Tosa Inu

COUNTRY: Japan
WEIGHT: 100-200 pounds
HEIGHT: 241/2-251/2 inches minimum (usually much larger)
COAT: Short, smooth
COLOR: Solid red preferred; brindle, dull black, fawn and white markings permitted
OTHER NAMES: Tosa Ken, Tosa Token
GROUP: Mastiff


Dog-fighting has been a passion in Japan for many years, and the Tosa was bred particularly to fill that demand, coming from Tosa, Kochi prefecture. After the National Isolation Policy was lifted in 1854, original spitz-type fighters, such as the Akita, habitually were defeated by European breeds. Fighting enthusiasts wouldn't put up with such loss of face and bred the native dogs to St. Bernards, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Bulldogs and Pointers from the West. This increased size and strength, creating the modem Tosa, a dog similar in type and ability to the European "heavyweights."
The dogs were trained with two whips: one had a loud snap but a small sting and the other was used for punishment, inflicting pain. These canine "sumo wrestlers" were chosen for their silent and stoic fighting—they would not scream or utter a whimper though fighting to the death.
Fights were ceremonial occasions, with the dogs paraded to the ring. They were controlled by thick white ropes tied around their necks and held by strong men bracing their legs. Fights were usually stopped if one combatant eased up or gave ground. Contests for top national honors, however, were sometimes allowed to go the bitter and deadly end. Winners received ceremonial aprons, beautiful and valuable, with some priced at $31,000!

The breed suffered setbacks during World War II, as did other large dogs around the world. Favorites were sent to isolated areas in northern Japan, where they continued to be bred. Later fighting enthusiasts standardized appearance and revived the breed to its former glory. They have been exported, in small numbers, to other areas, including the USA and Germany, where they exist as companions and guards only.

The standard notes its aggression toward other dogs. The Tosa gives no ground; it attacks head on. Although massive, the Tosa is agile and athletic, requiring an owner willing to discipline and capable of physically handling and mentally dominating a large, powerful dog. Nevertheless, if properly handled, the Tosa Inu is a quiet, well-behaved breed and is a good family companion.

Tahltan Bear Dog

COUNTRY: Canada
WEIGHT: 15 pounds maximum
HEIGHT: 15 inches maximum
COAT: Short, dense, close-coated, with bushy tail
COLOR: Black or blue with small white markings
GROUP: Southern



Raised by the Tahltan Indians to hunt bear,, the Tahltan Bear Dog was a mighty power in a small package. Before a hunt, the dogs were ceremonially bled by stabbing them in the hindquarters with the fibula bone of a fox or wolf. The morning of the hunt, two dogs were carried in a sack over the Indian's shoulder until fresh bear tracks were sighted. Upon release, these little dogs moved lightly over the crust of snow while the bear was slowed down by the deep drifts. Their foxlike staccato yaps harassed the bear into submission or confused him until the Indians could come close enough for a kill. To prepare for a foray against big cats, a claw from a dead lynx was used to ceremonially mark the dog's face.
The Tahltan Bear Dog had the courage to face a bear, but was friendly and gentle with smaller
animals and with humans. They lived in the tent with the family, sharing bed and board. A Jesuit of the 17th century described the Indians' communal houses in winter, saying he "could not decide which was worse—the smoke, the fleas or the dogs."
Descended from pariah-type dogs that had come with prehistoric migrations, the Tahltan Dogs were centralized in the remote mountainous areas of northwestern British Columbia and the southern Yukon. Their usual diet was small bits of birds, meat and fish, and they flourished in the bitter cold. Outside their native environment, they succumbed to distemper, heat prostration and problems due to dietary changes. As white explorers came into the territory, bringing a variety of other dogs, the Tahltan Dog became diluted.
Like others of their group, they had a peculiar yodel. Foxy in appearance, their main distinction among dogs is their novel tail. Shortjbushy and carried erect, it has been described variously as a shaving brush or a whisk broom.
The CKC has recognized the breed for many years, but it has been over 20 years since the last Tahltan Bear Dog was registered. In 1984, only two spayed bitches of this type were recorded as living in Canada. Sadly, it appears the breed may be doomed.

GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER

COUNTRY: Germany
WEIGHT: 55-77 pounds
HEIGHT: Minimum 21 inches, 25-27¹/2 inches
COAT: Moderate length, wavy but tough in texture, never woolly or curly; not more than 2 inches in length, with some fringe on legs, ears, and underside

COLOR:Usually solid liver can have white on chest and head;also liver/white spotted
OTHER NAMES:Deutscher
Laanghaariger Vorstehhund,Langhaar
GROUP:Gun Dog






The Langhaar has been known for nearly as long as the other German vorstehhunden, as some of this variety were shown at an exhibition in Hanover in 1879. Longhaired gun dogs populated Europe, and the Longhaired Pointer was originally developed from among these. Later, as field work became emphasized over woods work, the breed was refined by crosses to setters from England. Despite the softer appearance of the flowing coat and liquid brown eyes, the breed is expected to perform all of the exacting hunting chores expected of German dogs—and does them well.

The Canadian Kennel Club recognizes the breed, but the numbers are small there, as they are in Germany today. Some breed interest is awakening in the Netherlands. As long as he has creative outlets for expending his energy (running, long walks, hunting), he is a sweet-na-tured dog that is "a big friend of the whole family." He enjoys feeling useful, and is easily trainable. An example of the enthusiasm is demonstrated by a female, "Niner," taught to bring the paper from the paperbox to the family in return for a dog biscuit. One morning, after receiving her treat, she returned with a second paper, and then another and another, until quite a heap was gathered. A little detective work showed the dog had "retrieved" all the papers from the neighborhood. The owners quietly returned the papers to their proper places, and ceased the exercise for a time. Niner, however, wasn't content, and ran beside the delivery car until the driver handed her a paper and Niner was again able to perform her task.

Their "long" coat is not so abundant as to require extensive grooming. The beautiful, flagged tail is left intact. They follow the other German utility dogs in conformation, with the high flat ear and the clean head, sans hanging lips.

GERMAN HUNT TERRIER

COUNTRY: Germany

WEIGHT: 20-22 pounds

HEIGHT: 16 inches

COAT: Short and coarse, or harsh wire, broken

COLOR: Black/tan, chocolate/tan or red

OTHER NAMES: Deutscher Jagdterrier

GROUP: Terrier






During the 1940s, four German sportsmen aspired to establish their own breed of all-purpose game terrier for hunting and going to ground. C.E. Gruenwald, Chief Forester R. Fiess, Dr. Herbert Lackner and Walter Zangenbert, who was also a writer on hunting, used dogs of the old Broken-haired Black and Tan type from England, probably similar to what is now called Patterdale. This type was crossed with German-bred Wire Fox Terriers. The progeny had both smooth and wire coats. With careful selection, type was quickly cemented. FCI recognized the Jagdterrier in a remarkably short period of time. This breed is a pure hunting machine, not recommended for use as a house dog. He is so aggressive that some label him as cruel to prey. Any animal is fair game: badgers, fox, even the dangerous wild boar.
This belligerence can make him cantankerous with cats or other dogs. The German Hunt Terrier is also utilized for tracking and retrieving, as well as working underground. Guarding of his master's home and property comes naturally. Those who know him well warn that he may not tolerate friendly advances from anyone other than his master. He is a one-person dog, and even that person has to earn his respect, but once earned, he is devoted. This is a dog that can only fully be appreciated by serious hunters or professional foresters, who have great admiration for his courage and ability.

In Germany, specimens of this breed must pass working tests prior to being granted club approval to reproduce. With the breed club refusing to register offspring of non-working parents, casual fanciers are discouraged to insure maintenance of working qualities. The Jagdter-rier is only rarely exhibited.

Some specimens were brought to the USA in the 1950s. For a time, a breed club was in exis-tencej but interest does not seem to have been maintained.

The tail is usually docked to about half the original length, but the ears are left intact to tip forward. At this time, only the rough coat is acceptable.