The Estrela Mountain Dog is brainy, valiant and vigilant. This imposing-looking molosser breed is a gentle giant with the family (including children), but will stop at nothing to protect his charges. Originally used as a Livestock Guardian Dog, although he still can be used for this purpose today, in leu of a flock he will use his protection abilities for the humans he loves instead. This breed tends toward being dominant and needs the right owner in addition to early training and socialization so as to not become too much to handle. Even well-raised Estrelas are often domineering as well as suspicious of strangers. This said, the breed is extremely loyal, loving and affectionate to those whom he lives with, and will form a particularly close bond with his favorite member of the family.

Estrela Mountain Dogs enjoy spending time with their owners but are not generally demanding dogs. This is not to say that they aren’t without their drawbacks, however. Estrelas, as the alert guardians that they are, have no qualms about using their voices often and freely. This is not a quiet breed, particularly if one lives in an area where there are many sights and sounds to bark at! The breed also requires a very high fence. Once they get out, they will often try to escape repeatedly (having gotten a taste of freedom). It’s best to keep them in the yard from the beginning so as to not start this “game”.

The Estrela can be either longhaired or shorthaired and both coat lengths should be brushed once a week at minimum. With the correct coarse coat texture, they are not particularly difficult to brush or to groom. Like all dogs, nails, teeth and ears must be checked regularly and taken care of. The coat will require baths when it gets dirty – and the bath will help pull out any dead undercoat at the same time.

EMDs can be playful when engaged in exciting endeavors, particularly when they are young. As they grow older they will calm down and be fairly easy to live with. Despite their serene and laid-back energy level, they don’t make good apartment dogs and instead require room to really stretch their legs. Remember – this breed was tasked with safeguarding flocks on huge tracts of land! They evolved to have plenty of endurance and stamina to do this job, and if they are crammed into too small of a living space with nothing to do, can become frustrated and destructive. All this said, they can live in smaller spaces if the owner is willing to walk the dog much more frequently and dedicate plenty of time to giving the dog an enriching life.

The Estrela doesn’t tend to be an expensive breed to care for compared to some breeds, as they eat relatively little for their size and tend to do better on low protein foods. The breed is also fairly healthy (there aren’t any health issues that arise frequently – hip dysplasia is seen occasionally but is not common) and they often live an average of 12 years. Although this large-giant breed may look enormous (and their thick coat makes them appear even larger) they are actually quite agile and hardy. Another plus – unlike similar breeds, the Estrela isn’t prone to excessive drooling.

When it comes to training, The EMD has an independent nature and will take more effort than other breeds. Without the right motivation he prefers exploring and guarding more than performing. The amount of time an owner puts into training (as well as the skill of the owner) equals the performance of the dog. Be prepared to have a sense of humor if venturing into competitive obedience! The breed has a stubborn nature although is actually quite intelligent. It is said that they are so intelligent that they try and convince their owners that they are stupid! Quite a clever ruse for getting out of work….

Estrella Mountain Dogs tend to do well around other dogs as long as they were socialized well. Many prefer to be the only-dogs in the family but will get along with other dog housemates – again, if socialized. They also don’t tend to chase or hurt other animals, with the exception of any animal whom they might see as a threat to their “pack” (humans and family pets). They have a fairly low prey drive so they are often trustworthy with cats.

Photo By Traceywashere at the English Wikipedia

The Presa Canario is one of the most intense of the guarding molosser breeds. Most of the time the breed is cool, composed and self-assured. If a threat appears, this confident and determined beast will take care of it. As such, he is wary of strangers (not fearful, but suspicious) although obedient to his family, including children. This is a strong-minded and very powerful animal (often over 100 pounds) that should only be owned by owners experienced with formidable breeds. In the right home, he is intensely loyal and bonds quite deeply to his owner/s.

