Now here's a dog that can rightfully claim to be "Made in Japan"!
The Tosa (also called the Tosa Inu or Japanese Mastiff) is an extremely rare dog that originated in the second half of the 19th century in Japan.
The Inu is a large dog weighing anywhere between 130 to 200 lbs. and can reach heights of 2 feet and 10 inches.
The breed started from the native Shikoku-Inu, an indigenous medium-sized dog which looks like the European Spitz. These dogs were crossed with European dog breeds, such as the Old English Bulldog, Mastiff, St. Bernard, German Pointer, Great Dane, and the Bull Terrier. The Japanese aim was to breed a larger, more powerful fighting dog and it still is today.
It is a very strong and massive breed that has been designated by the American Kennel Club as a ‘working dog’.
The stamina and agility of this breed, combined with its strength, mean that it must be well bred, well socialized, well trained, and under its master's control at all times.
The Tosa is often described as being "stately, quiet, calm, and relaxed, until aroused." Now, you probably think that as meaning a stranger rushing at your loved ones. And it could mean that. Perhaps.
But "arousal" can also mean a low-flying animal, which the Tosa might grab out of the air. Or the neighbor's kid going at your child in play.
As a ‘dangerous’ breed, this dog has been banned in many countries already, and might considered to be banned in several states in the U.S.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tosa_(dog)
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/tosainu.html
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