FCI 266
ORIGIN
: Japan.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE
ORIGINAL VALID
STANDARD : 09.12.1997.
UTILIZATION
: Formerly fighting dog, nowadays watchdog.
FCI CLASSIFICATION
: 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/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.
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