The tosa was developed in Japan during the late 1800s and early 1900s to create a formidable competitor in dog fighting rings. It was developed by breeding mastiffs, great Danes, St. Bernards, bulldogs and bull terriers with native Japanese fighting dogs, the Kochi. The result was a silent combatant that could fight relentlessly. Today, dog fighting is illegal in Japan, Europe and North America. The Tosa is currently registered in the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service program, which is the first step toward gaining official breed recognition in the future.
The Tosa, or Japanese Mastiff, is a large, sturdy dog breed. Tosas have large, massive heads with square muzzles and medium-sized pendant ears. Their legs are strong and powerful. The Tosa's coat is short, flat and dense and is easy to groom. The coat should be brushed regularly.
Personality
If well socialized and trained, Tosas are gentle, obedient and affectionate. They need to be taken out for daily walks or jogs and enjoy spending time outdoors. The Tosa is very intelligent and independent and needs consistent, assertive leadership. This is not a dog for a novice dog owner. Tosas are protective and may be aggressive towards other dogs or people if they are handled poorly.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 10-12 Years |
| Nicknames: | Tosa inu, Tosa token, Japanese tosa, Japanese mastiff, Tosa ken |
Tosa Inu Build Information
This giant breed weighs between 100 and 200 pounds. Standing at 24 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder, the tosa is covered in a short coat that may be solid fawn, red, yellow, apricot, blue or black in color. The coat may also exhibit a brindle pattern. White markings often adorn the chest and paws, and the tosa usually has a black mask. The earflaps hang downward, and the long tail also hangs downward with a slight curve. The Tosa, or Japanese Mastiff, is a large, sturdy dog breed. Tosas have large, massive heads with square muzzles and medium-sized pendant ears. Their legs are strong and powerful. The Tosa's coat is short, flat and dense and is easy to groom. The coat should be brushed regularly.
| Size: | Giant |
Behaviour and Personality
The tosa is a fearless and protective guard dog with a deep and menacing bark to ward off intruders. Tosas must be trained and socialized at an early age by a strong and authoritative owner who can assume and maintain the dominant alpha role at all times. With proper training, the tosa makes a gentle companion that gets along with children, but it is not recommended in homes with other pets. Tosas need to be provided with daily physical and mental stimulation. Owners must never yield and give the dog reason to believe that it can become the pack leader. Tosas can be reserved with strangers. They should not be given opportunities to interact with other dogs that may have tendencies to fight. If well socialized and trained, Tosas are gentle, obedient and affectionate. They need to be taken out for daily walks or jogs and enjoy spending time outdoors. The Tosa is very intelligent and independent and needs consistent, assertive leadership. This is not a dog for a novice dog owner. Tosas are protective and may be aggressive towards other dogs or people if they are handled poorly.
| Activity Level: | Moderately Active |
| Affection Level: | Moderate Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Moderate Friendly |
Appearance
Tosas do not require much grooming. Going over the dog once a week with a grooming mitt will remove dead hairs and redistribute the natural oils to maintain healthy skin and the smooth coat’s glossy sheen. Inspect the tosa’s ears weekly for debris. Clean them if necessary and keep them dry to reduce the chances of ear infections. Reduce plaque buildup and periodontal disease by brushing the teeth three times a week.
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
Tosa Inu Common Health Conditions
Tosas live average lifespans of 10 to 12 years. Some health conditions to which the tosa is prone include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, entropion, progressive retinal atrophy and gastric torsion, or bloat.
Tosa Inu Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The tosa makes a devoted and effective guard dog. It can also be a docile companion, but only when diligently trained and socialized by a dedicated and experienced owner who can maintain the dominant role at all times. The tosa originated in Japan. The tosa is also called a tosa inu, a tosa token, a Japanese tosa, a Japanese mastiff and a tosa ken. The rare tosa can be an obedient and loyal companion when raised by a strong, authoritative and experienced dog handler who can assume the alpha role. The tosa stands 24 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 100 to 200 pounds. The tosa has a moderate energy level. The tosa requires minimal grooming. The average lifespan for a tosa is 10 to 12 years.
| Training: | Hard |