Tosa Dog Breed

Thinking of getting a Tosa Dog and want to know if a Tosa is suitable for your household?

Use the Tosa information on this website to learn more about adaptability, health issues, life span of Tosa and more.


Tosa Breed Facts

Basic Facts Appearance Temperament Playfulness Easy to Train Intelligence Watchdog Ability Barking Tendencies Lifespan Health Issues & Symptoms Grooming Needs Shedding or Not Exercise Requirements Adaptability Apartment Friendly Children Friendly Stranger Friendly Cat Friendly Dog Friendly Puppy Price & Litter Size Tosa Names

Tosa Facts

  • Name: Tosa
  • Other Names: Tosa Inu, Tosa Ken, Tosa Tōken, Japanese Fighting Dog, Japanese Mastiff, Tosa Fighting Dog, Japanese Tosa
  • Origin: Japan
  • Breed Group: Guardian Dog (UKC)
  • Breed Type: Cross Breed


Tosa Dog Facts

Tosa Information

The Tosa Ken is a large, short-coated dog, with a stately manner and a robust, powerful, and agile body. The body is slightly longer than tall. The head is large and broad with a boxy muzzle, pendulous flews, and clearly observable dewlap. There is wrinkling on the head, particularly when the dog is alert. Ears are of medium size, drop, and set high. The tail is uncut, very thick at the base, and tapering to the tip. The Tosa Ken may be solid colored, brindle, black with markings, or pied. The overall appearance should be that of a massive but dynamic and flexible athlete, a true canine samurai.

The Tosa Ken is normally a tranquil, quiet, and obedient dog with a calm but vigilant demeanor. The Tosa is quietly affectionate with its own family but may be somewhat aloof with strangers. This breed is also by nature watchful of other dogs and may react aggressively to dogs it considers intruders. Overtly aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable. The Tosa responds best to positive-enforced training methods because of an inherent desire to please its owner. This breed matures slowly and individual dogs may not reach their prime until as late as four years of age.

What to do if you lose your Tosa

If your Tosa Dog or any other pet has gone missing and it does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you can:

1. List your missing pet details at Pet Reunite website here.

2. Register the lost pet on the Local Lost Pets Facebook Groups Here.

3. Phone the local vets to see if someone has brought in your lost pet.

4. Call the RSPCA or Visit the RSPCA Lost Pets website and complete a Lost Pet Report.

5. Visit Lost Pets Pages of Animal Shelters.

What to do if you find a lost Tosa

If you find a Tosa Dog or any other pet and it does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you can:

1. List the found pet details at Pet Reunite website here.

2. List the missing pet on the Local Facebook Lost Pets Groups.

3. Phone the Local Authority to collect the lost animal.

4. Take the animal to the local Animal Pound assigned to your area.

5. Take the pet to the local Vet who usually scan the animal’s microchip and contact the registered pet owner.

Laws Regarding Missing Pets

1. It is against the law to keep any animal that you find.

2. Pets are generally considered property and it is illegal to take and keep someone else’s property.

3. You must contact your local animal control unit and file a FOUND AN ANIMAL report for any dog or cat you find.

4. To reclaim your lost dog, cat or other pet from the animal shelter you must pay a release fee.

5. If your dog or cat is unregistered, you will have to register your pet before you can take it home.




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