Presas can exhibit many dominant behaviors and will try to rule the household if they feel the owner isn’t doing so. As such, obedience training and early socialization is extremely necessary, as well as some sort of job to engage his mind/body frequently! The size of the owner doesn’t matter as long as they are experienced with instilling firm “house rules” and can keep up with regular training on a consistent basis (ideally starting when the dog is still young and small). Not normally an “obedience breed”, while they can be taught a number of things they aren’t the easiest for a novice. This dog is intelligent but can be extremely headstrong.

Many Presa Canarios do not get along with other dogs – either strange canines or household companions. It is possible for some to co-exist with another but there are a number of factors that come into play – the age at which they join the family, the genetics of the dog, the sex of both dogs, the skill of the owner, etc, etc. The breed is also not known to get along well with smaller pets such as cats. When outside, his territorial nature can take over and he may try to maim or kill strange dogs near the property so a tall, secure fence is an absolute must. While not insanely energetic, the athletic Presa does require regular exercise in addition to all the training and care described above. He can live in an apartment in some situations but increased exercise will be necessary, as well as evaluating whether or not other tenants let their dog run off-leash at the complex. For obvious reasons that would not be a good situation.

The Presa was originally bred to do several things: act as a guard dog, a worker of livestock, as a fighting dog and finally as a companion. Because of this, he can be a versatile dog. No matter what, however, he will always have a deep instinct to protect the home and will take this job very seriously. A well-bred Presa will not act aggressively without reason, although poorly-bred and/or raised Presas have the potential to do serious damage – as has happened in the past and resulted in bad press for the breed. Unfortunately because of these “bad eggs”, the breed is on a number of BSL (breed specific legislation) lists and cannot be bought or owned in many parts of the world.

Presa Canarios are calm in the house. They are not a dog to run wildly around the living room for no reason; they are peaceful and observant of their surroundings, including the people in the home. This is a dog that most certainly will notice if something is “off”. This is also a fairly quiet dog who won’t make a big show of barking if someone comes to the door. He may bark a couple of times – a low and powerful sound, but is not excessively loud. Interestingly, in situations where he actually needs to apprehend an intruder it is likely he will do so quietly, without a sound.

Presas do have a number of genetic health issues in the breed. Susceptibility to demodectic mange, eye conditions, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia and other growth-related skeletal disorders have all been reported. Make sure to do your research when looking for a breeder! Responsible breeders do their best to weed out problems although nothing is foolproof when it comes to mother nature. It also wouldn’t be a horrible idea to purchase dog health insurance. Average age of Presas is 10-12.

Photo By Cgpresadog (Talk / contribs)

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is brave and fearless when faced with an adversary  – either human or animal – and is one of the most serious guarding breeds in existence. With his family however, he is gentle and loyal, even with children (although he may see kids as things to protect rather than take orders from). He will even protect other pets in the household if he feels they’re in danger (livestock guarding was one of the many duties assigned to this breed). This giant molosser is still rare in the United States.

The coat of the Caucasian is very dense and somewhat long, and it does shed quite a lot! These coats need substantial grooming – and brushing may need to be done daily. Coming from the Russian region, these dogs take better to the cold than the heat. Dogs living in hot temperatures will definitely need frequent brushing to get as much loose undercoat out as possible! Nail care, regular tooth care and ear cleaning should be another part of the grooming routine. Finally, the breed does drool so strategically-placed towels around the house wouldn’t be a horrible idea.

The Caucasian Shepherd benefits from regular exercise which can include daily walks. Doing so will help keep him from getting overweight and putting too much pressure on his joints. Although roaming around a large yard is preferable to not having access to a yard at all, it is in itself not enough. The breed does have a lot of endurance despite being a fairly low-energy animal. He should be kept on leash at all times when off the property, primarily because of his distaste of strangers but also because he is apt to wander. This does not mean he should be kept on a chain in the backyard, however. A fenced yard is a must!

