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DogsPlanet » Breeds » Tosa Inu

Tosa Inu

Japanese Fighting Dog, Japanese Mastiff, Sumo, Tosa

The Tosa Inu's bad reputation is greatly harming the breed. Like the Rottweiler, Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Great Dane or other dog that was used for fighting in another era, the Tosa Inu is generally frightening. Any dog connoisseur knows very well that it is the master who will make all the difference. Whether big or small, the dog can become a formidable weapon when placed in the wrong hands. However, the Tosa Inu will be loyal, faithful and will protect whoever loves him and will treat them with the utmost respect.

Height 55 to 80 cm

Weight 36 to 65 kg

Life expectancy 10 to 12 years

Home country Japan

Index

Personality Appearance Price Tips Health History

Quick Overview of the Tosa Inu

Temperament

Courageous and brave
Calm and serene
Very obedient
Loyal and honest

Appearance

Impressive appearance
Quite vigorous
Proud and very worthy

Health

No particular pathology
Excellent health
Very robust

Temperament of the Tosa Inu

Courageous and brave, the Tosa Inu is also calm, serene, quiet and very obedient. His behavior is always measured, even in combat.

Courage, composure and boldness characterize him very well. Patient and very calm, the Tosa Inu is quite suspicious of strangers.

Even if he is in complete control of his actions, he can get fearsome if he feels the need. He can become an excellent companion dog, but will need a good education to counter his strong temperament.

Breed Appearance

This huge, very robust dog has a rather impressive appearance. Brave and vigorous, the Tosa Inu combines elegance, strength and dignity.

Height

Between 60 and 80 cm (23.62 to 31.50 inches) for the male
Between 55 and 70 cm (21.65 to 27.56 inches) for the female

Weight

Between 36 and 61 kg (79.37 to 134.48 pounds) for the male
Between 40 and 65 kg (88.18 to 143.30 pounds) for the female

Color

The most popular coat is the one with a uniform reddish colour. White patches are allowed for this breed, as are red patches on a white background.

Hair

His short coat is strong and tight.

Morphology

His head has a large skull with a very pronounced stop. His small eyes are brown to dark brown color. His short ears are rather thin. They fall against the cheeks.
His large nose is black. His strong tail tapers towards the tip and is carried hanging down to the hock.

According to the FCI breeds nomenclature, this breed belongs to group 2, section 2 and is #260

Price and monthly budget

Tips About this breed

The Tosa Inu can live just about anywhere, but his large size can sometimes limit access to certain areas.

Happy both indoors and outdoors, and since he doesn't need a lot of exercise, all situations are suitable for him.

Well-educated, the Tosa Inu is extremely docile. His tranquility and calmness are perfect for the family. If he is well treated and loved, he becomes the kindest of companions.

Because he is a very strong dog, he can become fearsome if placed in the wrong hands. If his education is aimed at exacerbating his aggressiveness or if he is mistreated, he can even become dangerous.

Health of the Tosa Inu

No pathology affects the race. He is very robust and generally enjoys excellent health.

GROOMING

He doesn't really need any maintenance, except for a good brushing from time to time.

History of this breed

Created in Japan, more precisely in the town of Tosa on the island of Shikoku, this dog is a favorite of the Japanese mafia (the Yakuza), probably due to his large size and fearsome appearance.

Towards the end of the 19th century, crossbreeding took place between the Shikoku Ken (Japanese dog) and European dogs such as the Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Mastiff, Saint Bernard, German Pointer and Great Dane.

The result was the Tosa Inu as we know him today. Dog fighting is a tradition in Japan that dates back to the 14th century.

The original goal in the creation of the Tosa Inu was to obtain a fighting dog that was virtually unbeatable in the bloody and cruel fights of the era when one's death became the other's victory.

The Tosa Inu's natural abilities are still guard and defense. Even today, he is used mainly for guarding, but can also make an excellent companion if properly trained.