ORIGIN Japan.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD O9.12.I997~
UTILIZATION Formerly fighting dog, nowadays watchdog.
FCI CLASSIFICATION Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer type. Molossian type and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs. Section 2.1 Molossian type. Mastiff type. Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY Japan has a long history of dog lighting, beginning in the 14th century. With such a history in the background. this breed was produced as a hybrid of Shikoku-ken and Western breeds. Named after the area where they were bred. these dogs are sometimes called 'Japanese Mastiffs'. The Western dogs used for creating the breed were Bulldogs (1872), Mastiffs
(1874). German Pointers (1876) and Great Danes (1924), all of which were used to improve the breed by sequential mating. According to some accounts, St.Bernards and Bull Terriers were also involved, but it is not known in what years they were used. The Tosa's established features of stamina and the fighting instinct typically found in Mastiffs may be attributed to the involvement of such breeds.
GENERAL APPEARANCE Large-sized dog with a stately manner and robust build. The dog has hanging ears, short hair, a square muzzle and hanging tail thick at the root.
BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT The temperament is marked b) patience. composure. boldness and courage.
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Broad.
Stop : Rather abrupt.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose : Large and black.
Muzzle : Moderately long. Nasal bridge straight.
Jaws : Upper and lower jaws strong.
Teeth: Strong with a scissor bite.
Eyes : Rather small, dark brown in color with a dignified expression.
Ears : Relatively small, rather thin, set high on the skull sides, hanging close to the cheeks.
NECK Muscular. with a dewlap.
BODY:
Withers : High.
Back : Level and straight.
Loins : Broad. muscular.
Croup : Slightly arched at the top.
Chest : Broad and deep, ribs moderately sprung.
Bell . Well drawn up.
TAIL : Thick at the root, tapering towards the tip, reaching the hocks when let down.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS:
Shoulder : Moderately sloping.
Forearm : Straight, moderately long and strong.
Pastern : Slightly inclining and robust.
HINDQUARTERS:
Muscles very, developed Joints of stifle and hock moderately angulated, strong.
FEET: Lightly closed. Pads thick and elastic. Nails hard and preferable dark in color.
GAIT: Robust and powerful.
COAT
HAIR: Short. hard and dense.
COLOR: Red, fawn, apricot, black, brindle. Slight white markings on chest and feet are permitted
SIZE Minimum height at withers for dogs 60 cm; for bitches 55 cm
FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered as a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
пїЅ Thin bone.
пїЅ Snipy muzzle.
пїЅ Slightly overshot or undershot bite.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
пїЅ Extremely overshot or undershot bite.
пїЅ Shyness.
N.B. Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.