Tosa vs Jindo - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Hailing from Korea, the Jindo dog's name is actually taken from the island Jindo. The dogs lived on the island for thousands of years, developing into a natural breed with good hunting skills.

They are also known as Jin Dog, Jindo-kae or Jindo-kyon. The exact origins of the Korean Jindo are unknown and it is believed to have been developed from different Mongolian breeds.

They were brought to the United States and been entered into the American Kennel Club.

Known also as the Japanese Mastiff, the Tosa hails from Japan. In fact, these dogs come from the Tosa Province, so the dog was named after the region where they were bred.

It is why they are sometimes referred to as Japanese Mastiffs. The Tosa is a rare dog breed and unfortunately, the dog is still used in Japan for dogfighting.

Thought to be a dangerous dog breed, it is restricted in some countries.

The breed was developed in the 2nd half of the 19th century, with a number of dog breeds being involved to bring about a more powerful, braver dog.

The Jindo is a medium sized spitz-type dog breed which is well-proportioned with erect ears and a long tail which is held over the dog's back.

He stands at roughly 45 – 65cm and they weigh anything between 11 to 23kg. The coat of the dog is medium length and available in a number of colors – yellow, tan, red, white, brindle, black or bi-color such as black and tan.

When you look at the Jindo you get the impression of bright alertness and intelligence. He makes a great watchdog, and with his bright, alert eyes and upright ears, he just looks like he is on guard.

Temperament:

The Jindo has always been a hunting dog so he has learned to be bold, tenacious and alert. He is also brave, courageous, loving and loyal to his master, but you need to know that he is a dominant dog who will get on well with an owner who is fair, strong, patient, kind and firm.

These dogs are strong willed, independent and dominant as well as being intelligent. He will require socialization and training from an early age. Be fair, firm and consistent with your instructions which he will obey once he has been trained. With training he gets on well with children in the home but he is inclined to have some difficulty with accepting other dogs into the family.

As with any dog breed, the temperament of the Jindo will vary according to the environment he lives in and the type of owners he has. The typical Jindo is an affectionate dog with his human family, being a little bit reserved around strangers.

The Tosa is a large dog, but their sizes vary, and in fact, because of their fighting, they are actually divided into light-, middleweight and heavyweight classes.

Generally, you can say that these dogs weigh in the region of 54 to 90kg and they stand in height at between 62 to 82cm. The head is large, the jaws powerful, the eyes dark brown in color, the ears small, high set and floppy.

The neck is broad wit a dewlap and the tail is long, thick and tapering to a point. The coat is short and thick and is most times a rich caramel color, fawn tan, black or brindle. The dog often has a black mask.

Temperament:

The Tosa is a fairly quiet dog, courageous and fearless. He is going to need a strong, consistent owner who shows leadership with him. Training and socialization will be imperative for this dog.

When he has been properly reared and trained, he makes a good pet, able to get on with members of the family. He takes his role as protector and guardian seriously.

The Jindo makes an awesome pet for owners who enjoy an active lifestyle. A happy, contented Jindo becomes a devoted, loyal pet who wants to guard and protect his owner from strangers, for whom he is wary and reserved.

He is an intelligent pet too, being easy to train and socialize and while independent, he loves to spend time with his human family and is an all-round excellent pet.

The Tosa isn’t recommended for first-time dog owners, as in the wrong hands, they can become aggressive. Care has to be taken around children too especially undisciplined ones.

He also doesn't come as recommended for small, cramped homes in the city. He’s just too big and he will need to get out and be walked often.

You want to create a home for him that ensures he is the calm, gentle dog he is capable of being, If you’re fair, firm, caring, patient and consistent, then this big dog might be for you. With the right care he becomes a gentle, devoted pet.

The Korean Jindo dog is looked upon as a generally healthy dog breed with no serious genetic problems to talk about. Look out for eye diseases and dental decay as well as hypothyroidism, a common disease in dogs where you notice deterioration with the coat – thinning, dry and dull.

The dog’s skin also becomes flaky and you’ll notice that your once energetic pet is now gaining weight and is lethargic. Get him to the vet. Hypothyroidism can be treated simply by your vet to get your pet healthy once again.

The Tosa is a formidable looking molossoid, but even so, this big, calm dog can succumb to illness. Some of these diseases you need to be looking out for include bloat,hip dyslasia and eye conditions.

Bloat for this dog can be life-threatening, and can often be because the dog is too hungry and he gobbles up his food quickly. Bloat is when gas can't escape, the stomach swells and twists – very dangerous. Rather give your dog two smaller meals – one in the morning and one in the evening, or even give several smaller portions throughout the day.

To help with eliminating health issues always choose a reputable Tosa breeder. You’re not likely to find one of these dogs in a dog shelter.

Grooming:

The Jindo has a double coat and this sheds heavily about twice a year, so certainly during these shedding periods you will need to brush his coat twice a week to keep it free from loose hair.

Never just assume that your dog is healthy and happy. When you brush him, check him over for ticks and fleas, check him for any unusual lumps, make sure his nose is wet and that his eyes are bright. Look at the condition of his fur, check his teeth and inside his ears – there are lots of tell-tale signs that can indicate that all is not well with your pet and then you need to get him to the vet.

Diet:

As a medium-sized breed, if you feed your dog commercially manufactured food, he will require a high quality food that has been formulated for a dog of his size and his activity levels. Mix some home-made cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta as well as vegetables into his kibble and try to include some raw meat in occasionally too. He needs to always have access to fresh, clean water.

Exercise:

The Jindo is a high energy dog, and with his bright face you can tell that he is always ready for action. Long ago he was bred to perform hunting and retrieving type jobs, and with their stamina, they require having a busy day.

They certainly require a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation, so you will need to include him in your daily walks and give him exciting ball games.

Diet:

These large, strong dogs do well on good quality food. If you opt to buy him commercially manufactured food, make sure it is the top quality one free of unwholesome ingredients such as preservatives, colorants and useless fillers.

Invest in the best quality ones that have nutritious minerals and vitamins. Try and give your dog some home-prepared food too – boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, spinach, sweet-potatoes and carrots.

Never feed your dog things such as chocolates, peanuts, crisps, grapes, onion and food with spicy flavorings. This will just ensure digestive problems and having to get your dog to the vet.

Cool, fresh water should be available at all times.

Grooming:

The Tosa’s short coat isn’t going to require too much attention. A good brush twice a week will keep it free from loose hair and keep its shine and gleam. It’s why the dog is looked upon as being low maintenance.

Beyond that, he will need to have his nails trimmed. When brushing him, check him over for parasites – ticks and fleas, check for unusual lumps and look inside his ears for signs of redness.

Exercise:

These dogs are calm and fairly low-energy. Nonetheless, to maintain good health, he will need to be exercised. Ball games outside are always a good idea as well as nice long walks. Hikes into the countryside will be wonderful for this big dog.