The origin of the Japanese Tosa Inu breed, the standard of the exterior, character, health, advice on care and training, interesting facts. Price when buying a Tosa Inu puppy. Tosa Inu is a dignified silent dog of enormous height and athletic build. The one and only mastiff of the mysterious Land of the Rising Sun - Japan.
A dog with a unique exterior and a worthy "samurai" character of a hardened fighter. A dog that has brought together all the best qualities of fighting dogs in Europe and Asia, has become a symbol of invincibility and courage, a national legend of Japan.
The origin story of the Tosa Inu mastiff
The Japanese Tosa Inu Mastiff is the only Molossian breed bred in Japan. Despite the fact that the breed is the only one, it has plenty of names. Here are just a few of them: Tosa Inu, Japanese Fighting Dog, Tosa Ken, Tosa Token, Japanese Tosa, Tosa Sumatori (Sumo wrestler), samurai dog, Sumo dog. Such an abundance of names and epithets dedicated to only one dog is, of course, an indicator. An indicator of how important and dear the Tosa-ken mastiff is to the Japanese.
Modern cynologists of Japan associate the history of the origin of the Japanese mastiff with the appearance of the first Europeans on the shores of the Land of the Rising Sun in the middle of the 16th century: the Portuguese and the Dutch. It was then that the population of the archipelago, hitherto unknown to Europeans, first met the large Molossian dogs of Europe. It is likely that the first molossians to appear on the shores of Japan were a wide variety of breed dogs, mastiffs and bulldogs.
This is not to say that before that the population of Japan did not know dogs. Dogs were and were actively used by local residents for hunting. True, they were not so large and looked more like a wolf. There were also animals specially trained for combat - the so-called Laikoids from the province of Shikoku, which were called Shikoku. Shikoku dogs were specially bred for dog fighting and for hunting wild boar. The largest specimens of Shikoku were in the service of the samurai as fighting dogs and were actively used during the endless feudal wars.
In the middle of the 19th century, Japan finally "opened" itself to the world. Active trade began. Many goods imported by traders were for the Japanese a real exotic exotic. And the dogs brought by Europeans from the continent amazed the Japanese at all with their huge size and excellent fighting qualities. The national fighting breed of Japan that existed at that time was consistently losing battles with these dog-like European heavyweights. Huge mastiffs overwhelmed rivals with their weight and power, and tenacious bulldogs took the upper hand due to endurance, strong grip and absolute contempt for pain.
Of course, constant defeats prompted the Japanese to create their own breed of fighting dog, capable of combining all the best qualities of both the native breed and the imported "aliens". And yet, the Japanese wanted to create a breed that is not only able to fight steadily, but also tacitly despise wounds and death, without betraying their fear, as befits a real samurai.
To obtain a new breed, breeding experiments began immediately on crossing aboriginal dogs with foreign molossi. All work on the dog took place in an atmosphere of strict secrecy. It is worth noting that the secretive Japanese still (even after almost 150 years have passed since the publication of the breed) have not published any official materials related to the creation of the Tosa Inu. Who knows, perhaps we would never have known which species of dogs were involved in breeding, if not for the achievements of modern genetics. As DNA analysis showed, the origin of the Tosa Ken was involved: the Japanese Shikoku (which, probably, was taken as a basis), the English mastiff and the bulldog, the Danish mastiff, the St. Bernard, the bull terrier and even the German pointer. However, many researchers of the topic (depending on nationality and personal preferences) think differently, linking the origin of the Japanese mastiff with completely different dog breeds and aboriginal species.
Be that as it may, and in 1868 a group of breeders from the south of the island of Shikoku from the province of Tosa presented the first representatives of a new selected breed. New fighting dogs, possessing completely unique qualities, immediately gained popularity among the samurai elite of the country.
Well, by 1925 the breed received its first breeding standard. In 1930, the first canine association was created in Japan to develop and popularize Japan's national pride - the Japanese mastiff Tosa.
During the Second World War, as well as in the hungry post-war years, many Tosa dogs died. But thanks to the active actions of the members of the association, some of the most thoroughbred individuals (about 12 pieces) were evacuated to the north of Japan in the Aomori prefecture, which practically did not suffer from hostilities, bombing and hunger. And although the Tosa Inu dogs were part of the national treasure of Japan, some dogs during the war years were still illegally exported from the country, ending up on the territory of Korea and on the island of Taiwan. However, in the future this served as a good service in the post-war restoration of the population of Japanese mastiffs.
