Dog Breed Guide
Tosa
Profile
- Size
- Extra Large
- Country of origin
- Japan
- Origin
- 19th century
- Bred for
- Dog fighting, Watchdog
- Height
- male 60cm (24in) and over, female 55cm (22in) and over
- Weight
- 40 - 90kg (88 - 198lb), varies widely
- Life span
- 10 - 12 years
A large Japanese dog with a broad head and a heavily muscled, solid body. Loose skin, drop ears and a dignified, imposing stance are its hallmarks. The short, hard coat comes in red, fawn, apricot, black and brindle.
The Tosa is patient, composed and loyal to its owner. As a fighting dog it was prized for a temperament that "does not bark, does not flinch and quietly endures," so it is usually very quiet. It is, however, extremely powerful and may be combative toward other dogs.
It demands an experienced, responsible owner, and early socialization along with reliable training and control are essential. It is somewhat sensitive to heat, and the joint problems common in large breeds are a concern.
Good to know
The Tosa was developed in the old province of Tosa, today's Kochi Prefecture, and is the best-known breed used for dog fighting in Japan. Originally, local medium-sized dogs (the ancestors of the Shikoku) were pitted against each other, but in the Meiji era breeders wanted bigger, stronger dogs and crossed them repeatedly with Western breeds such as the Mastiff, Bulldog and Great Dane. That is how the Tosa reached its present size, and why it is sometimes called the Japanese Mastiff abroad.
Tosa dog fighting has a ranking system just like sumo wrestling, with titles such as yokozuna and ozeki. A dog that reaches yokozuna wears an ornate ceremonial apron and performs a ring-entering ceremony. Bouts have their own etiquette, too: a dog loses the moment it cries out or turns its back.
Food shortages during World War II nearly wiped the breed out, and it almost vanished from Kochi, but it was revived from the few dogs that survived. Because of its strength, a number of countries restrict or ban keeping or importing it. In the United Kingdom it is one of the four breeds banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.