Tosa
The essentials on the Tosa: size, FCI group, how long it lives on average, dogs to adopt and other owners of the breed to swap experiences with.
- Size
- Giant
- FCI group
- Group 2
- FCI no.
- 260
- Origin
- Japan
- Kept for
- Mastiff type
- Recognised by
- FCI
Thinking of a Tosa? Start with adoption
Purebred and mixed-breed dogs are waiting for a home. The match quiz helps you see which dog fits your routine; an alert tells you when one turns up.
Screenings to discuss with the vet
We don’t have a health scheme of the Tosa’s own. These are the screenings the Uau health plan suggests for a giant dog, plus the ones every dog gets.
- TeethEvery dogFrom 12 months, every 12 months
- HipsBy sizeOnce, from 18 months
- ElbowsBy sizeOnce, from 18 months
- Senior check-upBy sizeFrom 6 years, every 6 months
For a dog this size, senior check-ups start at around 6 years (AAHA 2023).
This is a signal from the breed's population, not a diagnosis or a forecast for your dog. Many dogs never have problems in these areas. Take the list to your next visit: the vet decides what to do and when.
In Uau, your dog's health plan puts these tests on the right dates for their age.
Add my dogHealth scheme sources
What the law asks: Portugal
In Portugal, the Tosa (and crosses of the listed breeds) is on the list of potentially dangerous breeds. If you keep one, you need:
- a keeping licence from your parish council (junta de freguesia)
- civil liability insurance
- a muzzle and a short leash in the street and public spaces
- obedience training for the dog
This is what the law asks, not a judgement on your dog's temperament. Check the details with your parish council or your vet.
7 breeds on the list
- Fila Brasileiro
- Dogo Argentino
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Rottweiler
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tosa Inu
Sources read on October 31, 2026: Portaria n.º 422/2004 · Decreto-Lei n.º 315/2009 · Lei n.º 46/2013
Do you breed or foster the Tosa?
Where this data comes from
Names, group, size and origin are nomenclature facts; we never copy the breed’s official standard. The writing on this page is ours.
Nomenclature entry, still under editorial review by our team.