Tosa — breed standard (FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Tosa — breed standard (FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Claims

• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The Tosa is recognised under FCI Standard N° 260, originating in Japan and published 09.12.1997; it was formerly a fighting dog and is now kept as a watchdog.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Under FCI the breed falls in Group 2 (Pinscher/Schnauzer and Molossoid breeds together with Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs); its precise placing is Section 2.1 for Mastiff-type Molossoids, and no working trial is required.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The breed is a large, stately dog of robust build with hanging ears, short hair, a square muzzle and a thick-rooted hanging tail that reaches the hocks. Its history traces to 14th-century Japanese dog fighting, a mix of the Shikoku-ken with Western breeds (Bulldog 1872, Mastiff 1874, German Pointer 1876, Great Dane 1924); St. Bernards and Bull Terriers may also have contributed.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The head has a broad skull and rather abrupt stop; the nose is large and black, the muzzle moderately long with a straight bridge, the jaws strong with a scissor bite. Eyes are rather small, dark brown and dignified; ears relatively small, thin and set high, hanging close to the cheeks. The neck is muscular with a dewlap.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The body shows high withers, a level straight back, broad muscular loins and a slightly arched croup; the chest is broad and deep with moderately sprung ribs and a tucked-up belly. The gait is robust and powerful.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The coat is short, hard and dense. Acceptable colours are red, fawn, apricot, black and brindle, with slight white on chest and feet allowed. Minimum height at the withers is 60 cm for dogs and 55 cm for bitches.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Temperament is marked by patience, composure, boldness and courage. Disqualifying faults include aggression or extreme shyness, any clearly abnormal physical or behavioural trait, and a severely overshot or undershot bite.