# Tosa Inu

> Japan's national fighting dog, developed in Kochi on Shikoku Island. Brad runs a preservation breeding program through Hakuzan Kennel, importing dogs from Japanese fighting lines.

## Tosa Inu

The Tosa Inu is the national fighting dog of Japan, created in the Kochi region of Shikoku Island. Historically, the people of Shikoku were known for their aggressiveness during the Edo period. They fought their native Shikoku Ken but found them consistently defeated by the Akita dogs used by the Samurai in northern Japan. To counter this, they developed the Tosa Inu by crossing the local wolf-like Shikoku Ken with several Western breeds, establishing it as Japan's premier fighting dog. Japanese dog fighting with Tosas follows the rules and ritual of sumo wrestling — the dogs are matched by weight class, wear ceremonial aprons, and are expected to fight silently and with composure. A dog that yelps or shows cowardice is disqualified.

## Brad's Tosa Program

Brad breeds Tosa Inu through Hakuzan Kennel alongside Kishu Ken. His entry into the breed began with a desire to experience them firsthand. After working with a contact in Japan for several years, he imported Sakura, a quality female Tosa. While he did not initially plan to breed, interest from breeders in Europe and America convinced him the West needed more high-quality imports.

The logistics of breeding a female to a male across the country drove Brad's decision to acquire his own male. He contacted Candy at SouthEast Tosa in Georgia and purchased Musashi. Brad was drawn to her program because she had consolidated both "Meiken Yokozuna" (Grand Champion) and "Yokozuna" (Champion) fighting titles on both sides of Musashi's pedigree — an unusual achievement. In Japan, where dog fighting is legal and follows sumo-style rules, these titles carry significant prestige.

## Breeding & Selection

Brad maintains a strict selection process. Sakura, despite being a beautiful import, developed hip dysplasia and was removed from the breeding program. He then imported another female, Amaya, but she turned out too small and was also removed. Brad continued to seek quality females from Japan who pass health checks to breed with Musashi.

## Temperament

Musashi was a great dog — very social, loved people, and was generally well-behaved. However, he carried the instincts of a fighting breed and could not be trusted around other large male dogs.

Unlike athletic mastiffs such as the Presa Canario, Dogo Argentino, or Boerboel, the Tosa is not a "velcro dog." They are affectionate and faithful but do not need to be at your feet constantly — they are content to hang out in the yard. Tosas are also "handler hard," meaning they tolerate correction without shutting down or getting offended. Brad appreciated this trait given his straightforward handling style.

## Energy & Management

A common misconception is that mastiff puppies are low-energy. Both Musashi and Sakura were terrors as puppies — significantly more energetic than breeds like the Boerboel. Prospective owners should be prepared for an active, large, sometimes clumsy dog that will knock things over and push people around in good spirits.

## As Pets

Tosas can make great pets for people who understand the nuances of owning a potentially dog-aggressive breed. They are smart, loyal, and have unique characteristics that make them stand out among mastiff breeds. They are less needy than other mastiffs, which suits owners who want a more independent companion. For anyone considering a Tosa, understanding their history, behavior, and needs is crucial to providing them with a good home.

## Details

- **Category:** Breeds
- **Tags:** tosa-inu, tosa, fighting-breed, mastiff, import, preservation, japan, shikoku, kochi
- **Region:** Japan — Shikoku Island (Kochi)

**Also read:** [All breeds](https://bradanderson.org/breeds?format=md) · [About Brad](https://bradanderson.org/about?format=md)

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