FCI-Standard No. 260 / 09.12.1997 / GB - Tosa

FCI-Standard No 260 / 09.12.1997 / GB

ORIGIN : Japan.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 09.12.1997.

UTILIZATION : Formerly fighting dog, nowadays watchdog.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer- Molossoid breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs and other breeds. Section 2.1 Molossoid breeds, Mastiff type. Without working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY

Japan has a long history of dog fighting, 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.

BEHAVIOUR AND TEMPERAMENT

The temperament is marked by patience, composure, boldness and courage.

HEAD

CRANIAL REGION
Skull : Broad.
Stop : Rather abrupt.

FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Large and black.
Muzzle : Moderately long. Nasal bridge staight.
Jaws : Upper and lower jaws strong.
Teeth : Strong with a scissor bite.
Eyes : Rather small, dark brown in colour 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.
Belly : 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 : Tightly closed. Pads thick and elastic. Nails hard and preferably dark in colour.

GAIT

Robust and powerful.

COAT

HAIR : Short, hard and dense.

COLOUR : 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.

  • Thin bone.
  • Snipy muzzle.
  • Slightly overshot or undershot bite.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS

  • Extremely overshot or undershot bite.
  • Shyness.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.