Tosa (dog breed)

{{Short description|Dog breed}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}    {{Infobox Dogbreed | image = File:BUKADAI 2.jpg | altname = Japanese Tosa<br/>Tosa Tōken (土佐闘犬)<br/>Japanese Fighting Dog<br/>Tosa Fighting Dog | country = Japan | name = Tosa  | kc_name = Japan Kennel Club | kc_std = https://www.jkc.or.jp/archives/world_dogs/2724 | fcistd = http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/260gb2002_en.doc }}

The '''Tosa'''{{efn|{{nihongo||土佐犬|Tosa Inu,<ref name=daijirin>{{cite book|script-title=ja:大辞林|publisher=Sanseidō|editor-last=Matsumura|editor-first=Akira|edition=4th|date=5 September 2019|lang=ja}}</ref><ref name=NHK>{{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|lang=ja}}</ref> Tosa-ken<ref name=NHK/>|{{IPA|ja|to.sa i.nɯ, -sa.keɴ|}}<ref name=daijirin/><ref name=NHK/>}}}}, also known as the '''Japanese Mastiff''',<ref>{{cite journal | last=Bell | first=Louise | last2=Hesketh | first2=Sara | title=Mastiff breed mortality: A study of owner experience, dog age and longevity | journal=Veterinary and Animal Science | volume=13 | date=2021 | pmid=34458644 | pmc=8379649 | doi=10.1016/j.vas.2021.100194 | doi-access=free | article-number=100194}}</ref> is a dog breed of Japanese origin that is considered rare. It was originally bred in Tosa, Shikoku (present-day Kōchi), as a fighting dog and the only dog legally allowed in Japanese dog fighting.<ref name="Wofford">{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/2016/09/09/japanese-dogfighting-494843.html |title=Dogfights in Japan Are a Family Outing |first1=Taylor |last1=Wofford |date=September 1, 2016 |work=Newsweek |access-date=December 21, 2018}}</ref> Ownership is restricted in some countries as a dangerous breed.

== Appearance == The Tosa vary 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 {{convert|80|and|135|lb|kg|order=flip}}, while non-Japanese breeders have focused on dogs that weigh from {{convert|60|to|90|kg|abbr=on}} and stand {{convert|62|to|82|cm|abbr=on}} at the withers.{{ref|fogle}} The coat is characterized by its short and smooth appearance and is often red, brindle, or fawn, but occasionally it can be a dull black. Maintenance of the coat is usually minimal. Dogs can occasionally tip the scale at {{convert|200|lb|kg|order=flip}}. In Japan, they are considered the equivalent of sumo wrestlers and are even depicted in wrestling accoutrements.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

==History== thumb|right|The head of a Tosa thumb|Tosa Inu thumb|right|The head of a Tosa This breed originated in the second half of the 19th century. The breed started with the native Shikoku-Inu (an indigenous dog weighing about 25 kilograms (55 pounds) and standing about 55 centimetres high). These dogs were crossed with European dog breeds, such as the Old English Bulldog in 1872, the English Mastiff in 1874, the Saint Bernard and German Pointer in 1876, the Great Dane in 1924, and the Bull Terrier.{{ref|cunliffe}} The aim was to breed a larger, more powerful dog specifically for dog fighting competitions in Japan. 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/1998/10/8/19405597/japan-s-powerful-tosa-fighting-dogs-go-for-the-throat-in-canine-sumo/|title=Japan's powerful Tosa fighting dogs go for the throat in canine sumo|newspaper=Deseret News |first1=Joseph |last1=Coleman |agency=Associated Press |date=October 8, 1998 |access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1967/01/30/670182/silence-reigns-when-japans-tosas-fight|title=Silence Reigns when Japan's Tosas Fight|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref>

==Use== In South Korea, it is one of the main dog meat breeds, along with Nureongi dogs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/dateline/article/6-things-you-should-know-about-koreas-dog-meat-farms/real7h7dn | title=6 things you should know about Korea's dog meat farms }}</ref>

==Legal matters== {{See also|Breed-specific legislation}} thumbnail|Tosa Inu puppies 4 months Ownership of Tosas is legally restricted in certain jurisdictions. In the United Kingdom, ownership is regulated under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, and in Trinidad and Tobago under the Dog Control Act 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-07-14/dog-control-act|title=The Dog Control Act|newspaper=The Trinidad Guardian}}</ref> A specific exemption from a British court is required to own and import Tosas legally in the UK.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1991/Ukpga_19910065_en_1.htm |title=Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 |at=Chapter 65 |location=London |publisher=HMSO/National Archives |year=1991 |access-date=8 February 2010}}</ref>

The breed is banned or legally restricted at a national level in: * Australia<ref>{{cite web |title=Importing Animals |url=https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/busi/cargo-support-trade-and-goods/importing-goods/importing-animals |access-date=2 August 2018 |archive-date=8 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908020852/https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/busi/cargo-support-trade-and-goods/importing-goods/importing-animals }}</ref> * Austria * Cyprus<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ο Περί Σκύλων Νόμος - 184(I)/2002 |url=https://www.cylaw.org/nomoi/enop/non-ind/2002_1_184/full.html |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=www.cylaw.org}}</ref> * Denmark<ref>{{cite web |title=Vejledning om hundelovens forbudsordning |language=da |publisher=Justitsministeriet |url=http://www.justitsministeriet.dk/hunde.html |access-date=20 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719125741/http://www.justitsministeriet.dk/hunde.html |archive-date=19 July 2011 }}</ref> * Fiji<ref>{{cite web |title=Fiji Pet Passport Regulations |language=en |publisher=Pet Travel, Inc. |url=http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/Fiji.cfm |access-date=27 March 2017}}</ref> * France<ref>{{Cite web |title=Les chiens de catégorie 1 et 2 dits " chiens dangereux "|url=https://agriculture.gouv.fr/les-chiens-de-categorie-1-et-2-dits-chiens-dangereux|website=agriculture.gouv.fr|access-date=2023-09-12}}</ref> * Hong Kong<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hong Kong e-Legislation |url=https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/checkconfig/checkClientConfig.jsp?applicationId=RA001 |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=www.elegislation.gov.hk}}</ref> * Iceland<ref>{{cite web|title=Landbúnaðarráðuneyti |url=https://www.reglugerd.is/reglugerdir/allar/nr/935-2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Hvaða hundar eða hundakyn eru bönnuð á Íslandi?| url=https://www.visindavefur.is/svar.php?id=30650}}</ref> * Ireland<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/dublin-city-council-bans-dangerous-dog-breeds-1.948683|title=Dublin City Council bans 'dangerous dog breeds'|first=Olivia|last=Kelly|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=7 August 2021}}</ref> * Israel<ref>{{Cite web |title=חוק להסדרת הפיקוח על כלבים |url=https://www.nevo.co.il/law_html/Law01/999_008.htm#med1 |access-date=2021-09-11 |website=Nevo |language=he}}</ref> * Malaysia<ref>{{Cite web|year=2019|title=Kod Amalan Kebajikan Haiwan: Aktiviti Pembiakan Haiwan Kesayangan|url=https://www.dvs.gov.my/dvs/resources/user_1/2020/Kebajikan%20Haiwan/KAKH_04.pdf|language=ms|trans-title=Animal Welfare Code of Practice: Pet Breeding Activities|access-date=18 January 2024|website=Malaysian Department of Veterinary Services|page=29|type=pdf}}</ref> * Malta<ref>{{cite web|title=Importation of Pets in Malta |publisher=MFGC |date=2 March 2010 |url=http://www.maltacatshows.com/modules/articles/article.php?id=23 |access-date=2 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105075027/http://www.maltacatshows.com/modules/articles/article.php?id=23 |archive-date=5 November 2009 }}</ref> * New Zealand<ref>{{cite web|title=The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs rules on dog control |url=http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Resource-material-Dog-Control-Key-Facts?OpenDocument}}</ref> * Norway<ref>{{cite web| title = Forskrift om hunder| publisher = Lovdata| date = 2009-08-25| url = http://www.lovdata.no/for/sf/jd/xd-20040820-1204.html#map0| access-date = 25 August 2009}} </ref> * Romania<ref>{{cite web |title=ORDONANȚĂ DE URGENȚĂ nr. 55 din 30 aprilie 2002 |url=http://legislatie.just.ro/Public/DetaliiDocument/35880 |access-date=14 May 2019}}</ref> * Singapore<ref>{{cite web| title = Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore List of Scheduled Dogs| publisher = ava| url = http://www.ava.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/2FCF9F87-1FB1-49C8-A804-0611C26E95FA/18221/SummaryofAB_DoglicensingControl_Rules_15Nov2010.pdf| access-date = 24 January 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141225171348/http://www.ava.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/2FCF9F87-1FB1-49C8-A804-0611C26E95FA/18221/SummaryofAB_DoglicensingControl_Rules_15Nov2010.pdf| archive-date = 25 December 2014}} </ref> * Tunisia<ref>{{cite web|title=Prohibitions et restrictions|url=http://www.douane.gov.tn/index.php?id=136|access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref> * Turkey<ref>{{cite web |title=HAYVANLARI KORUMA KANUNU |url=https://www.tbmm.gov.tr/kanunlar/k5199.html |access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref> * United Arab Emirates<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.government.ae/en/information-and-services/finance-and-investment/clearing-the-customs-and-paying-customs-duty#banned-items|title=Banned items: Customs Clearance - The Official Portal of the UAE Government|website=www.government.ae}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs|title=Controlling your dog in public: Banned dogs - GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk}}</ref>

==See also== {{Portal|Animals|Japan}} * Dogs portal * List of dog breeds * List of dog fighting breeds * Breed-specific legislation ==Notes== {{notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist}}

===Bibliography=== * {{cite book |ref=fogle |last=Fogle |first=Bruce |title=The New Encyclopedia of the Dog |year=2000 |publisher=Doring Kindersley (DK) |isbn=0-7894-6130-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/newencyclopediao00fogl }} * {{cite book |ref=cunliffe |last=Cunliffe |first=Juliette |title=The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds |year=2004 |publisher=Parragon Publishing |isbn=0-7525-8276-3}}

==Further reading== * Ostuni, Steve (2003). ''Japanese Tosa''. Allenhurst: Kennel Club Books. {{ISBN|1-59378-336-1}}.

==External links== {{Commons and category|Tosa inu|Tosa inu}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tosa (Dog)}} Category:FCI breeds Category:Dog breeds originating in Japan Category:Dog fighting breeds Category:Rare dog breeds