Tosa, a traditional Japanese sword, is not allowed to be carried in public for what reason?
The Japanese Tosa is one canine breed that has been unjustly targeted by BSL (breed-specific law), which has led to bans on the breed in several countries including England, Ireland, Australia, and many more. Was it included because it was known to kill and attack other dogs? No. This wonderful canine just has a past.
The Origin of the Tosa Dog
The Tosa area of Japan (located on the island of Shikoku) was home to a medium-sized dog that the locals had high hopes of training to compete in sumo. It was about 150 years ago when local dogs were being crossed with Mastiffs, St. Bernards, Great Danes, and Bull Terriers in order to improve upon their already impressive size and strength.
The dog they had was huge and beautiful. There were tens of thousands of Tosa breeders in Japan before World War II.
The Japanese dogfighters were looking for a special kind of dog. To compete in sumo-style wrestling, they needed a dog with a certain set of characteristics, therefore they created this breed.
The canines are massive and muscular, much like the ideal sumo wrestler.
What Are Tosa Like?
Outside of Japan, breeders have selectively bred the Tosa to increase its maximum weight to over 100 kilograms, although in Japan, the average weight of a Tosa is around 35 to 60 kilos. Their coats are short, their heads are red and blocky, and their necks are broad and muscular. They do drool, but not as much as other larger breeds of canine.
Sensitive and subdued, the Tosa is an excellent apartment dog. Their size and intimidating appearance make them ideal guard dogs, and they are mostly silent.
As is the case with many large or huge dogs, their lifespan is rather short at about 10 years.
Does Tosa Cost a Lot?
Of course, the costs will increase significantly once you plan on adopting a big dog. Because of the high cost of raising these pups, breeders will likely charge more than they would for a small dog. When you finally bring your dog inside, he’ll eat more, need a sturdy outside kennel or solid fencing surrounding your yard, and potentially cause you significant financial hardship if he develops any health issues (such as hip dysplasia or bloat).
Due to their rarity, Tosa is very costly both to acquire and keep as pets. You shouldn’t be looking for this dog if you can’t afford to take care of its needs.
Tosa Recruiting and Training
Tosa breeders often advise only those with prior dog-handling expertise to buy one of these puppies. Their bulk and fortitude are likely to blame for this. If a tiny dog is misbehaving, you may simply pick it up and carry it away from trouble. A Tosa just cannot do this.
Getting a Tosa puppy isn’t the only thing you should be thinking about. Determine first whether Tosa has been outlawed in your area. (They are illegal in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.) Be careful to ask your landlord whether you can have a dog like the Tosa if you plan on getting one, even if the breed is permitted where you live. You might lose your house if you don’t investigate this carefully.
Successful dog ownership requires early and consistent socialization of the puppy. It’s important to reinforce his mother’s teachings on biting restraint. If you want to have a strong relationship with your Tosa as an adult, you should start obedience training when he is still a puppy.
Daily exercise is essential for a Japanese Tosa, but they are not the kind of dog that would perform well at a dog park. Unfortunately, Tosas have high pain tolerance, making them easy to fight off in the event of an assault from another dog.
However, local animal control is likely to place your Tosa on a dangerous dog list or even put him down if he defends himself and is attacked.
What follows is a shocking demonstration of what may happen when two Tosa grapple outside of the ring.
In conclusion
I was wondering whether there were still folks that put these canines to work in the ring. Yes. So, does it imply it’s best to ban dogs from so many countries? No. No one can stop you from consuming a Japanese Tosa if that is what you choose.