Tosa-Pei

The Tosa, also known as the Tosa Inu or Japanese Mastiff, is a giant breed that commands immediate attention with its powerful, imposing physique. Standing between 24 and 32 inches at the shoulder, this breed displays significant variation in size depending on breeding region and lineage. Japanese-bred Tosas typically weigh between 80 and 135 pounds, while Western-bred specimens can reach an impressive 130 to 200 pounds. Males are consistently larger and heavier than females across all breeding lines. The breed possesses a remarkably muscular build with a broad chest, strong legs, and substantial bone structure throughout the body. The overall silhouette projects strength, athleticism, and dignified power that reflects the breed's heritage as a formidable guardian and working dog. The Tosa's coat is short, dense, and lies close to the body, requiring minimal grooming maintenance. Accepted coat colors include red, fawn, apricot, black, and brindle, with red being particularly prized in the show ring. Some specimens may display small white markings on the chest or feet. The head is large and broad with a distinctive square muzzle, powerful jaws, and a moderately defined stop. The ears are relatively small, thin, and hang close to the cheeks, adding to the breed's dignified expression. Dark brown eyes are set moderately apart and convey an alert, intelligent expression that reflects the breed's watchful nature. The Tosa's movement is smooth and powerful, demonstrating both strength and surprising agility for a dog of this size. The tail is thick at the base and tapers to a point, typically carried low when relaxed but raised when alert or excited. The breed's dewlap, the loose skin around the neck and throat, is a characteristic feature that adds to its distinctive appearance. Despite their massive size, well-bred Tosas should appear balanced and athletic rather than cumbersome or overly heavy, capable of sustained physical activity when properly conditioned and exercised.

The Shar Pei is a medium-sized dog instantly recognizable by its distinctive deeply wrinkled skin and unique appearance. Standing between 17 and 20 inches at the shoulder and weighing 40 to 65 pounds, this compact yet substantial breed presents a solid, well-balanced silhouette. The most striking feature of the Shar Pei is undoubtedly its loose, wrinkled skin, which is particularly abundant on the head, neck, and shoulders of puppies. This excessive wrinkling is caused by an inherited condition called hyaluronosis, which results in elevated levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin. As dogs mature, the wrinkles typically become less pronounced on the body while remaining prominent on the head and face. The Shar Pei's coat is short and harsh to the touch, with no undercoat in the brush coat variety, though the horse coat variety features an even shorter, pricklier texture. Accepted colors span a wide range including cream, fawn, red, sable, black, chocolate, blue, and lilac, with solid colors preferred in the show ring. A distinctive feature of the breed is the blue-black tongue, shared only with the Chow Chow among dog breeds. The head is large with a broad, flat skull and a wide muzzle often described as hippopotamus-like. Small, triangular ears sit high on the head and fold forward, while deeply set, small eyes give the breed its characteristic frowning expression. Two distinct types of Shar Pei have developed over time: the traditional bone-mouth type, which features a more moderate head and fewer wrinkles, and the meat-mouth type popularized in Western breeding programs, which displays more exaggerated features including a heavier muzzle and more abundant skin folds. The Shar Pei's tail is thick and round at the base, set very high and curls over the back in a characteristic fashion. The overall impression is of a compact, alert dog with a confident stance and dignified bearing. Movement should be free and balanced, with good reach and drive, though the loose skin should not impede the dog's natural movement or cause discomfort.