Rottie + a Tosa Inu doable?

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by seoultrader

All input appreciated. However, I've given my word and can''t back out so I'll have to find some solution for seperation while out of the house during the day.

Our two personal bitches have had a couple of fights. Fortune was kind during each of these incidents—both DH and I were home when they broke out. Our youngest bitch weighs 65 lbs, our older bitch 82. I would have been hard pressed to separate them w/o help. And Rotties weren’t bred as fighting dogs.

People with experience don’t ask others for opinions, so because you asked us you aren’t knowledgeable. At best, you have limited understanding of the position in which you’re placing yourself, your Rottie, and the Tosa.

Standing by your rashly given word is foolish and potentially dangerous.

Don’t be a fool.

Tell your friend you’ve rethought your offer and you find you can no longer foster his dog because the potential danger to you and your dog is too great. It’s almost certain that if your Rottie and the Tosa get into a fight, the Tosa will kill your dog.

If you’re present, imagine the horror of watching your dog killed by another dog and you being completely unable to do a thing to prevent it.

Have the breeder of your friend's Tosa babysit the dog.

[Jaidann]

I have to ask this. Why did you even ask? If you aren't going to take the responses given, it makes no sense to ask the question.

I'm sorry but this truly is a very very bad idea. Since you had to ask about the Rottweilers reaction, it leads me to believe you are just learning about them. Throw in a Tosa that you don't know much about and you are begging for a serious issue.

Before you get injured or worse yet, your beautiful pup gets tore up, listen to the advice you have been given and DON'T DO IT!

[spidey]

Having lived with two male dogs who hated each other (both under 60 pounds, both of normally dog-friendly breeds, neither bred for fighting or protection, so NONE of the issues you have in this case, other than same sex similar age dogs in the same house, and STILL a dangerous situation), it was stressful and regularly nerve-wracking, and the few occasions when these dogs were accidentally allowed out together resulted in trips to the vet emergency clinic.

PLEASE RETHINK THIS - you are VASTLY underestimating how dangerous a serious dog fight can be, and with these two breeds, it could easily be fatally dangerous, are you honestly prepared to take that risk? People who have never experienced a real dog fight first hand always seem to assume that those who have are overstating things, I assure you that we are not. Pretty well every time I discuss dog aggression with people who have never experienced a real dog fight, they assume that a dog fight is the loud snapping and snarling you see at the dog park, everyone has seen that, and dogs rarely get hurt in one of those, right? Right. But that's not a fight, that's an argument, the difference between one of those arguments and a fight is the difference between a lawsuit and a contract killing. The point of an argument/lawsuit, is to resolve a difference or punish a transgression, the point of a contract killing/real fight is to permanently take your enemy out of the picture. In the wild, dogs who have serious issues with each other do not live together, one will leave or be chased out, so it rarely escalates to the level of one killing the other, in a domestic situation, the tension builds, there is no resolution, and one dog will try to kill the other. Please believe me, everything might be fine, but if it is not, you do NOT want to be stuck in the middle, and keeping 2 large dogs 100% separated 100% of the time is much harder than you'd think, especially if they have a real hate for each other. Dogs can and do kill each other distressingly often, much more often than people think, and it is almost always in precisely the sort of situation you're considering having in your home: same sex, similar age dogs living in the same house.

The responsible thing to do for your friend is explain why this is a bad idea, and help him/her find alternate arrangements (perhaps with the Tosa's breeder?).

[missingmarley]

If I were you, I'd print out this thread and show it to your friend.

'Nuff said.

[Jaidann]

Bad Idea!!!! The Tosa Inu was bred for fighting. In fact, if you do some history research on the Tosa Inu, the Japanese used to have their samurai warriors study these dogs. Here is a little excerpt ....

