Tosa vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Tosa vs American Water Spaniel - Breed ComparisonTosa is originated from Japan but American Water Spaniel is originated from United States. Tosa may grow 36 cm / 15 inches higher than American Water Spaniel. Tosa may weigh 70 kg / 155 pounds more than American Water Spaniel. Both Tosa and American Water Spaniel has almost same life span. Both Tosa and American Water Spaniel has almost same litter size. Tosa requires Low maintenance. But American Water Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance

History

tosa - historyKnown also as the Japanese Mastiff, the Tosa hails from Japan. In fact, these dogs come from the Tosa Province, so the dog was named after the region where they were bred.

It is why they are sometimes referred to as Japanese Mastiffs. The Tosa is a rare dog breed and unfortunately, the dog is still used in Japan for dogfighting.

Thought to be a dangerous dog breed, it is restricted in some countries.

The breed was developed in the 2nd half of the 19th century, with a number of dog breeds being involved to bring about a more powerful, braver dog.

american water spaniel - historyThe American Water Spaniel was developed in the United States. He is the state dog of Wisconsin and was developed there in the 19th century. The bloodlines of this spaniel are varied but certainly include the English Water Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel. Even though they are the state dog of Wisconsin they were almost extinct when Dr. Fred J. Pfeifer rescued the breed. The numbers had fallen after World War II because hunting was now a recreational sport and not needed to provide food for the family. He then started a breed club and wrote a breed standard, both of which were recognized by the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club. When first developed the American Water Spaniel was known as the American Brown Spaniel. It was bred with a curly, thick coat so that it cold be sustained in Wisconsin winters and cold water. It was bred to hunt grouse, water fowl and prairie chickens as well as furry land animals. Pfeifer advertised his dogs for sale everywhere using a mailer that read: “, "The American Brown Spaniel is distinctively an American production. Hunters have known this type for years and it was through their efforts that this dog was propagated.... For years we have bred only selective stock, breeding for gameness, stability, courage, intelligence, and beauty. They are dogs to admire and trust under all conditions whether in the home circle or in the field with the outdoor man."[2]

In Wisconsin, around the wolf River and the Fox River, hunters were looking for a water dog that could also hunt on land. They needed a dog that could work a variety of fowl and game but who was small enough for a skiff and strong enough for the artic water temperatures of Wisconsin in the Winter. So, in addition to the spaniels named above, other breeds such as the Curly Coated Retriever, the Poodle, Native Indian dogs and the Sussex Spaniel were intermixed. When first developed the American Water Spaniel was known as the American Brown Spaniel. It was bred with a curly, thick coat so that it cold be sustained in Wisconsin winters and cold water. It was bred to hunt grouse, water fowl and prairie chickens as well as furry land animals. The American Water Spaniel was then itself used to develop another new breed, the Boykin Spaniel. In 1985 Wisconsin declared the American Water Spaniel to be the official state dog. Even so there remain only a few thousand dogs in existence. Though recognized by the AKC, they are neither spaniels nor retrievers and remain unclassified. Because of this they cannot compete in AKC field trials, but they do compete in AKC hunt tests. Though rare, the American Water Spaniel is a great hunting dog, retriever and companion.

Description

tosa puppy - descriptionThe Tosa is a large dog, but their sizes vary, and in fact, because of their fighting, they are actually divided into light-, middleweight and heavyweight classes.

Generally, you can say that these dogs weigh in the region of 54 to 90kg and they stand in height at between 62 to 82cm. The head is large, the jaws powerful, the eyes dark brown in color, the ears small, high set and floppy.

The neck is broad wit a dewlap and the tail is long, thick and tapering to a point. The coat is short and thick and is most times a rich caramel color, fawn tan, black or brindle. The dog often has a black mask.

Temperament:

The Tosa is a fairly quiet dog, courageous and fearless. He is going to need a strong, consistent owner who shows leadership with him. Training and socialization will be imperative for this dog.

When he has been properly reared and trained, he makes a good pet, able to get on with members of the family. He takes his role as protector and guardian seriously.

american water spaniel puppy - descriptionThe American Water spaniel is a midsized, muscular dog. There is nothing flashy about his looks or his work performance. He is however a consistent, competent swimmer and hunter. His brown coat is wavy or tightly curled, waterproof and dense. His feet have thick pads and webbed toes. The AWS is intelligent, happy, and easy going. He is a very versatile hunting dog on land and in water. The breed has not changed much since it originated in the 19th century. They can be liver, chocolate or brown. The eyes should be the same as the color of the coat. They have broad skulls with wide, long ears and an undocked tail.

They have a square, medium sized muzzle and wide nose. They have a bite that is level or scissors. The legs of the muscular American Water Spaniel are medium in length and the tail is full, with a medium length, curved and feathered. The dewclaws might or might not be removed.

Characteristics

tosa dog - characteristicsThe Tosa isn’t recommended for first-time dog owners, as in the wrong hands, they can become aggressive. Care has to be taken around children too especially undisciplined ones.

He also doesn't come as recommended for small, cramped homes in the city. He’s just too big and he will need to get out and be walked often.

You want to create a home for him that ensures he is the calm, gentle dog he is capable of being, If you’re fair, firm, caring, patient and consistent, then this big dog might be for you. With the right care he becomes a gentle, devoted pet.

american water spaniel dog - characteristicsBred to work the American Water Spaniels are loyal to their people, want to please them, but are not so great with strangers. They are stubborn and love to be the center of attention. They are often one person or one family dogs. They need an owner who is the pack leader and willing to put in the time to train them. However, they are a versatile breed and need variety in training and activities rather than repetitive activities. They are prone to resource guarding, slow maturation and dominance. These negative traits are dissipated with a strong leader, good training and a lot of daily activity. They are sensitive as well as stubborn. Do not use a punishment-oriented training with them. They will respond out of love and loyalty or not at all. This is a breed that wants to be the alpha over the people and will do so if you let him. Keep them fenced as being hunters they love to wander and will leave home whenever they can.

