Tosa Inu Breed information & Pictures

Tosa Inu Breed Description

Life Expectancy
10-12 years

Learning Rate
High

Litter Size
5 to 10

Size
Huge

Weight
Dogs: 120-170 pounds
Bitches: 90-140 pounds

Height
Dogs: 23-25 inches
Bitches: 21-24 inches

Country of Origin
Japan, in the late 1800's

Groups
FCI Group II.: Pinscher and Schnauzer- Molossoid Breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs

Other Names
Japanese Tosa, Japanese Mastiff, Tosa Ken

The Tosa Inu is a large, short-coated dog with a stately manner and a robust, powerful, and agile body. Its body is slightly longer than tall. The head is large and broad with a boxy muzzle, pendulous flews, and clearly observable dewlap. It is athletic and surprisingly agile.

The jaws are very powerful. Overall appearance should be that of a massive but dynamic and flexible athlete, a true canine samurai. The Tosa Inu is a tranquil, quiet, and obedient dog with a calm but vigilant demeanor.

Temperament

The Tosa Inu is a brave, fearless and bold dog. The Tosa Inu is quietly affectionate with its own family. This breed is exceptionally quiet, calm and patient. It has been bred to be a very quiet dog because Japanese dog-fighting rules require the dogs to fight silently. This dog is highly intelligent and doesn’t need repetitious training, but does require an equable, consistent, friendly approach.

It responds best to positive-enforced training methods because of an inherent desire to please its owner. The owner must learn to control this dog, as it is too large and strong to be unmannerly. This dog requires a strong and experienced owner capable of dealing with a large, powerful animal.

With proper training and control, the Tosa Inu can be a good family companion. The Tosa Inu shows remarkable acceptance of children and will not snap or bite from fear or pain. However, due to its size, it should not be left with children unsupervised.

They make excellent home and family protectors and companions. The sheer size of this dog and its deep bark are effective deterrents. It is reserved with strangers, but will accept newcomers if properly introduced. It tends to be fairly dog aggressive, but it gets along with other dogs and pets only when raised with them from puppyhood.

Colors

Solid red, though black, yellow, black & tan, fawn, brindle and multi-colored is also permissible.

Coat

Short-haired, dense, harsh coat. It is easy to groom. An occasional brushing to remove dead and loose hair is all that is needed to keep the coat looking good. Unlike many other mastiff-type dogs, the Tosa Inu does not drool. This breed is a light shedder.

Health Issues

Generally healthy, however Twisted stomachs should be watched for. This breed is prone to bloat; it is best to feed it two or three small meals a day instead of one large meal. Avoid vigorous exercise right after the dog has eaten a big meal. Ask about bloat in the lines. Bloat can be a major problem in these large dogs. To minimize the risk of your Tosa developing any hereditary health issues, you should buy a Tosa Inu dog from a reputable breeder.

Living Environment

Although it takes up a relatively large space, the Tosa will be fine in an apartment as long as it gets regular exercise and outdoor exposures in even a small yard. When placed in a kennel, it will become unhappy, as it loves to be close to its humans.