Although intelligent, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be a challenge to train because of their high independence. This said, obedience must be taught and practiced regularly because this is a physically strong, highly protective breed. It is recommended to start the training while young for two reasons – first, a puppy will be easier to control and manage on a leash while obedience is first being introduced. Second, this breed will only work for a person whom he respects – so it is best to start the relationship off by showing that you will be making and enforcing the rules! This breed is not one to blindly follow orders, and is a “thinking” breed that will consider the situation before completing a command.

An untrained Caucasian can turn into a huge liability if not properly trained and managed. This is one of the most territorial and protective breeds in the world, and does not take kindly to people coming into the home – whether it be intruder, household guest or longtime friend of the family. Some owners find they must make sure their dog is crated in another room before having someone visit. This breed is not only a watchdog (his normally quiet self will turn into a barking frenzy when someone enters the property), but is an unquestionable guard dog with fast reflexes and a very strong defense drive. Such a dog needs an owner with lots of experience, particularly with guarding breeds. Furthermore, it is impossible to over-train or over-socialize this breed (provided they are done right) and both are non-negotiable!

Unlike many breeds used for Livestock Protection, the Caucasian Shepherd has a high prey drive and can also be dog-aggressive to other canines coming onto their properties. He was expected to get rid of predators in any way possible, even if it meant chasing after and killing them. While some bloodlines purposefully have tried to weed this trait out, other working lines seek to keep this in the gene pool. While the breed should never be needlessly uncontrollable, it is worth noting that a well-bred Caucasian is, to put it simply… too much dog with too much drive for most people! This is not the same thing as a Saint Bernard or other similarly-looking dog. Do you own a Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

Photo By Alexanmder Skoridanov

The Broholmer is a molosser (Mastiff-type) breed from Denmark, originally bred to guard estates and cattle, as well as doing a bit of herding duty when needed. Devoted to his owner and friendly to those he meets, this giant breed has a confident and stable nature. While guarding was one of their original purposes, today most are too friendly to be serious guard dogs. Although they will bark… many want nothing more than to love and be loved by strangers that enter the home. This said, their giant size is almost always enough of a deterrent for most would-be intruders! The Broholmer tends to get along well with children as well as the elderly, and will defend a beloved family member if absolutely necessary (if it’s an actual, absolute threat – they prefer not to drop their friendly nature unless it’s unavoidable).

Some are surprised to learn that the Broholmer is actually an incredibly affectionate dog who prefers to spend his time as close to his owner as possible – even if that means turning himself into a lap dog! This may also make him more prone to separation anxiety. He is more openly affectionate than other molosser breeds and is also more social to strangers. Many Broholmers make excellent therapy dogs! Another surprising difference – despite his giant frame, he is actually quite athletic and is able to participate in all sorts of physical activities. One last trait that sets him apart from other similar breeds is his ability to get along with other dogs. Although he may need supervision around smaller breeds, he has less dog-aggressive tendencies than many molossers.

Broholmers don’t require very much grooming and therefore are very easy upkeep. They also rarely drool and keep themselves fairly clean. In terms of exercise, although they are able to keep up with almost any type of physical activity (even including hiking and camping) they don’t actually need very much exercise to keep them happy and calm in the house. A walk every day is highly recommended, however, especially for dogs that don’t live with a fenced backyard. Lastly, although they have a somewhat short lifespan (8-9 years is average), they are generally quite healthy throughout their lives with few health issues seen in the breed.

The Broholmer usually does very well with obedience training, although he often requires an owner who stays firm and doesn’t budge on the rules. He is intelligent but can be stubborn when he wants to be. Although he isn’t known for being aggressive, all giant breeds must be socialized early and given boundaries. An owner must train with confidence and respect! Make sure to keep sessions short, and vary the order of the commands in each training session to keep the dog on his toes.

The Pyrenean Mastiff is friendly to those whom he knows and trusts, although protective of his family. This intelligent molosser breed from Spain is a silent guardian and working breed who watches and protects when necessary. Originally tasked with protecting flocks of sheep in harsh climates, he is brave enough to take down large predators such as wolves if necessary. Oftentimes, only four or five Pyreneans would protect flocks of up to a thousand sheep! This is one of the oldest and most primitive of the Livestock Guardian Dogs. Although they have a similar name, the Pyrenean Mastiff is not the same breed as the Great Pyrenees although the two breeds are related. Along with the Spanish Mastiff, all three breeds developed in a similar area and were used for comparable tasks.

