Comparison: Neapolitan Mastiff and Tosa

Neapolitan Mastiff and Tosa are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

Neapolitan Mastiff
Photo: Mastino_Napoletano_Rüde.JPG : 3268zauber derivative work: Anka Friedrich ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Tosa
Photo: BUKADAI..JPG : Ludivine HOUDAS derivative work: Caronna ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Neapolitan MastiffTosa
FCI group2. Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs2. Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
Country of originItalyJapan
CategoryLarge–
Height at withers60–75 cm–
Weight50–70 kg–
Recognition features
  • Large, heavy, massive dog with a long body and abundant loose skin
  • Head with pronounced wrinkles, hanging lips and dewlap
  • Short, hard coat in grey, lead, black, brown or fawn, also brindled
  • Large, robust, stately dog with hanging ears and a square muzzle
  • Short, hard, dense coat; red, fawn, apricot, black or brindle
  • Patient, composed, bold and courageous temperament
CoatShort, hard, dense coat of uniform length all over (1.5 cm max), without fringing; grey, lead grey, black, brown, fawn and deep fawn, often brindled; a small white chest patch is allowed.Short, hard, dense coat; red, fawn, apricot, black, brindle; slight white markings on chest and feet permitted.
PurposeAn Italian protection and guard dog, descendant of the Roman Mastiff; massive, with loose skin and wrinkles.A Japanese mastiff-type dog, formerly a fighting dog, now a watchdog; created by crossing the Shikoku-ken with Western breeds.

Breed page: Neapolitan Mastiff · Breed page: Tosa

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.