The true interest in maintaining
the history of the TOSA - Inu is because the breed is considered to be the equivalent of the soma wrestlers of
Japan. It is a breed linked to a very cruel sport. Because it is a breed linked to sport it Is not its destiny
to be commercialized nor registered in clubs as in other parts of the world. In general, it is well known that
Tosa fighters do not register their Tosa's in Japan or any other canine association. The main organization to register
any breed in Japan is the Japan Kennel Club (JKC) that is affiliated to the International Cinological Federation
(FCI) and to the Asia Kennel Union (AKU), which means that every breed in this organization has the international
recognition all over the world and is allowed to compete in any international or world show.
Since the Tosa is considered a National treasure in Japan, the government watches for the conservation and preservation
of the breed through an appointed committee with the authority to issue a pedigree with the genetic makeup of the
Tosa. After this, the pedigree is then sent to the JKC to obtain international pedigree status that determines
that that dog is a bonafide representative of the Tosa breed all over the world. Only two associations of Tosa's
in Japan can provide these pedigrees: the National Tosa - Inu Spread Association, possibly for the first pedigree
and the Preservation Registration Committee of Tosa - Inu, however the second pedigree must come from the JKC,
without that then it will be impossible for the Tosa to be international.
As indicated by its initials, in the FCI there are many countries that have Dog Clubs associated to this association
which legitimately register their dogs all over the world. If any club is not a member of this association it cannot
register their dogs internationally, only nationally. Two important are important when registering the breed internationally:1)you
can sell the dogs all over the world and 2) you can compete in world championships! When your Tosa is registered
in the JKC and FCI it's descendants are provided the same pedigree and can also be registered all over the world.
If your animal is not registered, then it will not be able to compete in any world championships.
One thing to consider when registering a Tosa is whether the pedigree was provided for an ancestor through the
JKC or the FCI. The case could be that the Tosa be registered with the FCI, but not its ancestor. If this should
be the case then the owner of the Tosa, can register his Tosa with a local association affiliated to the FCI as
an initial registration (RI), the number and symbol on the bottom of the registration indicates that this is a
new register and after three generations, the RI will be removed and the breed will no longer be under RI. When
a pedigree Tosa is marked with the RI symbol, it cannot contend for world titles, not until after three generations.
There have been cases where a title has been taken back for this reason.
Any Tosa breeder that tells you that they or any other person can register a Tosa - Inu and obtain an FCI registration
out of Japan without a RI (initial registration) is lying. If your dog pedigree has the number and symbol (RI)
marked you will not find a client in Europe or any other part of the world simply because your Tosa has only been
recognized as such with the FCI.
What determines the originality of a Tosa outside of Japan is if it has an international pedigree FCI and if it's
use will be to compete in Championship Dog Events. All world representatives of this breed must have an approval
pedigree provided by the committee with the authority issue the Tosa - Inu genetic make - Up in Japan. A person
looking for a Tosa with pedigree must understand that a puppy with FCI pedigree is more valuable than one with
only national pedigree.
The main club register in the USA is affiliated also to FCI is AKC (American Kennel Club) but they do not recognize
the Tosa - Inu because they think that this is a dangerous dog, but it's not. Also they do not accept the Tosa
in the show ring competition area.
The T.O.S.A . Inc is a membership club in the USA which is affiliated to the UKC (United Kennel Club) where all
members can get dog pedigree registration. The UKC is only a national club and none of it's pedigrees can be recognized
in other international clubs affiliated at FCI.
Shakuhachi Imperial
is the first member in the entire world to register in JKC and FCI out of Japan, here is the proof.
