Tosa (dog)

Tosa
Other names Tosa Inu
Tosa Ken
Tosa Tōken
Japanese Fighting Dog
Japanese Mastiff
Tosa Fighting Dog
Japanese Tosa
Origin Japan
Classification / standards
FCI Group 2, Section 2.1 Molossian: Mastiff type #260 standard
AKC FSS
The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration.
UKC Guardian Dog standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Tosa (土佐, also called the Tosa Inu or Japanese Mastiff) is a breed of dog of Japanese origin that is considered rare. It was originally bred in Tosa (present day Kōchi) as a fighting dog and still is today.

Appearance

The Tosa varies considerably in size, with the Japanese-bred dogs tending to be about half the size of those bred outside the country. The Japanese breed generally weighs between 36 and 61 kilograms (80 and 135 lb), while the non-Japanese breeders have focused on dogs that weigh from 60 to 90 kg (130 to 200 lb) and stand 62 to 82 cm (24 to 32 in) 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.

History

The head of a Tosa

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 (45 pounds) and standing about 55 centimetres high, which closely resembles the European Spitz. These dogs were crossed with European dog breeds, such as the Old English 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 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.

Tosa Inu puppies 4 months

Ownership of Tosas is legally restricted in certain jurisdictions. In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ownership is regulated under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, and in Trinidad & Tobago under the Dangerous Dogs Act 2000.[1] A specific exemption of a British court is required to own and import Tosas legally in the UK.[2] Some insurance companies will not insure homes with dog breeds deemed dangerous. The Australian Customs Service prohibits the import of Tosas, along with other dog breeds considered dangerous, into Australia.

The Tosa is one of eleven breeds of dog banned in 2007 by the Dublin City Council from their properties, including council houses, flats and estates.

The breed is illegal/banned in:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Act No. 32 of 2000, Legal Supplement Part A" (PDF). Trinidad and Tobago Gazette. Fifth Session Fifth Parliament Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. 39 (156). 16 August 2000. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "Dangerous Dogs Act 1991". London: HMSO/National Archives. 1991. Chapter 65. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  3. ↑ "Importation of Pets in Malta". MFGC. 2 March 2010. Archived from the original on 5 November 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  4. ↑ "Hayvanları Koruma Kanunu". Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  5. ↑ "Vejledning om hundelovens forbudsordning" (in Danish). Justitsministeriet. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
  6. ↑ "Fiji Pet Passport Regulations". Pet Travel, Inc. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  7. ↑ "Forskrift om hunder". Lovdata. 2009-08-25. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  8. ↑ "Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore List of Scheduled Dogs" (PDF). ava. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  9. ↑ "Hayvanları Koruma Kanunu". Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  10. ↑ "Prohibitions et restrictions". Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  11. ↑ https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs

Notes

  1. ^ Fogle, Bruce, DVM (2000). The New Encyclopedia of the Dog. Doring Kindersley (DK). ISBN 0-7894-6130-7.
  2. ^ Cunliffe, Juliette (2004). The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. Parragon Publishing. ISBN 0-7525-8276-3.
  3. ^ Australian customs web page on dog importation
  4. ^ Ireland.com report on Dublin City Council ban
  5. ^ The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs rules on dog control
  6. ^ REGLUGERÐ um innflutning gæludýra og hundasæðis. As on 24 December 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010
  7. ^ Hvaða hundar eða hundakyn eru bönnuð á Íslandi? As on 24 December 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010

Further reading

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