Tosa Ken
USD $600-$1000 Price Avg.
Guard Dogs
Group
Cross Breed
Breed Type
Large, Giant
Size
10-12 years
Lifespan
Breed Information
| Group | Guard Dogs |
|---|---|
| Popularity/Rank | 352 |
| Origin | Japan |
| Other Names | Japanese Fighting Dog, Japanese Mastiff, Japanese Tosa, Tosa Fighting Dog, Tosa Inu, Tosa Ken, Tosa Tōken |
| Breed Type | Cross Breed |
| Price (Avg.) |
USD $600-$1000
How much does it cost to purchase a Tosa Ken? The price of a Tosa Ken will vary from breeder to breeder as well as from place to place. As a rough guide, you should expect to pay between $600 to $1000 per Tosa Ken if you purchase from a reputable breeder. Prices will be higher for show-quality dogs with a distinguished pedigree. Adult dogs who have already been trained may cost even more. It is usually less expensive to adopt a Tosa Ken through a shelter. |
| Size | Large, Giant |
| Weight |
Male: 88-176 lbs (40-80 kg),
Female: 84-120 lbs (38-54 kg) |
| Height |
Male: 22-24 inches (55-62 cm),
Female: 21-24 inches (54-60 cm) |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Recognized by |
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. And Not recognized by FCI. |
| Purpose | Protection |
| Date of Origin | 18th century |
| Ancestry | Japanese |
Appearance & Maintenance
| Coat | Dense, Hard |
|---|---|
| Coat Colors | Black, Brindle, Brown, Fawn, Yellow |
| Grooming Level | |
| Shedding Level | |
| Eye Color Possibilities | Black, Brown, Amber, Hazel |
| Nose Color Possibilities | Black, Brown, Pink, Red, Blue |
| Coat Color Possibilities | Fawn, Brindle, Red, Black, White |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Coat Density | Medium |
| Coat Texture | Double-Coated |
| Recommended Brushes | Slicker brush, Pin brush, Undercoat rake, Shedding blade, Nail clippers, Grooming scissors. |
| Brushing Frequency | Once a week |
Breed Characteristics
| Temperament | Aggressive, Brave, Fearless, Intelligent, Sensitive, Suspicious |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | |
| Trainability | |
| Playfulness | |
| Sensitivity Level | |
| Affection Level | |
| Social Interaction Required | |
| Barking | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
| Territorial | |
| Biting Force | Low |
| Mouthiness | |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | |
| Prey Drive | |
| Adaptability | |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | |
| Fighting Dog | Yes |
Good & Friendly with
| Apartment Life Friendly | |
|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly | |
| Kid-Friendly | |
| Cat Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| Office Friendly | No |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | |
| Pet Friendly | |
| Friendly with First Time Owners | No |
| Service Dog | Not really |
| Therapy Dog | Not really |
| Detection, Sniffer or Security Dog | Not really |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) | Not really |
| Boat Dog | Not really |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog | Yes |
Health Elements
| Health Issues | |
|---|---|
| Health Problems | Bloat |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Energy Level | |
| Exercise Required | |
| Sleeping Required | |
| Weight Gain Potential | |
| Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
| Stinkiness | Medium |
| Drooling tendency | |
| Activity Level | Moderate |
| Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week | 20 miles |
| Minutes of Activity Per Day | 60 minutes |
Food & Costing
| Avg. Daily Food | 4 to 7 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
|---|---|
| Cups Per Day | 3.5 cups |
| Daily Cost | $10-$20 |
| Monthly Cost | $50-$100 |
Reproducibility
| Gestation Duration | 60-64 days |
|---|---|
| How often can the Tosa Ken have a litter? | Once a year. |
| Litter Size | 6-8 puppies (Once a year.) |
Description
The Tosa Ken is a large, powerful breed of dog that originated in Japan. It is also known as the Japanese Mastiff or the Tosa Inu. The Tosa Ken has a muscular and imposing appearance, with a broad head and strong jaws. Its coat is short and dense, usually black or brindle in color. The average lifespan of the Tosa Ken is 10 to 12 years.
The size of the Tosa Ken varies depending on its gender; males can reach up to 28 inches tall at the shoulder while females are typically smaller at 24 inches tall. Males can weigh up to 200 pounds while females typically weigh between 110 and 140 pounds. The colors of the breed range from black, brindle, red-fawn, fawn-brindle, and white-fawn.
The personality of the Tosa Ken is loyal and devoted to its family but can be wary of strangers if not properly socialized from an early age. They are intelligent dogs that need consistent training and firm leadership in order to thrive in their environment. They are also very protective of their family members which makes them excellent guard dogs if trained properly for this purpose.
Tosa Kens are generally friendly with other dogs but may be aggressive towards strange animals if not socialized properly from an early age or if they feel threatened by them in any way. They tend to be good with children as long as they have been raised around them since puppyhood; however, due to their large size they should always be supervised when interacting with small children just like any other breed of dog would require supervision when interacting with small children for safety reasons .
The temperament of the Tosa Ken is calm yet alert; they make excellent watchdogs due to their alertness but do not bark excessively unless provoked or alarmed by something unusual happening around them .
The health issues associated with this breed include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye problems such as cataracts or glaucoma , heart disease , skin allergies , bloat , hypothyroidism , entropion (inward rolling eyelids) , ectropion (outward rolling eyelids) , luxating patellas (dislocated kneecaps) . It's important for potential owners to research these health issues before purchasing a puppy so that they can ensure that it comes from a reputable breeder who screens for these conditions prior to breeding .
Tosas have an average adaptability level; they do best in homes where there is someone home most days so that they don't become bored or lonely when left alone for extended periods of time . They do well living both indoors and outdoors provided that there is adequate shelter available outside during cold weather months .
Overall Tosas make great pets due to their loyalty and devotion towards their families; however potential owners should keep in mind that this breed requires consistent training throughout its life due its large size which could potentially pose safety risks if it isn't trained properly . Additionally potential owners should research all health issues associated with this breed prior purchasing a puppy so that it comes from a reputable breeder who screens for these conditions prior breeding .
History
The Tosa Ken is a large, powerful dog that was originally bred in Japan for the purpose of dog fighting. The breed nearly became extinct after World War II, but has since made a comeback and is now popular in both Japan and the United States.
The Tosa Ken is thought to be descended from the mastiff-type dogs brought to Japan by the Portuguese in the 16th century. These dogs were then crossbred with native Japanese breeds, resulting in a large, powerful dog well-suited for fighting. Dog fighting was a popular sport in Japan for many centuries, and the Tosa Ken quickly became the most popular breed for this purpose.
After World War II, dog fighting was outlawed in Japan and the Tosa Ken breed nearly became extinct. However, a few dedicated breeders kept the breed alive and eventually began exporting them to the United States where they quickly gained popularity as both companion animals and guard dogs. Today, the Tosa Ken is recognized as a distinct breed by both the American Kennel Club and the Japanese Kennel Club.
