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Tosas and Pitbulls in Japan

Discussion in 'APBT History' started by F.W.K., Dec 4, 2017.

  1. F.W.K.

    F.W.K. CH Dog

    Tosas and Pitbulls in Japan

    The breeds of dogs used in the fighting rings of Japan are the Tosa and the APBT. (American Pitbull Terrier) All the other fighting type breeds (Neos, Dougues, English Mastiffs, American Bulldogs, Presas, Cane Corsos, Dogos, etc, and even 2 versions of Pakistani Fighting dogs) have been imported and tried in Japan at one time or another both against the Tosa and the APBT and have had little to no success. Clearly, the Tosa and APBT are the breed of choice for Japanese dogmen and it is rare or almost unheard of to see any other type of breed in any kind of sanctioned tournament. Both of these breeds have been bred solely for its effectiveness in the ring for many generations and are continued to be bred this way today.

    Today, there are basically two types of matches in Japan. One is the traditional match: usually held in a raised platform shaped as an Octagon. These usually have a time limit of 30 minutes but with some locations like Okinawa have longer time limits at 40 minutes. The time limit is in place so that they allow the number of dogs that are entered at a tournament to take place at a steady pace. Additionally, only males are usually allowed to fight in the tournaments. In this type of match there are usually 3 judges that rule and sit on top of the ring, the owners are not allowed to be in the ring and must direct their dogs from the top of the ring and are not allowed to touch the dogs at any time. Once the dogs are released and after the first min. or two, all growling or vocalization from the dogs must cease. (they should be in holds by that time anyway!) The first dog that starts to whine, cry, growl, bark, etc..(seri) is the loser. Also the dog that starts to turn away from it's opponent (3 steps to be exact) (hashiri) is also the loser, jumping the ring or attempts to leave the fight is also the loser. Basically, the rules are set in place that a dog with questionable braveness has all the opportunity to leave the fight to determine the braver of the two. A dog that does not show any signs of quitting could lose if he is simply overpowered and it becomes a one way fight. When the duration of the bout gets longer, and both opponents start to become winded, a winner can be determined by the dog that is in holds and the loser that is out of holds for a length of time. (Osaekomi) If both dogs are winded and out of holds, the dog that is standing at the 3 minute time limit will be the winner. If both dogs are still fighting and in holds at the 30 minute mark then it will be a tie. At the 30 minute mark, if one of the dogs is out of holds, or lying down and the other one is relentlessly attacking, then the one still fighting will be the winner. By far, the traditional match is more common and popular throughout Japan. Tosas are the most commonly used breed for this type of match, however there are large numbers of APBTs that also participate in these matches, especially in Okinawa. In most of these traditional tournaments, there are 4 weight classes: light weight.: 30kg min.- 40kg (kogata), middle weight: 40kg - 45kg (chugata), heavy weight: 45kg-55kg (oogata), super heavy weight 55kg - 65kg (cho-oogata), and unlimited class over 65kg (musabetsu). Of course, some of the APBT clubs that participate in traditional matches have their own sets of weight classes. Most dogs are matched by weight and it is uncommon for dogs to be matched from different weight classes. However, a 30kg dog may be matched to a 39kg dog or a 45kg dog into a 55kg dog, as long as they fit in the particular weight classes.

    The second type of match is similar or almost identical to Western style "scratch and turn" Cajun rules and these matches are held in a "box" that is roughly 16ft. by 16ft. or a little larger. "Scratch" lines are taped to the carpet at two corners and the dogs are released at the corners. In this type of match there is no time limit and dogs can make any vocalizations during the match. Typically, one of the dogs will begin to turn after some duration "to look for a way out" and then the dog that makes the turn will have to scratch first. The dogs will be gathered-up by the handlers and with the aide of a break-stick will be parted and sent back to it's respective corners and turned around with its face to the corner, a wet sponge is usually used to refresh the dog for a few seconds, the dog making the scratch will be faced towards it's opponent after about 10 sec. in the corner and the dog will have to come across the ring and grab hold of the opponent at the other corner. Failure to do so in 10sec. will be a loss. After the first completed scratch of the first dog that turns, the next scratch will be the other dog even if the same dog turns a second time. From this point on each dog takes it's turn "scratching" after each turn is called by the judge. A dog that fails to scratch is the loser. In these matches, the owner or handler is in the ring with his/her dog but cannot touch him, except when called to do so by the judge during a scratch. This style of match has been in existence in Japan for about 40yrs or so perhaps since the reintroduction of game bred APBTs around that time. Today, most of the scratch and turn matches are held exclusively using APBTs, though there are some that use small Tosas at the heavy weight class of the scratch and turn tournaments with success. On the same token there are large APBTs that have been successful in the lightweight division of the Tosa style traditional matches.

