Tosa Inu Dog Breed Information
Also known as: Tosa Ken, Japanese Tosa, Tosa Fighting Dog
A Japanese Mastiff-type breed, listed under New Zealand's Schedule 4 of the Dog Control Act 1996. Importation is prohibited and any existing NZ Tosa must be sterilised, microchipped, muzzled and leashed in public.
A highly affectionate dog. On the practical side: low grooming demands. The trade-off is drooly.
About the Tosa Inu.
The Tosa Inu is a Japanese Mastiff-type breed listed on Schedule 4 of New Zealand’s Dog Control Act 1996. Importation is prohibited and any existing NZ Tosa must be sterilised, microchipped, registered, securely contained, and muzzled and leashed in any public space. The page exists for completeness; for almost all NZ readers the practical answer is that the breed is unavailable.
Personality and behaviour
Bred specifically for the Japanese tradition of dog fighting, with pronounced same-sex aggression and high prey drive. Loyal to family, deeply suspicious of strangers, intolerant of other dogs in the home. The breed predates modern positive-reinforcement breeding programmes for temperament; selection pressure was for the opposite.
Care and exercise
60 minutes a day of structured walking on lead. Diet is large-breed appropriate, 400-600 g of quality dry food daily, split into two meals because the deep chest carries bloat risk. Coat care is minimal. The legal and welfare considerations of NZ ownership outweigh any care decisions for almost all readers.
The Tosa Inu, by the numbers.
Each trait scored 1 to 5 on the AKC scale. The verdict synthesises the data; the panels below show the strengths, group averages, and the full trait table.
Top strengths
Family Life
avg 2.3Affectionate with Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Physical
avg 3.0Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Drooling
Social
avg 2.5Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Personality
avg 2.8Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a Tosa Inu.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a Tosa Inu costs to own.
An indicative NZ lifetime cost: purchase, setup, then food, vet, insurance, grooming and other annual outgoings. Adjust the inputs to see how your choices change the total.
A Tosa Inu costs about
$425per month
$98
$14
$56,594
Adjust the inputs:
Where the monthly cost goes
Food
$199 / mo
$2,390/yr · breed-appropriate dry & wet food
Insurance
$136 / mo
$1,634/yr · lifetime cover protects against breed-specific claims
Vet (avg)
$44 / mo
$530/yr · routine checks plus breed-specific risk
Grooming
$8 / mo
$100/yr · brushes, shampoo, professional clips
Other
$38 / mo
$450/yr · toys, treats, dental, boarding
Indicative NZ averages calculated from breed weight, grooming need and screened-condition count. One-off costs (purchase $0 + setup $450) are factored into the lifetime total but not the monthly figure.
How does the Tosa Inu compare?
This breed
Tosa Inu
$56,594
11-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$450
- Food (lifetime)$26,290
- Vet (lifetime)$5,830
- Insurance (lifetime)$17,974
- Grooming (lifetime)$1,100
- Other (lifetime)$4,950
Reference
Average NZ medium dog
$38,920
12-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$2,200
- Food (lifetime)$13,200
- Vet (lifetime)$6,000
- Insurance (lifetime)$11,400
- Grooming (lifetime)$2,400
- Other (lifetime)$3,720
A Tosa Inu costs about $17,674 more over a lifetime than the average nz medium dog, mostly higherfood and higherinsurance.
What to ask the breeder.
Reputable NZKC breeders test for these conditions and share results without being prompted. If a breeder won't share screening results, that is itself an answer.
Common
2 conditionsHip dysplasia
A common condition in the Tosa Inu. Ask the breeder about screening.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
A common condition in the Tosa Inu. Ask the breeder about screening.
Occasional
1 conditionCardiac disease
An occasional condition in the Tosa Inu. Worth asking about and DNA testing where available.
The Tosa Inu in NZ.
- Popularity: Effectively absent. Schedule 4 prohibition under DCA 1996.
- Typical price: NZ$0–0 from registered breeders
- Rescue availability: rare
- NZ climate fit: Suits all NZ regions; manage Northland heat.
- Living space: Rural setting with secure containment is the only viable arrangement.
Who the Tosa Inu is for.
Suits
- Existing pre-Schedule-4 owners with full legal compliance
Less suited to
- Anyone trying to import a new dog (prohibited)
- Households with children, other dogs, or close neighbours
Common questions.
Can I import a Tosa Inu to New Zealand?
What are the legal requirements for an existing NZ Tosa?
If the Tosa Inu appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
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Last reviewed:
Sources for this pageInformation only. Breed traits and health notes on this page are aggregated from public registry and breed-authority sources. Individual animals vary; this page is general information, not veterinary, behavioural, or insurance advice. Always consult a registered NZ vet or breeder for guidance specific to your situation.