Pyreneans are obedient when trained although do require an owner who upholds firm household rules. Without any rules they may try to push boundaries – a obvious problem for such a giant breed. For this reason they are recommended for experienced owners only. Obedience training is non-negotiable and must be taught. As an independent thinker, training doesn’t come as natural to them as other breeds created to work with people so they will need to be motivated to work! Use plenty of praise and positive reinforcement and start early while they are still small.

Pyrenean Mastiffs have few health issues (hip dysplasia and bloat are seen occasionally) and live fairly long compared to other giant breeds – 10-13 years. This massive breed does require exercise although puppies shouldn’t be walked long distances. They need time for their bodies to get used to the routine and joints need to finish forming. Do take note, however, that even healthy Pyreneans tend to drool fairly excessively and shed heavily twice a year. They do require regular grooming. The thick double coat needs to be brushed every few days and nails must be trimmed regularly – including dewclaws. They don’t need frequent bathing although should be washed when necessary.

Temperamentally, Pyreneans are laid-back and calm. They tend to be reliable and steadfast companions who get along with other pets (even small ones) and children alike. They also don’t tend to mind being left alone or suffer from separation anxiety in general. Fearful and phobic Pyreneans aren’t common as long as they have been socialized (and socialization is extra important for livestock guardian breeds – so make sure to put the time in!). For the most part this is an easy-going breed with a gentle and affectionate nature. Unlike many other Livestock Guardian Dogs, the Pyrenean Mastiff isn’t nearly as suspicious of strangers who enter the home… as long as they are welcomed by the family. They will take fast action if actual danger or a home intrusion takes place, however!

Pyrenean Mastiffs who live in high-traffic areas tend to be louder-than-average dogs since they were bred to bark a warning at anyone entering their territory. Although teaching a quiet command is very possible, it is likely that they will need that command frequently as a reminder. It can be hard to train one to stop completely since it is so ingrained in their makeup. Those that live in more remote or quiet atmospheres are much quieter, however. The breed is also more likely to resource-guard than other breeds, meaning they might become possessive of food or toys. They should be taught the “leave it” and “drop it” skills early in life. It is helpful for all Pyrenean puppies to learn these 3 commands while young.

Be aware that the giant Pyrenean does require a lot of food and is therefore more expensive to keep than a smaller breed. He also fares best in a larger home, ideally with a yard. He was originally bred for traveling with the flock and, while not a super active fellow, does expect to stretch his legs often. A ranch or farm would be ideal, although a large home could suffice. This is a breed best kept by those who can afford to take care of him properly.

Photo CC BY-SA 3.0

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog has been used for guarding both flocks of animals as well as people, so it comes as no surprise that he is exceptionally brave and self-assured. He is also fairly self-sufficient, often being tasked with deciding on his own who is friend and who is foe. Because he is a giant breed (males often reach well over 100 pounds) with strong guard dog instincts and an independent nature, he is not a dog for a first-time dog owner!

Make no mistake – the Central Asian takes his guarding duty very seriously! A highly territorial nature goes along with these instincts. He was originally tasked with guarding people and their possessions, so he will protect his family with his life. While this may seem like a great highlight of the breed, it also means that the owner has a lot of responsibility. For the life of the dog, the owner must provide rigid structure, regular life-long obedience training, and constant supervision whenever the dog is around other people. Many Central Asians take issue with people coming over to the house – so this is definitely not the dog for those who like to throw big parties! While some classify him as a livestock guarding dog, he only guards livestock if it’s in his territory – just as he will guard anything in his territory. This may include guarding the car from the UPS driver or other similar circumstances. The breed is not for the faint of heart!

Although the Central Asian Shepherd is a fairly low-active dog in the house, they do need regular exercise such as a daily walk. Despite their fairly big frame, some people are surprised to learn that they are up to long physical tasks and have no problems with hiking. They do best in homes with a fenced yard in which they can stretch their legs between exercise sessions. Keeping them behind a fence or on-leash when out in public is part of the responsibility that an owner must commit to. And when it comes to fencing… anything less than a 6 foot fence is no match for a Central Asian.

The CAS was developed through natural selection rather than being man-made. As such, there can be a bit of variation in appearance. This said, most members of the breed have a thick undercoat that will shed profusely once a year – and may seem almost unending! Other than this shedding period, the breed is low maintenance when it comes to grooming. Unlike many other molosser breeds, they don’t drool. They are also a fairly healthy and hardy breed, with many individuals living 14-15 years – often unheard of in dogs of this size! Sometimes hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and crippling ACL can occur, although no breed (or mix breed) is immune to the possibility of health issues.

The Central Asian is intelligent, although very independent, and therefore is more difficult than other breeds to train. While the guarding nature of the dog comes naturally and needs no additional training, he definitely requires obedience – more than most breeds, in fact. The training must begin while he is still young and manageable, and be combined with extensive socialization. He must be taught that boundaries should never be crossed. Central Asians were not bred to follow orders. While he should never be allowed to make his own rules, he may need extra time to understand the concept of following commands. Selective deafness is one of the more common ways that he may show his stubborn side – yes, this breed is prone to blowing off commands. He needs a trainer that understands how to work with these traits.

Although they can be quiet in the right households, many CAS can be very vocal in certain situations. Dogs who are kept outside all night are some of the worst offenders, but dogs living in cities or other densely populated areas have also been known to be problem barkers. This is not the best breed for those who have neighbors who might complain about noise. Another possible pitfall is the fact that the breed is big on digging and can create giant craters in the yard.

The Central Asian Shepherd Dog isn’t a typical “family pet”, although can make a great companion if all of his needs are met. He tends to get along well with children and other pets in the family (dogs, cats, small animals and livestock alike) if introduced early. A note should be made, however – he is very dominant and may not take well to new dogs introduced to the family later in the Central Asian’s life – especially if the new dog is also vying for the dominant position in the pack. Neither is he a good candidate for dog parks for similar reasons. Although aloof with strangers (at best), he is extremely loyal and loving to his family, and will show a lot of affection for them in his daily interactions.

The original uploader was Gsicard at English Wikipedia.

The Spanish Mastiff is huge (weighing in between 140 and 200 pounds), yet caring and loving with his owners. He is very aware of his own size and therefore self-assured and even courageous in new situations (when properly socialized). Originally a livestock guardian breed – he will go after a dangerous animal with no hesitation. At home he is polite with family although very wary of strangers entering the home. This awe-inspiring breed is intelligent and fairly long lived for a giant dog, with a lifespan around 10-12 years.

Because of his size, the Spanish Mastiff must be socialized and trained from early on – before he gets too big to handle. Many work very well for food. An owner/trainer must stay consistent with commands and make sure the rules are always followed. Don’t let them make their own rules! If the dog seems to be getting bored, figure out if the dog just needs different motivation, if you need to add more commands to keep things interesting, or if the dog is just trying to get out of doing work. It’s important to stay firm, but fair. Some members of the breed have the tendency toward dominance so training is vital to teach them that you are pack leader.

An expert at protecting both livestock as well as property and home, the Spanish Mastiff’s bark alone is enough to deter most would-be intruders. It can be particularly loud and travel great distances. Originally, this breed would travel with sheep farmers while the shepherds moved their flock to new pastures. It was the Spanish Mastiff’s job to protect the vulnerable sheep from predators. This is a job that they take very seriously. Their hard-working roots also means they are adaptable to all sorts of weather and terrain, although they are much more at home on a larger property than in cramped city life.

Inside the house, the Spanish Mastiff is exceptionally calm and even dignified. Although he shows soft affection he is not one to wear his whole heart on his sleeve. Not that he isn’t loyal (because he very much is), but he prefers to show his affection in subtle ways rather than greet his owners at the door with endless licking and excitement. He’s not the biggest fan of other dogs, however, and may be aggressive towards them. He also does best with either no children or older children, as he can accidentally hurt them.

The medium-length coat of the Spanish Mastiff requires daily brushing to keep it clean and healthy. How often these dogs should be washed is argued among owners, but most dogs do benefit from a good bath when they get considerably dirty. The breed is not known to be particularly smelly, but it will depend on where he lives and the owner’s preference for cleanliness. A few key notes for grooming this breed, however – one unique feature of the Spanish Mastiff is the wrinkled dewlap underneath the neck – this does need to be kept dry so it doesn’t develop sores. It’s also important to clean the ears every week, as the heavy flaps tend to trap moisture and dirt. Finally, clean around the eyes every few days as the wrinkles on the head can cause some eye cleanliness issues. Like all other breeds, keep up with tooth and nail care (this breed sometimes has extra dewclaws which means extra nails to cut).

When it comes to exercise, a long walk daily is preferred. Because of their roots, they enjoy moving from place to place. They don’t necessarily need to jog (this is a slower-paced breed) but they do need to stretch their legs. Most Spanish Mastiffs also appreciate being able to roam in a big fenced yard in addition to their walks. They are independent-natured and appreciate time to themselves in which to watch over their property.

The Spanish Mastiff does best when living with an experienced dog owner. Remember, this is a guard dog and as such requires more understanding and work than the average dog. For example, one cannot just expect to have constant parties at their house or bring their dog with them to crowded events without massive socialization. Even then, an owner must understand the innate nature of the breed and watch the dog for any signs of protectiveness.

A few caveats. As might be expected from this wrinkle-headed creature, the Spanish Mastiff does drool and snore. He also makes a huge mess when drinking water. Furthermore the breed can suffer from hip dysplasia. Not only is it important to choose the individual dog wisely, but also to do plenty of research and soul-searching before embarking on owning one. For those who are up for the challenge, many will never go back to any other type of dog.

Photo By http://delamonteeducol.chiens-de-france.com/

The Alentejo Mastiff (AKA the Portuguese Mastiff) is cool and composed until he needs to take action. This commanding livestock guardian breed is self-assured and should never be timid – although his large frame often means that most humans won’t mess with him anyway. Although one of his original jobs was to guard livestock, he makes an excellent guard of home and property as well. Another early job of this Portuguese breed was that of big game hunter. These dogs would hunt in packs to take down wild boar.

The coat of the Alentejo is short-medium length, with a thick and dense double coat. Generally, this is a low-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming, although they require more grooming when they shed (usually twice a year). They require very infrequent bathing (unless being shown) and the only trimming that is required is clipping the hair from the bottoms of the feet. Like all dogs, however, make sure to keep up with nail care!

Generally a medium-active dog, the Alentejo is said to exert most of his energy during the night – which makes sense since most of his protective duties historically happened at night! This doesn’t mean that they will only protect at night, however, only that they may be more alert and vigilant. Without a flock of sheep, they will guard their owners (including children) and general territory. When not watching over them, the Alentejo Mastiff can be playful and affectionate with children and are usually extremely gentle.

The Alentejo Mastiff is said to be “sober” in the Portuguese standard, which roughly means that he is serious. Like most molosser breeds and livestock guardians, this trait means that an owner needs to be just as serious as he is. Putting the time in to socialize him early and often, as well as dedicating energy to training him, are very important. This is not the breed for a novice owner! A dog of this size who hasn’t received adequate training or socialization can become a liability. When it comes to obedience training the breed is very independent, unlike a Lab or other “traditional” obedience breeds. Combine this with the facts that they have stubborn natures and tend to mature slowly and one might see that they will take a bit more work than many breeds.

The Alentejo does need regular exercise and it is recommended that he be given about an hour’s walk each day if possible (30 minutes may be fine for lower energy individuals). This is not an apartment dog for many reasons, not the least of which is his suspiciousness of strangers. He does best in a large home with a fully fenced yard, without cats or small animals that tend to roam. As they also don’t tend to do great with other dogs, they work best in only-dog situations.

Photo https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1498155

Alentejos aren’t generally noisy dogs but will bark when necessary. The breed isn’t big on strangers, especially those that come over to the house. A large, dominant dog such as this must have regular supervision when people approach the property – they do not take kindly to pet sitters, gardeners or other workers showing up to an unattended home and will take it upon themselves to guard their territory. Alentejos have a strong will and aren’t just passive observers. It is important to note that the breed is more likely to go after someone in a defensive way versus an offensive way, however if they are the only ones at home they will make the decision as to if someone is acting in a way that requires them to be defensive. Do you own an Alentejo Mastiff?

The Tosa is a courageous mastiff-type breed originally bred in Japan as a fighting dog. In fact, members of the breed were treated with great honor during and after a fight, even being outfitted with ceremonial sashes. Nowadays they are used primarily as watch and guard dogs. And they get the job done… these guys can pack a punch as they weigh anywhere from 100 to 200 pounds! Individuals may take up to 4 years in order to become fully mature and reach these heights, although it should be noted that dogs in Japan are often a little smaller.

Tosas are obedient when trained – a good thing, because such a large breed definitely needs early (and continued) obedience training. Without it, they can easily overpower most humans! Seeing as how they are already on “restricted breed lists” in many places, it is vital that those who own them make sure they are good citizens both inside and outside the home. They do best with plenty of positive reinforcement but firm, fair corrections have their place when done correctly. These intelligent, yet dominant dogs do want to please their owners, however they have several quirks that make them ill-suited to being trained by a novice.

The Tosa shouldn’t be ferocious unless he absolutely needs to be. In the home he is calm, quiet and composed. He is always watching vigilantly to make sure his people and property are protected, but he won’t make a huge display unless it is warranted. If it is warranted… he can do a lot of damage. This is a breed that will show loyal affection to his master in an unassuming way, and will treat strangers with aloofness. Outright aggression for no reason is not typical of the breed but it is vital that he be well-bred and given regular training and socialization to make sure this holds true. A poorly bred or untrained Tosa in the wrong hands can be unpredictable and quickly become a liability.

Tosas are easy to groom and are considered a low-shedding breed. Despite this perk, for the many reasons listed above this is still not a breed for a novice dog owner! Their fearless nature and natural protective instinct, combined with their easy grooming, may make them sound perfect to some people but there must be plenty of knowledge, skill and time put into these dogs.

Because of their fighting lineage, the Tosa doesn’t always get along with other dogs, especially if it’s a strange dog coming onto their property (or a dog of the same sex). Many people have a hard time living with multiple dogs when they own this breed. Owners must make sure that their Tosa never gets out to roam – a territorial breed like this one could prove dangerous to other dogs, cats and animals. The breed can even be iffy around livestock. Not every dog works for every person’s situation, and this is a breed that is not adaptable to just any living situation! Another scenario that is less-than-desirable… for many reasons, the Tosa does not work well in an apartment.

Although the Tosa is a low-energy breed, he still needs some exercise. Walks around the neighborhood are great, as well as having access to a fully fenced yard. Electronic fences are not a good idea for this breed. Although they are low energy, they still have a ton of athleticism and are capable of jumping a short fence, or running right through an electronic one with little issue. Seeing a cat running on the other side of the property, for example, is enough of an incentive for most to leap right out of the yard.

Tosas can get along well with children although it is important that he is raised with them from puppy-hood. Furthermore, supervision is 100% necessary whenever the kids and dog are playing together – small kids with flighty movements may invoke his fighting instincts. Furthermore, his sheer bulk makes it easy for him to knock over or accidentally hurt a very small child. Assess the situation carefully before bringing this breed home.

Photo By BUKADAI..JPG