In Japan today, dogfighting is still practiced; and the Japanese revere the Tosa as the embodiment of a warrior. Historically, the Samurai were instructed to study the Tosa during combat to learn fearlessness, tenacity, and courage. Surprisingly, the rules governing Japanese dogfights are stringent and complex, and the Japanese have ennobled Tosa dogfights with all the pageantry and ceremony of Sumo Wrestling. In Japan; the Tosa is referred to as the "Sumo" dog because of its’ great size and strength. Recondite and metaphorical, Tosa dogfights are not fought to the death. In Japan; unbridled aggression or expedient victories are discouraged in dogfighting. Anthropomorphized to be warriors, in the fight arena; the Tosa is judged: by the duration of the fight, the quality of the opponent, courage, and endurance. A combatant is more highly respected If he fights courageously and for longer durations. Those competitors with many "quick wins" will be ranked lower than the competitor who routinely lasts the duration of the 30 minute bout.

Your OWN post should have given you the answer to this....

"Question - the Tosa (near 180lb) is huge, a lot bigger than my Rott (100 lb) and all muscle and I have no doubt that he'd tear him apart if it ever came to a fight (no way I'd step in if that ever happened, I ain't suicidal)"

Ask yourself...WHAT IF? Do you not value your Rottie enough and have enough common sense to tell your friend to find something else to do with HIS dog. Why put yours in harms way? If your friend cannot understand the danger of this .....personally, I'd be looking for new friends.

[seoultrader]

My my, you folks certainly are serious about this, if somewhat snide in your comments. But good, I can respect that.

Once again, I've given my word to a friend of 20 yrs with whom I've gone through hell and back (if the dog ever gives me cover fire while bullets are flying over my head, I'll elevate his status to best friend as well^^) and that supercedes anything in my book, even the potential risk to my own dog or myself.

To the one or two posters who actually replied with some constructive advice instead of infantile tantrums - thank you, I will heed it as best I can (i.e. seperation for the whole time I will have the Tosa). Luckily, I have a large plot in the back of the house where I can build a huge kennel if need be.

Thanks again~

[lblax]

Originally Posted by seoultrader

All input appreciated. However, I've given my word and can''t back out so I'll have to find some solution for seperation while out of the house during the day.

probably a couple of those accordian baby gates and you will be good to go!!!

[fostermom]

I have had dogs tear apart wire crates..my sister's gsd ripped apart a sliding glass door....I have a friend who's one dog jumped through a closed window to get at and attack their other dog...please DO make certain any containment system is extremely secure. As mentioned before, dogs not living together may tolerate each other but once under the same roof, dominance and territorality start kicking in. Is there any way you can have friends or family watch YOUR dog while you are keeping your friend's dog? Same sex, same age...and we never found out if either of these dogs is neutered...and with your boy starting to reach adulthood...all can have the potential for a disastrous outcome. PLEASE do not put your boy in any kind of jeopardy...again, make absolutely certain both dogs are securely contained separate from each other at all times.
People are passionate about it because they understand the probably outcome of this.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by seoultrader

...the Tosa (near 180lb) is huge, a lot bigger than my Rott (100 lb) and all muscle and I have no doubt that he'd tear him apart if it ever came to a fight (no way I'd step in if that ever happened, I ain't suicidal). Should I be very worried about this possibly happening once they live totgether...

Originally Posted by seoultrader

...My my, you folks certainly are serious about this, if somewhat snide in your comments......

Well, that's because we have experience where you have none.

Originally Posted by seoultrader

......I've given my word to a friend of 20 yrs...and that supercedes anything in my book, even the potential risk to my own dog or myself.

There is little that is more potentially dangerous than neophyte owners of big, powerful dogs.

Your Tosa owning friend is a newbie to his breed, just like you are to yours. No Tosa savvy owner would ask a friend--regardless of how long they've been friends to simply mind his or her Tosa w/o making sure the Tosa and Rottie would be securely separated from each other.

Originally Posted by seoultrader

...To the one or two posters who actually replied with some constructive advice instead of infantile tantrums - thank you,.

