The Tosa is a Japanese breed of dog, at least 1,000 years old. They were traditionally used for dog fighting, and
through the centuries the breed has changed from a small spitz type to today’s large and muscular dog.
Before the start of WWII there were thousands of Tosa breeders in Japan,
but when the country entered the war they made dog fighting illegal. In
an attempt to discourage illegal fights, raising dogs of 150 lbs was also
made illegal. The breed would have gone extinct, but a few of the most
passionate breeders smuggled the last remaining dogs to northern Japan
and hid them until the end of the war.
Today, the breed has split into two groups. The Japanese bred are smaller and
generally weighs between 80 and 135 lbs. Non-Japanese bred weigh between
135 and 200 lbs. With such a massive size it’s a good thing that they’re known
for having a stable temperament. Back in the day when the Tosa was bred for
dog fighting they had to be quiet, because Japanese rules demanded silence.
To this day they rarely bark, but when they do it’s a deep rumbling sound
that combined with the massive size efficiently keeps intruders away.
These dogs are known to be fearless, brave, and
intelligent. They are loyal to their family, but like
all breeds they require training and socialization.
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