Pet Advisor Blog
Tosa Dog – Dog Breed Guide
Breed summary
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Introduction
Tosa Inu, Tosa Ken, Japanese Tosa and USA Tosa are some of the popular names of the Tosa dog breed. Tosa is the traditional and ceremonial dog fighting breed of Japan.
There are currently two varieties of Tosa being breed today:
- The USA Tosa which averages between 90 to 170 pounds;
- The Japanese Tosa, a significantly lighter variety weighing just 66 to 88 pounds.
This mastiff breed is also group according to weight classes. Following their blood sports heritage Tosa are grouped as:
- Lightweight
- Middleweight
- Heavyweight.
Official Name
Tosa
The Tosa dog breed also goes by other names including Japanese Tosa, Tosa-Inu, Tosa-Ken and USA Tosa.
Origin
Date – Before the 14th Century
Country – Japan
Family / Group – Mastiff
History
The Japanese ceremonial fighting dog of Japan, the Tosa dogs owes its existence to Commodore Perry. It is through Perry that Japan, which was then considered as an isolated and hermit island nation, to finally open up to the world through trade and commerce. The Japanese dog breeders and fans of dogfighting started the Tosa dog’s development in 1854, a time when foreign dog breeds such as Mastiffs, Bulldogs, German Pointers, Great Danes and many others were made available to the local breeders. They crossed the mentioned foreign breeds with the local Shikoku dogs. Their goal? To produce the canine counterpart of the strong and massive sumo wrestler. Before World War II, Tosa dogs were the preferred choice of dogs to use in Japanese ceremonial dog fights. After the war, these dogs nearly went extinct and were only saved through the initiative of Japanese and American dog breeders. Today they are being bred as guardian dogs rather than for blood sports entertainment.
Personality
The Tosa may be Japanese dog-fighting Sumo giants, but this dog breed is surprisingly reserved and very quiet in stature. Tosa will show affection and devotion towards their friends and families. These dogs will be aloof when around strangers. They are highly trainable, but even the most well trained Tosa dog should be supervised when around other dogs. Their natural instinct to fight makes these dogs highly aggressive.
Bred For
The Tosa was bred to be the sumo wrestlers of the Japanese dogfighting world. These dogs are also used as guard dogs.
Environment
The Tosa can be good apartment dogs as long as the owners give them sufficient exercise.
Grooming
The Tosa dog is covered with a short coat that is very easy to groom and maintain. These are mastiff dogs so drooling should be expected. They are dogs that shed hair lightly.
Training
Tosa dogs are primarily traditional Japanese fighting dogs trained specifically for blood sports. They can be well trained but their aggression as natural pit fighters may cause problems during training.
Health
Eye problems, hip and elbow dysplasia and bloat are the most common health problems that plague the Tosa dog
Exercise
The Tosa needs to go on a daily walk or jog and should be trained vigorously to maintain its muscular stance and physical prowess.