Tosa Inu, originated from the Tosa region of Japan, is a mysterious and large-sized fighting dog in Japan, known as the king of Oriental dog fighting. Trained Tosa Inu ranks among the top in terms of fierceness among dog breeds worldwide, yet it is extremely loyal to its owner. In Japan, it is a symbol of indomitable spirit, combining the mystery and implicitness of the East with the strong physique and appearance of Western dog breeds, making it very popular in Japan. However, due to its high price, it is mostly owned by members of the Japanese underworld and business tycoons.
It has a quiet and patient temperament, is brave, and does not like to bark. Even when angry or fighting, it rarely barks. It also has a smart brain, loves cleanliness, and has high standards of personal hygiene.
The Tosa Inu originated from Japan in the 19th century, and it is known as Tosa Inu, Tosa Token, Tosa Ken, etc. According to information from the Japan Kennel Club, in 1854, Japanese breeders crossbred it with German Pointers, English Bull Terriers, Mastiffs, Great Danes, and French Mastiffs to optimize its physical strength and appearance in all aspects, making it invincible in fights.
By the end of 1913, this breed had reached a high level of development. However, during World War II, due to the lack of food and resources, the Japanese government forbade the raising of dogs, putting the Tosa Inu at risk of extinction. It is said that only about 10 survived. After the war, people continued to breed and develop this breed, a process that took a long time and a lot of effort, officially ending in 1960. Although the Tosa Inu is very popular in Japan, other countries consider it a breed with potential aggression, and the British government even explicitly prohibits its ownership.
Tosa Inu, despite its fierce appearance, also has a delicate heart. It also needs the companionship of its owner, so it is best to spend at least three hours with the dog every day.
It needs a sufficient amount of exercise, so it is best to have spacious space at home for Tosa Inu to move freely. Tosa Inu does not like other dogs, so it is best not to keep other animals together.
Although it is very friendly to family members and children, due to its natural fighting nature and aggressiveness, it is not very suitable to be kept as a pet dog.
1. Heart disease
Dogs with heart disease are often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs suffer from heart disease, they mainly show symptoms such as easy physical fatigue and difficulty breathing. Heart disease in dogs is difficult to detect, and often by the time owners notice it, the dog is already seriously ill.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to these two infectious diseases. Once infected, symptoms such as lethargy, decreased appetite, high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea can be observed.
3. Kidney disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrifying aspect of canine kidney disease is that the onset process is often unnoticed, and when owners realize it, the dog's kidney cells have already been damaged by more than 75%. When a dog's kidneys have problems, the symptoms are usually blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworms, are common parasites that infect dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are emaciation, lethargy, diarrhea, presence of worms in the feces, and pale gums. Heartworms are parasites that live in a dog's heart. After a dog is infected, symptoms such as decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, shortness of breath, and ascites may occur.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but canine pneumonia is often a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormal upper respiratory tract, bacterial infections, canine distemper infection, viral influenza, impaired lung function, or heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal congestion, and elevated body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Foods suitable for Tosa Inu:
1. Canned food, canned food has a delicious taste that can increase the dog's appetite, and the protein content is already high. However, it is not suitable to mix with dry dog food. In addition, canned food is easy to become stale, so it should be consumed as soon as possible and not be left until the next meal.
2. Dried meat cakes, when mixed with canned food, it adds fiber and fat, and the fiber can exercise the dog's palate.
3. Dry dog food, completely dry dog food is very balanced in nutrition, and it is easy to store in large quantities. However, it has a particularly high calorie content, so the amount of food should be controlled when feeding.
4. Semi-cooked food, although it has high calories, it is not suitable for dogs with diabetes.
5. Chewing sticks, this is a bone-shaped gelatinous substance made by compressing beef bone meal. It is a very suitable food for dogs.
Bathing:
1. Dogs like to use water for massage. Pay attention to the water temperature. Cold water or too hot water can harm the dog's skin and make the dog unwilling to take a bath in the future.
2. When bathing, use a dog-specific shampoo, so that the acidity and alkalinity are more suitable for the dog's skin. After washing, use a low-temperature hairdryer to dry the dog's fur. After the fur is dry, brush it again.
3. After taking a bath, use insect repellent directly on the dog's skin. Use according to the dog's weight. If you are not sure, it is best to consult a veterinarian first.
1. Do not bathe frequently.
Giving dogs a bath should not be too frequent. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, you can give the dog a bath one or two more times, while in winter, you can reduce it by one or two times. But in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush the fur regularly.
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially in spring and autumn when seasonal shedding is more severe. To keep the fur in good condition, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use a pet-specific comb to help the dog remove naturally shed hair and prevent matting. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe.
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. In addition to making the fur shinier, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. At the same time, pet owners can let the dog exercise a bit while sunbathing, which can improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming.
Bad fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body and compete for nutrition. Therefore, deworming is necessary. It is recommended to do both internal and external deworming. Additionally, deworming drugs can cause significant damage to the dog's gastrointestinal system. Therefore, it is recommended to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet.
In order for dogs to have shiny fur, it is necessary to establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable and nutritionally adequate for the dog to meet its needs. On the other hand, you can also give the dog a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil.