The Tosa Inu is the result of crossbreeding occurred between 1868 and 1912 from Kochi, the Bull Terrier, the Bulldog, the Alano and San Bernardo.  Its name comes from the land where it was grown and its proud, vibrant and guerrilla, derived from the crosses that led to this type of race.  In the Japanese province of Kochi, there was a breed of dog that was bred exclusively for fighting, but during the  Meiji era, from 1868 to 1912, we began to cross the breed with other European breeds, such as "Bulldog", the "Bull Terrier", the "Mastiff", the "San Bernardo" and "Alano", so it created a new breed with more combative capacity, more and more resistance hardening, a dog fighting almost unbeatable. This new breed is now known by the name of Tosa-Inu (Dog Tosa), Tosa-Ken or Tosa-Token. His land of origin is the island of Shikoku in the Kochi prefecture, where the city of Tosa, from which this breed takes its name.It was officially recognized by the FCI in 1982 and is not very common outside of Japan.  Japan has a long tradition of dog fighting that goes back to the fourteenth century. With these precedents, it brought up the race by crossing the Shikoku-Ken and Western breeds. Bearing the name of the region where he was reared, the Tosa is sometimes called "Japanese dogs" or "Japanese fighting dog" .  Dogs used for the Western creation of this breed were: the Bulldog (1872), the Dogs (Mastiff) (1874), the Bull Terrier, the German Bracchi (1876) and Dogo Great Danes or the Germans (1924). All these dogs were used to improve the breed through consecutive couplings.  Some were also used St. Bernard and Bull-Terriers, but do not know in what year. The character well stabilized, the resistance and the 'instinct to fight that are typical in these dogs can be attributed to the merger of these races. This combined size and strength of the Western dogs with the courage, loyalty and the ability to fight the Japanese dogs. The Tosa is a massive and athletic dog with an amazing agility, despite its impressive conformation. And 'better that you take home only the dog and not others because he does not like the company of others like her. It,s a dog that can be kept at home (even in an apartment), but needs to be brought in the open spaces where you can vent. It's a little off and within a short race will benefit the healthy. If enclosed in a fence will be unfortunate because more than anything else, want to be near family members. It is a dog that readily adapts to living with other dogs, so it is unwise to buy one if it already has a other. The master must learn to manage their Tosa because it is too large to be left "free." It is good with other dogs and pets only grown since his childhood with them. They tend to be fairly dog aggressive, take away the Tosa from other dogs that are aggressive and want to fight, as surely he will win. Are not recommended in a house with other dogs of the same sex and with the same temperament as surely confrontation and the Tosa will have the best on his "concubines." They have a high resistance to pain, due to the ancient origins of dog fighting . 

Danger: Dangerous * in accordance with the Order of the Ministry of Health 14 January 2008 "protect the life of public dall'aggressione dogs.

Classification FCI.: Officially recognized in 1982 and registered at No. 260 dated 09/12/1997 - Group 2 - Pinscher type of dogs, schnauzer, molossoidi and Swiss cowherd. Sezione 2.1 : Molossoidi, tipo dogue. Section 2.1: Molossoidi such dogue. It's a dog classified morphologically as type Molossoide. Morphologic classification: Molossoide mesomorphic brachycephaly  

Legislative information in the world: the entrance to the Tosa Inu is prohibited, even if temporarily for tourism, Australia, Croatia, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, Gibraltar, Great Britain, Iceland, Malta, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Spain. 

Germany: For tourists who remain in Germany less than 4 weeks, you can temporarily import your dog, of any kind is accompanied by the following documents: certificate of origin / race, vaccination certificate and certificate of personality (issued after a test character) written by a veterinarian, and other certificates may be required depending on the Lander where you want to do). 

Portugal and Switzerland: is the use of muzzle 

France: The Tosa Inu is considered a dog attack and defense or guard. For owners of a Tosa Inu, you can bring your dog on holiday in France, with a maximum stay of 30 days. and with a leash and muzzle.The introduction in France, in overseas departments and Saint Pierre-et-Miquelon, a Tosa Inu is is punishable with 6 months' imprisonment and 15.000 € fine. 

Italy: The owners and holders of Tosa Inu agrees to: a) apply the muzzle or leash the dog when in places open to the public. b) applying the muzzle and leash the dogs carried in public places and on public transport.