    Dog fighting tournaments, whether its the Tosa style or APBT style matches are held in a very organized matter with lot's of planning involved. Participants pay dues to a fighting association and dogs are matched fairly and evenly as possible. Since it is considered a sport, gambling on the dogs are not allowed and stiff punishments can be handed down by fighting clubs to its members not adhering to its rules. This also includes abuse or neglect of a fighting dog by its members. Keeping any dog in Japan is expensive, let alone large fighting dogs, and usually those who are "financially responsible" are capable of owning and participating in these activities. Incidents of fighting dogs injuring people are extremely rare in Japan compared to the West where breed bans namely the APBT has occurred in numerous countries and towns. One of the main factors of this is; it is rare for Japanese dogfighters to keep and breed Tosas and APBTs that are man-aggressive. Fighting dogs in general including those of the west need to be handled by people during a match and a dangerous dog is usually not allowed to participate for very long. Tosas and pits in Japan are rarely used for any sort of protection work and are not considered a good choice as they are usually naturally man friendly and submissive by nature. Not to mention having a trained man-biting 100lb+ Tosa is a little overkill to use against humans. This sort of "hobby" if it were to get popular in Japan (as it is in the U.S. and Europe) would not only jeopardize the whole sport of dogfighting but would definitely lead to the ban of Tosas or APBTs in Japan. It is my belief that the bad press associated with the APBT in the West stems from the recent popularity of APBT by non dogfighting enthusiasts bent on having a macho dog to intimidate everybody in the neighborhood, man-aggressive dogs that would have been "naturally" culled by responsible dogmen.

    By Touryuka
     
    Jstaff likes this.
  2. Jstaff

    Jstaff Big Dog

    In my opinion this is how it should be in every country, banning it has done no favours for anyone especially the dogs!
     
  3. F.W.K.

    F.W.K. CH Dog

    Jstaff

    In my opinion this is how it should be in every country, banning it has done no favours for anyone especially the dogs!


    In country's such as The Netherlands new laws are in the making to label about 25 different breeds of dogs as high risk dogs.
    People who own a dog from one of these breeds have to take classes with their animals to get a license to keep their animal in the near future.
    Without an license the law confiscate the animal and destroy it and give the owner a fine to boot.
    Licensed dogs from these breeds aren't allouwed to walk loose or without a muzzle in public.
    Inresponsible owners and ruthless breeders and the blowing out of proportions media coverage over the years have lead to this list and a new set of rules for these so called high risk dogs.
    And bloodsports such as dogfighting /badger digging and so on shal never be legal or be accepted in today's modern western society.
     
  4. Jstaff

    Jstaff Big Dog

    I think the licensing part is a pretty good idea on the whole ,maybe it would deter the fools who want a macho looking dog to go around terrorising and intimidating people, after all we know these dogs are serious and that we should be serious and not naive when owning said dog.
    It's better than banning a breed outright which unfortunately is what has happened with the APBT and Tosa Inu in the uk
     
  5. CockneyRebel

    CockneyRebel Big Dog

    This guy owned both Bulldogs and Tosas, he said sometimes they match both breeds together. It would have to be a lightweight Tosa against a catchweight Bulldog.
     
  6. F.W.K.

    F.W.K. CH Dog

    This is the list of high risk dogs in Holland.

    The following dogs, look-alikes and all crosses with or between this dogs are labelled as high risk dogs.

    1. Akita
    2. American Bulldog
    3. American Pitbull Terriër
    4. American Staffordshire Terrier
    5. Boerboel
    6. Bull Mastiff
    7. Bull Terrier
    8. Cane Corso
    9. Dogo Argentino
    10. Dogo Canario
    11. Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
    12. Rottweiler
    13. Tosa
    14. Fila Brasileiro
    15. Anatolische herder,
    16. South-Russian Owcharka
    17. Kaukasische Owcharka
    18. Pitbull breeds: all crosses with a pitbull: pocket bully, micro bully, pocket pitbull, extreme pocket bully, Regular bully, Regular Pitbull, xl en xxl pitbull, xl en xxl bully, rednose pitbull, rednose bully
    19. Bully Kuta
    20. Alano
    21. Bandog
    Dogs with an FCI pedigree don't have to aply to these rules.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Jstaff

    Jstaff Big Dog

    Ridiculous, any dog can be high risk in the wrong hands
     
    Bolushi likes this.

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