The Japanese mastiff received international recognition and registration in the FCI only in 1976.
The Japanese traditionally clan-like breeding dogs. United in a kind of closed caste, breeders do not allow "outsiders" into it. The leader of such a clan single-handedly determines the tactics of breeding and keeping animals, decides on the breeding of dogs, their participation in tournaments and the possibility of selling them to other continents.
Tosa is the epitome of Japan's national pride and cultural heritage. Therefore, Japanese nurseries are extremely reluctant to export their mastiffs to other countries. And, despite the fact that Tosu Inu dogs are already bred in South Korea, Hawaii and Taiwan, real thoroughbred Tosu Sumatori that meet all the requirements, according to experts, are born only in Japan.
Purpose and use of Tosa Inu
The traditional purpose of the Japanese Mastiff is Sumo dog fighting. It was for this that it was created and is still actively used in its homeland. It is extremely rare for dogs of this breed in Japan to be found in any other capacity. Of the nearly ten thousand army of Tosa mastiffs living in the Japanese archipelago, only a small (and probably the most selective) part of them serve as escort dogs or bodyguards for large bankers, industrialists or local mafiosi - yakuza.
But in the USA, South Korea, China and some European countries, where they are also engaged in breeding Tosa Inu (albeit in small quantities), these mastiffs are often given birth as a companion dog or a reliable bodyguard. True, the exterior, size and especially the upbringing of these dogs are significantly inferior to their Japanese aboriginal counterparts.
Tosa Inu external standard
The representative of the breed is a stately large dog with a strong build and stately manners of a true sumo wrestler. The size of the animal is really impressive. The height of an adult male reaches 60 centimeters at the withers (in bitches - up to 55 centimeters), and the weight can be 40 kg or more.
- Head large, voluminous, square, with a wide skull. The occipital protuberance is sufficiently developed. The stop (transition from the forehead to the muzzle) is sharp, clear. The muzzle is broad, of moderate length, with specific folds. The lips are dense, with flecks. The bridge of the nose is straight, wide, of medium length. The nose is large and black. The jaws are very powerful. The teeth are white, large, with large canines. The bite is dense, scissor-like.
- Eyes rounded, small or small, with oblique and not wide set. The color of the eyes is brown or dark brown. The eyes are expressive, attentive.
- Ears Set on high, small in size, slender, drooping, close to the cheekbones.
- Neck the Tosa Inu is strong and muscular, with a dewlap.
- Torso Molossian type, not too long in size, very strong, powerful, but not prone to fullness. The chest is deep and broad, well developed. The back is very strong, wide, flat and straight. The back line is straight. The croup is strong, short and convex. The belly is tucked up, athletic.
- Tail Set on high, thick at the base, rather long (up to the hock).
- Limbs straight, moderately long, strong, well muscled. The bones of the limbs are wide and strong. Feet are oval and tightly knit. The nails are black or dark in color.
- Wool short, hard, dense.
- Color dogs can be varied. The earlier standard allowed only two colors: fawn and red. Now this list has been significantly expanded. The standard allows for the following variations: reddish red, red, "young deer", soft apricot, brindle and uniform black. There may be a black or dark "muzzle-mask" on the dog's face. The presence of white spots (marks) on the chest and limbs is allowed.
The nature of the Tosa Inu
This is an absolutely fearless and samurai courageous breed. No wonder these silent giants are called "samurai in spirit." And although, this dog is intended almost exclusively for dog fighting, he also feels good in the role of an ordinary pet and companion. It should not be forgotten that the Tosa is a strong breed that obeys only a mentally and physically strong owner, capable of dominating his dog in any situation and confidently controlling his actions.
Tosa-sumatori refers to a balanced and self-possessed type of dog, not prone to the manifestation of "bad" aggression. And although the Japanese mastiffs always treat outsiders with a certain degree of distrust and are not inclined to allow the "outsider" to stroke them, nevertheless, they do not immediately rush into a fight. As experts of the breed note, Tosa Inu are always calm, like real samurai knights, but, like a cocked spring, they are constantly on the lookout. Their whole complacent appearance is nothing more than a deceptive image. The dog is constantly ready to attack and fight, which he always enters into without hesitation and with the maximum mood for victory.