You are so very welcome! I hope you suggested to the Tosa's owner that he talk to the breeder of his dog about caring for the dog while he's gone--something I encouraged you to do.

As a general observation, you are one of the legion of newbie posters who get nasty when advice they receive clearly isn't what they wanted to hear.

Why bother to come here if you already have made up your mind?

[Sheenagirl]

I replied to your post because I am worried about the wellfare of your dog.
It sure sounds like your friend really doesn't care (or is naive) about your dog getting mauled and killed - he is probably thinking his dog would be the one that's okay or he wouldn't ask you to keep his dog.
You even go so far as to say you owe this friend - even if there is a "potential risk" for both you and your dog.
So, your mind is made up. Six months is a very, very long time to keep two dogs separate.
The Tosa would be quite capable of destroying a metal cage or enclosure. Also very capable of going through windows and doors - not to mention it isn't fair to keep the dogs locked up in a room for six months!
I hope you build an extremely heavy duty enclosure outside for the Tosa and do not let them together or even near each other for the entire six months.
You now know what lies ahead for you and your dog.
I truly hope everything goes well...

[observer]

Originally Posted by rutylr

Is your word worth loosing your dog over?

My thoughts exactly. No way should your dog be in this position for the next six months.

I, too, wonder why you came here to ask if you had already given your "word" and your word means more than your dog's life. Your dog has no one but you to stand up for him, while your friend has, or should have, other options.

Your "friend" needs to understand the responsibility he undertook when he decided to have such a dog if circumstances were to arise where he could not keep him with him.

[kilasmamix3]

I do think that you should rethink this... Sorry to say; but if you TRUELY love your Rottweiler, you'd tell your friend the consiquences you might have for your dog.

Dezaree

[Steelerfan]

Have your friend spend a weekend at your place with his dog, let him see what happens.

[seoultrader]

Update

So yesterday my pal came over for a few beers and we let the two dogs out in the yard and as usual, they didn't hang around each other, each flopping down in different corners and snoring away.

We decided to give it a test. I got a big dog cookie and threw mid-line between the two. Rott sloooowly gets up, starts slowly shuffling toward the cookie. Tosa suddenly jumps up and runs toward Rott/cookie. Tosa plows into Rott just as Rott arrives, knocking him on his ass and devours cookie.

Rott starts his "You just made a big mistake, dude" bark, Tosa ignores but stands his ground. Rott slaps Tosa with his paw, Tosa jumps on him and pins him. No teeth involved at any point, but lots of scary growling.

After 30 secs they're both panting and flop down, this time near each other.

30 Min later threw another treat near the middle and this time the Rott got it cuz I guess he's figured out he better get there fast. Tosa realizes cookie gone and flops back down.

All in all both dogs were together 5 hours off leash, 2 hours of which were more or less unsupervised when my friend and I went inside to watch a game.

Not worried anymore, the Tosa's just as chill as the Rott and I'll build the outside enclosure with high tensile materials for unsupervised times.

It was actually quite interesting to watch the Tosa's technique, almost like a human wrestler. Rott never had a chance. Thinking about maybe getting one of these (female of course...would make for mad cool puppies...I guess' they'd be 'Rosas', lol...nah, too wimpy)

[Anne]

Originally Posted by seoultrader

All input appreciated. However, I've given my word and can''t back out so I'll have to find some solution for seperation while out of the house during the day.

I hope you're prepared to spend money to build a very secure dog run to keep these dogs apart.

You have given your word to your friend Maybe you should have thought about the welfare of your dog before agreeing to this. Another thought is perhaps your friend should not have asked you to take on this task. It appears you have neither the knowledge or experience to care for these dogs and keep them both safe.

You may owe your friend something, your young Rottweiler owes him nothing but it's your dog's life you are risking. It is your duty to protect the dog you chose to own.

As has been said, ask your friend to speak to the breeder of his dog. The breeder would be the best person to care for his dog.