Dog Breed Information, Description, Origin, History, Temperament, Height, Weight, Exercise, Life, Group, Articles, Health, Books, Photos, Posters,
Wallpapers, Training, Dog names, Links and more.
The Tosa is a breed of dog of Japanese origin that is considered rare. It was originally bred in Tosa (present day Kochi ) as a fighting dog and still is today. Other names (Tosa Inu, Tosa Ken, Tosa Token, Tohn, Tosita, Sunamor, Kiu kiu, Samor, Cochito, Un Bibis, Otro Bibis, UnOtroBibis, Mehen, Japanese Fighting Dog, Japanese Mastiff, Tosa Fighting Dog, Japanese Tosa).
Tosas have sadly become one of the new targets in modern dogfights; this is due to their impressive stamina, powerful bite and agility despite their large size. Their high price, however, prevents them from being used in great numbers like the pitbull. They are thought of as the greatest fighting dog breed in the world.
The Tosa varies considerably in size, with the
Japanese-bred dogs tend to be about half the size of those
bred outside the country. The Japanese breed generally weighs
between 66 and 88 lb (30 to 40 kg), while the non-Japanese
breeders have focused on dogs that weight from 197 to 200 lb
(89.5 to 90.5 kg) and stand 24.5 to 25.5 (62 to 65 cm) inches
at the withers.
The coat is characterized by its short and smooth
appearance and is often red, brindle, or fawn. Occasionally it
can be a dull black, but this is somewhat rare. Maintenance of
the coat is usually minimal. The Tosa also interestingly bears
many facial similarites with the Rhodesian Ridgeback among
other dogs.
Temperament: Befitting of its origins as a fighting
dog, the Tosa Inu is not a dog for the novice owner. It is
driven not only to scrap with other dogs, but also with cats,
as well as with other small animals. It is a large breed and
can be extremely difficult to control.
History: This breed originated in the second half of
the nineteenth century. The breed started from the native
Shikoku-Inu, an indigenous dog weighing about 25 kilograms and
standing about 55 centimetres high, which closely resembles
the European Spitz. These dogs were crossed with European dog
breeds, such as the Bulldog in 1872, Mastiff in 1874, St.
Bernard, German Pointer in 1876, Great Dane in 1924, and the
Bull Terrier.
The aim was to breed a larger, more powerful fighting dog.
The heyday of Tosa breeding was between 1924 and 1933, when it
was said that there were more than 5,000 Tosa breeders in
Japan.
Sumo wrestling: In Japan this breed is also called
Sumo Dog. Sumo fighters are Japanese wrestlers who engage in a
very unusual style of wrestling that is already over 1,500
years old. The objective of sumo wrestling is always to stay
on your feet despite your opponent's attacks and not to allow
your opponent to pin you to the floor or drive you from the
ring.
This sumo wrestling is also the basis for the traditional
Japanese dog fight. The Tosa is thus a "wrestling
dog", and the fights are carried out according to sumo
rules. The winner is the dog that presses its opponent to the
ground with its body, knocks it off its feet, and holds it to
the ground. Biting and growling dogs are disqualified and are
banned from further competition.
Tosa who were successful in the sumo fight received a
valuable, beautifully decorated cloth apron with the crowning
touch of an elaborately braided, thick hemp rope. What was
demanded was not the wild fighter, the mauler, but the
physically strong dog, courage paired with skill, patience and
stamina.
For foreigners it is hard to comprehend how it is possible
to transform a dog breed into a wrestler. This entails going
against the dog's natural instincts, against every normal
fighting technique of a dog. It seems a likely supposition
that dogs that were unsuitable for such fights were used in
"normal" dog fights.
There have been few specimens abroad so far and only
initial attempts at breeding. Despite its claimed history,
there remains the suspicion that these dogs as a rule also
would rather bite than wrestle.
HeyDogs is an easy to use site that keeps both dog professionals and dog enthusiasts up to date on the latest information on dogs. You can find the best in dog training, behavior, natural health, agility, clicker training, and other dog related topics
Looking for the perfect
Dog name? Dogs names for your new Puppy.
Browse thousands of Dog names, names for both male
and female dogs, Start looking by clicking on a
letter!
Hi Cats is a website you can find extensive information on all Cat Breeds, Articles, Health, Books, Photos, Desktop Wallpapers, Posters, Training, Cats names, Links and more.
HeyDogs.com Dog Breeds Information
Guide menu 