Tosa Inu health
The lifespan of the Tosa Sumatori reaches 12 years. And this is pretty good for a large Molossian type dog, which has a number of breed predispositions to diseases inherited from a "hodgepodge" of various breeds.
One of the most common problems of Tosa Mastiffs is a predisposition to various kidney diseases. These are, first of all: urolithiasis and renal failure, often (with untimely treatment) leading to the death of the animal.
The second problem is heart failure, which is especially common in large Tos. This problem is perfectly regulated by the use of special drugs. It is important to detect the disease in time. To do this, a two-year-old dog needs to do an ultrasound of the heart with dopplerography and a cardiogram.
Also, the health problems of the Japanese mastiff are predisposition to dysplasia of the elbow and hip joints, to allergic dermatitis and follicular conjunctivitis. Tosa is a rather complicated dog in health and requires constant attention to itself.
Tosa Inu care tips
The Japanese keep all their principles, rules of keeping and caring for a "samurai dog" in clan secrets. And finding out these secrets in the near future is unlikely to work.
But it seems that, in general (except for a special combat specialization), they do not differ too much from the standard rules for caring for mastiffs and mastiffs, which have long been developed by specialist cynologists, veterinarians and nutritionists. Therefore, they are great for keeping the Japanese Mastiff.
Features of training and education of Tosa Inu
In Japan, special Tosa centers are engaged in the education and training of the dog-fighter Toso-sumatori. The training and training programs in them are as secret as possible.
In ordinary life, it is better to entrust a professional dog handler with experience in training Malossian-type fighting dogs to train a Tosa Inu, even as a pet or a show dog.
Interesting facts about Tosa Sumatori
In modern Japan, just as in the old days, dog fights are quite legally held. And it is all the more not surprising that they thrive in the same former Japanese province of Tosa, now part of the Kochi prefecture, from where the main and only Japanese moloss dog Tosa Inu originates. It is there, in the town of Katsurahama, that the Tosa-token Center is located - a place where toso fighting dogs are bred and trained. Dog fights are also held there, famous all over the world for their original Japanese style.
Unlike the bloody spectacles inherent in European and American versions of dog fights (often ending in the death of one of the rivals), the Japanese style resembles sumo wrestling. The task of the fighting mastiff in the ring is not to inflict fatal bites and injuries on the opponent (dogs are specially trained for this). The pestoss is simply obliged to knock down the enemy and hold him in this position for some time (usually 3-5 minutes). The dog fight itself lasts from 15 minutes to half an hour. And if during this time the winner is not determined, the fight will end anyway. A dog that growls, barks, whines, turns its tail towards the opponent or steps back three steps during the attack, is automatically considered a loser. And although scratches and abrasions for dogs still cannot be avoided, the whole fight, accompanied by beautiful ritual ceremonies, looks not like a bloody massacre, but like a sports competition, with a demonstration of strength and respect for the opponent, rules and traditions.
The winner dog (and only males participate in fights) receives the title "Yokasuma" ("winner of the ring") and a hemp wreath with samurai symbols. The dog that has become the absolute champion is awarded the honorary "blanket-apron" embroidered with gold and bright colored silk, and the title - "Yokozuna" ("great champion").
Price when buying a Tosa Inu puppy
In Russia, Japanese mastiffs are a rare breed of dog, however, as in the rest of the world. For example, in the United States, even if there are several nurseries in the states of Alabama, Georgia and the Hawaiian Islands, there are no more than two hundred Japanese mastiffs. What can we say about Russia. Despite the fact that the first Tosa Mastiffs appeared in Russia in 1993, in the entire vast country there are now, in fact, only one or two nurseries located in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In total, there are about two dozen Tosa-ken in the country. Therefore, you can even get to know the dogs of this breed better only during major metropolitan exhibitions. And to buy … Yes, and the quality of the puppies is significantly inferior to the Japanese version.
In Japan itself, buying a Tosa Inu is also almost unrealistic and very expensive, and even more so to take a dog out of the country. Therefore, it is considered optimal to buy Tosa puppies somewhere in Hungary, Ukraine or the Czech Republic. Well, for the inhabitants of Siberia and the Far East - in Korea or Taiwan.
The cost of a more or less thoroughbred Tosa dog starts at around $ 1200. A more promising puppy will cost US $ 2,000. Well, show-class puppies are much more expensive and are comparable in value with exorbitant Japanese prices.
What the Japanese Tosa Inu Mastiff looks like, see here:
