Care and nutrition of Tosa
CARE
Care about Tosa is not extremely difficult but we have to get used a dog from puppy for manipulation (not only because of care you will do at home, but well-managed dog you will appreciate especially at the veterinarian).
Coat - pay special attention especially during molting, it is necessary to comb Tosa at least once a day. At other times its less frequently, but its good to remove dead hair regurarly. Eyes - just wipe little dirts from them, if your dog has more sagging eyelids you must pay attention to infection or unwanted foreign objects. Ears - tosa has pendulous ears and they need especially in the summer months to check whether there is no possibility of inflammation (due to poor ventilation and overgrowth of bacteria in the ear). In the other seasons its not needed to often intervene ears only in case of excessive ear wax. Teeth - if a dog has plenty of hard treats / bones to chew, no extra dental care is needed. But get used to reaching a dog's mouth is necessary. Nails - if the dog has a sufficient amount of movement on a hard surface, claws grind themselves influenced by the weight of the dog (but at puppies not). Particular attention must be given to a claw on the fifth finger, which is not grinded by dogs movement (and they like to overgrow).
A natural component of care of your pet should be a regular vaccination and deworming as recommended by your vet.
Puppies and growing dogs its better not to overload in motion, because large breeds are prone to growth problems. Its better to do more shorter walks several times a day, after reaching physical maturity (about 3 years) are Tosa good companions on longer walks (they are used to it gradually).
NUTRITION
Tosa Inu is a molosser breed, so they need very good nutrition, particularly in a period of growth and development a cereal-based dog food it certainly will not give. Our dogs are fed by high-quality food from globally well known brands as well as raw diet. Of course we will provide a personal professional advice for owners of our puppies.
Tosa Inu today
Because even in Japan itself are Tosas in size and power a relatively non-uniform breed, standard for Tosa therefore provides a lower limit of the height at the withers, which is 60 inches for males and 55 cm for females. The upper limit is not particularly restricted, and therefore (but less frequently) you can meet with individuals whose withers height exceeding 75 cm. But the most important thing for tosa is to be grown in total harmony, with strong bones and massive plastic and outgoing, though not heavy musculature. Weight of Tosa is by size in dogs from 55 to 70 kg, females weigh an average of 45-65 kg. In Japan are known champions weighing up to 100 kg, but it's really just an exception and here in Europe its not possible to meet such a big Tosa.
Nowadays, Tosa inu in Europe is most used as a stately home pet. In their country of origin (Japan), although still used as in the past, but the popularity of dogs as companions is constantly growing. We can say that the largest reason is very specific, with another breed unmistakable character and impressive appearance.
Tosa is a big, powerful, well-muscled dog with a big head. Even today Tosa is not breed with ridiculous standard, therefore, we can find different types of breeds - from athletic to robust type (never too lymphatic), and each person can choose according to their preferred look. Despite its size Tosa inus are very fast, agile and possibly even active dogs. Every tosa is original – with exterior and personality. Some tosas are more active and walk once a day they will not be enough, others are satisfied with it. Of course also depends on education (although I can not imagine Tosa only as "cauch" dog because opportunity of enough movement is important for each breed).
Typical traits are clearly - fearlessness, confident temperament, intelligence (from Tosa as molosser breed you can never expect commands immediate and thoughtless performed-although in a proper relationship with your dog for you will be tosa inu happy to meet it). They also have a natural protective instinct and in case of threat of owner Tosa can defend them. Therefore, its not good to strenghten extremely good defensive abilities by improper training.
Mostly Tosa selects one member of the family, and then after that respects all life and honor as a samurai their Emperor. They will also listen to other family members and they will be excellent, devoted companion.
EDUCATION
Due to the size it is necessary to consistently educate a Tosa from an early age. This does not mean that we will be very tough, it would be a very negative impact on his relationship with you. However, we can not suffer any excesses (especially during puberty), otherwise then with more than 50 kg adult darling "wouldn't agree on" a common coexistence could become challenging for both sides. Tosa inus are very smart and a lot of your commands and requests will understand very quickly. Males need to watch over their natural dominance of the same sex. With proper management, it is possible to have Tosa with other dogs in the household, but especially during the owner's absence should be separately.
If you want to have with your dog a good relationship, you can not Tosa permanently place in a dog kennel. Tosa Inu needs frequent contact with the family for correct mental developement. If we isolate them, we can not expect miracles.
History of Tosa Inu
Tosa inu belongs to the breeds that are sometimes called as fighting (which is itself as concept completely pointless). This designation is unfortunately very misleading and uninformed persons can feel negative emotions. At Tosa is more correct to say that it is a wrestling dog. Tosa is sumo wrestler in the canine world.
Its important to say, that for matches are never used tosa females. Females are used for breeding and are also great guarding dogs. Japanese wrestling matches of tosa inu are only between males. Like in sumo matches also in this matches dogs only purpose is to take off balance of their opponent and knock him down. The efforts which the dog must spend to his opponent "got on his back" is evaluated. Dogs are catching just skin and trying to get his opponent to the ground. If there is an injury to one dog, the match ends immediately. Both opponents are leaving most of games completely uninjured. To his wrestling career is dog preparing long and carefully and matches can participate only dogs older than one year. Matches are divided into three categories - light, medium and heavy weight. The ideal weight is considered to be about 55 kilograms. The two-day tournament of dog fights are held in Japan until today and are as popular as sumo wrestling. The dog during the two-day tournament attended several matches and its evaluated overall result. And like in sumo dog can gradually obtain titles, ranging from the complete beginner "Maegashira" to the highest wrestling title - "Meiken Yokozuna". However, the dog does not acquire title permanently. As soon as the title of his wrestling career is over, must defend the title and every defeat for him means a loss evaluation. Male winner at the ceremony is decorated and enjoys great admiration.
The history of this type of dog fights in Japan reportedly dates back to the fourteenth century, the history of the breed tosa inu is not long. Greater popularity tosa got in the samurai caste practice in the first half of the nineteenth century.
We have to mention that in the early days was tosa inu dog of medium size, similar to Nihon-inu, the average weight of tosa was slightly about 30 kg, had standing ears and tail curled over the back. After the arrival of the first Europeans and their dogs (around 1542), lovers of dog fights in Tosa area were disappointed by small size of their dogs and constantly compared them with large foreign breeds. Within a few days, tosa inu lovers enthusiastically started crossing of dogs, whose main aim was to ennoble the overall appearance of the local breed. During these breeding efforts were probably used a St. Bernard, English Mastiff, Great Dane, Bloodhound, Dogue de Bordeaux, German Pointer, English Bulldog and English Bull Terrier.
The Second World War brought Tosa - as well as many other large breeds - on the brink of extinction. There was only a few adult males and two females in the administrative area of Tohoku and a couple of dogs on the island of Kyushu. And based on these surviving dogs was due to the huge efforts of breeders, a new breeding of tosa inu breed.
