Tosa Ken Information & Dog Breed Facts

The Tosa Ken, Tosa-Inu, or in its other name the Japanese Mastiff is originated from the Tosa Province, in Japan and can trace its history back to the middle of the 19^th century. Japan has a long and extensive dogfighting history, that began in the 14^th century on the Island of Shikoku. The Shikoku Inu had been unequaled in the Japanese fighting arenas before the Westerners have arrived. After 1854, Japanese dog fanciers and dogfighters started to acquire foreign breeds to cross-breed with their native stock of breeds, in order to develop more sufficient, stronger, and better dogs for this purpose.

The Tosa Ken was also a product of this practice, for the reason that it is also a hybrid dog breed. The breed’s ancestors are the Shikoku Inu from the Japanese side, and other Western breeds after European explorers and travelers brought them to Japan. The Tosa Ken is believed to be developed between the period of 1868 and 1912. The Mastiff and the Great Dane are thought to be the Tosa Ken’s Western ancestors, these giant dogs were used with the aim of producing very large individuals. Other breeds including the Bulldog, Saint Bernard, the German Pointer, and the Bull Terrier are also credited with the creation of the Tosa Ken. These breeds were used in order to perfect the Tosa Ken’s abilities and behavioral traits after their size was homogeneously developed.

Dogfighting was been a popular pursuit in Japan, and it is still practiced today, mostly in rural areas, where the tournaments are often organized and supported by the yakuza, the Japanese mafia. The dogs involved in these fighting activities must be fearless, aggressive, and very powerful. After their creation, the Tosa Ken was one of the most esteemed and valued fighting dogs in Japan. Moreover, the breed is often referred to as “sumo wrestler of the dog world”. Just like the human sumo champions, these dogs are usually treated with great honor and they also get ceremonies after each win. In Japan, the Tosa is considered a national treasure, and the Tosa who are victorious in the ring is awarded a celebrity status, with the title of “Yokozuna”. The canine sumo champions are adorned with decorated cloth and a braided rope, just like their fellow human counterparts. After dog fighting became illegal in Japan, in Europe, and in North America, the breed’s numbers declined and after World War II, the breed was on the edge of extinction. Even though dogfighting practices are now illegal, many still practice this sport in illegal pits and rings, in the rural regions of Japan.

By the mid-20^th century, the breed had a considerable number of fanciers outside of their homeland, Japan. Because of the increasing demand for the breed, an intensive breeding process was implemented, which resulted in thousands of litters being bred annually. This over-breeding caused the potential for extreme behavioral problems, and several serious attacks against animals and humans, which led to the introduction of bans and strict controls on Tosa breeding and ownership in many countries. For example, in Ireland, the breed is banned from public housing projects and is considered to be dangerous, and in the United Kingdom, the ownership or the import of the Tosa Ken requires legal exemption issued by the court. However, in the right environment, with strict discipline with a confident and capable owner, the Tosa Ken can be an easy-going large family pet watch and guard dog, even though their aggression towards strangers can be an issue. Regarding their recognition, the AKC (American Kennel Club) recognized the breed officially in 1997. The UKC (United Kennel Club) and the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) also registered the breed.