Rottie + a Tosa Inu doable?

[seoultrader]

Hi there,

I have a 1 yr old male Rott who is totally mellow and am about to take in a friend's 3 yr old Tosa Inu for a period of 6 months, who is also pretty much chill. They play together occasionally and get along well in the sense that they more or less stay out of each other's way but they'll never be tight friends.

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). Should I be very worried about this possibly happening once they live totgether or will they likely get along without much fuss they way they have been?

How do Rotts, be they professionally trained in SchH etc or just couchy house dogs, generally behave around dogs that are physically superior to them?

Like I said, this is only for 6 months while my friend is going overseas for work.


I guess in Korea they're used as 'fighting' dogs, but it seems the fights are more ritual pushing/wrestling matches than bloody tear ups, which I think is somewhat acceptable...different cultures have different traditions after all.

[rutylr]

I have a friend who breeds Tosa's and the rule with them is never the same sex in the house Ever.....
So I would not have a male Rottweiler and a male Tosa in the same house.
If you do you will be looking for trouble..

[brunie's mom]

NO WAY!!! A fight could break out in a split second...then you may get harmed trying to separate them. I would NOT take this dog, unless you plan on keeping the two dogs separated for the whole 6 months. Both breeds tend to be same sex aggressive. Are either of the males neutered?

Gina

[spidey]

I'd never do this - same sex, similar age, both large, typically same-sex aggressive breeds...it's asking for trouble, and 6 months is plenty long enough for the Tosa to get comfortable enough to start looking for trouble with your Rottweiler (you likely haven't seen problems before now because the dogs haven't lived together for any length of time). I think this is a very dangerous idea, for dogs and people, if a fight breaks out, your dog could easily be killed and you could be seriously injured.

[Bucky's Mom]

No - not a good idea - and dangerous as well

[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.

[bliss7373]

If you explain the danger to your friend, perhaps he would look for other options? I hate to think of you putting these dogs (and yourself) in such a stressful situation if there are other solutions.

Also - in my honest opinion, I think they should be separated even while you are home. From your post, these dogs have tolerated each other in the past but are not friends. There is no reason to have them loose together. Especially if it is just you trying to monitor and separate them if necessary - as you said yourself, if they get in a fight, it is unlikely that you can separate them successfully. It's just not worth the risk.

[Marley55]

No No a thousand times NO.

This is a recipe for disaster for dogs and humans.

2 males both with male aggressive breed tendencies. OH My !!

This would be 6 months of stress all the way around and I can't even conceive of trying to keep them separated for food, exercise, personal attention etc etc. My stomach hurts just thinking about it

[Weily4Life]

In my opinion, I think this would be a bad idea based on some reading. Here is part of an article that I found with the link to the article following:

The Tosa is a brave, fearless and bold dog. Very attuned to his master's wishes and greatly sensitive to the tone of ones voice. Protective and loyal. Exceptionally quiet, calm and patient. The Tosa has been bred to be a very quiet dog because Japanese dog fighting rules require the dogs to fight silently. They are highly intelligent and do not need repetitious training, but do require an equable, consistent, friendly approach. The dog is very affectionate towards their family members and more reserved with strangers, but will accept newcomers if properly introduced. It places its family first and foremost, but known visitors are usually happily greeted. Both males and females make excellent home and family protectors and companions. The sheer size of the Tosa and his deep bark are effective deterrents. Tosas show remarkable acceptance of children and will not snap or bite from fear or pain. However, due to the Tosa's size, he should not be left with children unsupervised. The owner must learn to control the Tosa, as the breed is too large and strong to be unmannerly. Good with other dogs and pets only when raised with them from puppyhood. They tend to be fairly dog aggressive. Keep the Tosa away from other dogs that may want to fight, because the Tosa will most certainly win. They are not recommended in a home with other dogs of the same sex, size and temperament. They have a very high pain tolerance due to their fighting origins. This breed requires a strong and experienced owner capable of dealing with a large, powerful animal. With proper training and control, the Tosa can be a good family companion. Self aware, a very good guard and watchdog. This is not a breed for beginners.

[rutylr]

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.

Is your word worth loosing your dog over?

[brunie's mom]

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'm not sure you are understanding how serious this is???? Please keep them separated for the whole 6 months...do not have them together at any time. They could be just doing nothing, and a toy, or you giving one a treat will set them off into a fight. It does not take much...a push, a growl, a sniff...and unless their training is exceptional you will never be able to stop a fight. If you were experienced with dogs, you would not of even thought of taking in this other dog...only someone inexperienced would have.

Never set up dogs to fail...and this is what you will be doing if you allow both dogs to be together. Your 1 year old male is maturing by the day...he may just decide that he does not need to 'play nice' anymore. Very common with a teenage Rottie.

Please re-think this.

Gina

[SABELLESMOM]

From what I've read...NO DON'T DO IT! Unless you have some means of keeping them completely apart.

It seems they were bred for "silent fighting," which means there's calmness, even patience and no grumble of warning before an attack. It states specifically there is dog on dog agression! Goodness what would posess you to take on (give your word) such an animal with your own dog in the home already?

Does the owner have a huge sturdy crate for him? Do you have a garage (safe from toxic fluids, etc.) where he can stay? Crates for BOTH of them in separate rooms, maybe? Sturdy walls and doors between them?

I would not, repeat NOT risk injury to either dog while you are away from home. I would also tend to limit their together time. I would exercise each separately. This is one of those situations where you may be kicking yourself in the head with remorse for having "given your word!"

[fostermom]

Many foster homes keep multiple dogs, some of which need to be kept separate...so I guess it doable IF you are dedicated to keeping the dogs totally separate. Crate or isolate in separate room when you aren't home...I currently have five dogs...when I'm not home, one is kept downstairs, one is crated in another bedroom with another loose in that room, and two more are kept in a second bedroom together....and these are dogs that get along well together!! Do NOT leave them loose together, ever. We had one foster who was dog friendly but his size and exhuberance were totally overwhelming for my couch potato dogs...so he was never left outside when my dogs were out...and when he was downstairs, they were upstairs in a bedroom...and when they were downstairs, he was crated.
I do agree with everyone else regarding the wisdom (or lack of wisdom) of bringing this dog into the home, but if you do, PLEASE listen to the advice to keep them totally separate. The consequences are frightening if you don't.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

I'm not sure you are understanding how serious this is????

I don't think he is. Maybe he's under the impression a "little" blood shed will be harmless as long as the dog doesn't die?

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

It does not take much...a push, a growl, a sniff...and unless their training is exceptional you will never be able to stop a fight.

I'll venture to say that no matter HOW exceptional their training is (and I doubt it falls into the exceptional category to begin with), he will not be able to stop a fight.

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

Your 1 year old male is maturing by the day...he may just decide that he does not need to 'play nice' anymore. Very common with a teenage Rottie.

The young male won't even have to decide not to play nice....all he'll need to do is cast a "teenage glance" at the Tosa, and that's going to be it. If this person thinks that he is superman and will be able to intervene between glance and dog fight, he's in for a heck of a lesson.

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

Please re-think this.

No kidding!

[kilasmamix3]

-Male Rottweiler
-Male Tosa Inu
-Both strong powerful breeds
-Tosa tendancy to fight other dogs
-Tosa MUCH bigger and stronger
-Rottweiler is a teenager
-Close in age though
-Rottweiler = Large ----- Tosa = MASSIVE

All signs leading to DANGER, DANGER KEEP OUT!! KEEP OUT!! Ahhh; Don't do it!!!

Dezaree