Health Problems

tosa puppies - health problemsThe Tosa is a formidable looking molossoid, but even so, this big, calm dog can succumb to illness. Some of these diseases you need to be looking out for include bloat,hip dyslasia and eye conditions.

Bloat for this dog can be life-threatening, and can often be because the dog is too hungry and he gobbles up his food quickly. Bloat is when gas can't escape, the stomach swells and twists – very dangerous. Rather give your dog two smaller meals – one in the morning and one in the evening, or even give several smaller portions throughout the day.

To help with eliminating health issues always choose a reputable Tosa breeder. You’re not likely to find one of these dogs in a dog shelter.

american water spaniel puppies - health problemsThe American Water Spaniel is a hardy, healthy breed without a lot of the genetic concerns of other breeds. Some of the concerns of this breed include vision, cardiac, hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy. They might also have skin issues and metabolic disorders.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

tosa dogs - caringThese large, strong dogs do well on good quality food. If you opt to buy him commercially manufactured food, make sure it is the top quality one free of unwholesome ingredients such as preservatives, colorants and useless fillers.

Invest in the best quality ones that have nutritious minerals and vitamins. Try and give your dog some home-prepared food too – boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, spinach, sweet-potatoes and carrots.

Never feed your dog things such as chocolates, peanuts, crisps, grapes, onion and food with spicy flavorings. This will just ensure digestive problems and having to get your dog to the vet.

Cool, fresh water should be available at all times.

Grooming:

The Tosa’s short coat isn’t going to require too much attention. A good brush twice a week will keep it free from loose hair and keep its shine and gleam. It’s why the dog is looked upon as being low maintenance.

Beyond that, he will need to have his nails trimmed. When brushing him, check him over for parasites – ticks and fleas, check for unusual lumps and look inside his ears for signs of redness.

Exercise:

These dogs are calm and fairly low-energy. Nonetheless, to maintain good health, he will need to be exercised. Ball games outside are always a good idea as well as nice long walks. Hikes into the countryside will be wonderful for this big dog.

Feeding

american water spaniel dogs - caringFeeding the American Water Spaniel is no mystery. They need a high quality dry dog food with an eye toward calorie consumption. Some AWS have a tendency to become obese. Treats are important to the AWS in training but can add to the obesity concerns.

Health

Like other isolated breeds that were bred true, the genetic issues we see in many other popular breeds are not seen as much in the American Water Spaniel. They do however have a few issues to contend with.

Eyes: These issues appear to be inherited with progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. Many AWS that develop cataracts do so at a very young age, usually under a year. Metabolic: Diabetes, hypothyroidism, glandular disorders and epilepsy. Baldness and Cardiac Issues. Orthopedic: Hip dysplasia. There is no evidence to suggest any elbow dysplasia. Additional concerns are hypothyroidism, allergies, epilepsy, diabetes and glandular disorders which Of course, the American Water Spaniel is an athlete who loves to be outdoors. He loves to swim, run and hunt. He needs daily exercise, or he can become loud and destructive. They thrive on having a job and they are not happy if they don’t have one. They are good at agility, obedience, dock diving and field trials. They also enjoy flyball and barn hunt.

Basic Information

Group:
Miscellaneous dogs
Gun dog
Origin:
Japan
United States
Height Male:
62 - 82 cm
24 - 33 inches
36 - 46 cm
14 - 19 inches
Height Female:
62 - 82 cm
24 - 33 inches
34 - 44 cm
13 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
54 - 90 kg
119 - 199 pounds
11 - 20 kg
24 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
54 - 90 kg
119 - 199 pounds
11 - 18 kg
24 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
4 - 6
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Tosa-Inu, Japanese Mastiff
Amerikanischer Wasserspaniel • AWS • AM Water Spaniel
Colors Available:
Caramel, fawn tan, black or brindle
Liver, Brown, Dark Chocolate
Coat:
Short, smooth, dense
DOuble, Wavy and Curly, thick
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Alert, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Tosa vs Northern Inuit Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Tosa vs Pugnaces Britanniae - Breed Comparison
  3. Tosa vs Sindh Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  4. Tosa vs Tamaskan - Breed Comparison
  5. Wolfdog vs Tosa - Breed Comparison
  6. Tosa vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  7. Tosa vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  8. Tosa vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  9. Tosa vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  10. Tosa vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  11. Tosa vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Tosa vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  13. Tosa vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  14. Tosa vs Samoyed - Breed Comparison
  15. Tosa vs Labradoodle - Breed Comparison
  16. Tosa vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  17. Tosa vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  18. Tosa vs Mixed - Breed Comparison
  19. Tosa vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  20. Tosa vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  21. Tosa vs Dogue De Bordeaux - Breed Comparison
  22. Tosa vs German Shorthaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  23. Tosa vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  24. Tosa vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  25. Tosa vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. English Springer Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  27. Brittany vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  28. English Setter vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  29. French Brittany vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  30. Boykin Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  31. Pudelpointer vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  32. American Water Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  33. American Water Spaniel vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  34. Picardy Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  35. Braque d'Auvergne vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  36. Ariege Pointer vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  37. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  39. Blue Picardy Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  40. Canadian Pointer vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  41. Deutsch Drahthaar vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  42. Clumber Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  43. Stabyhoun vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  44. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  45. Vizsla vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  46. Large Munsterlander vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  47. Tyrolean Hound vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  48. Cockalier vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  49. Braque du Bourbonnais vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  50. Cesky Fousek vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds