OT-May Be of Interest to People With Dogs- Sumo Comparison

[Patt Griffin <grtdane@bellsouth.net>]

This was written by someone on one of my dog lists. It compares the Tosa
to Sumo.
Patt
In the Tosa world, we often see advertisements by breeders or
import/export middlemen claiming the significance of imported "Yokozuna"
or "Ozeki" stock from Japan.
According to what I have read, a dog that has gained such a lofty title
has won it
through a series of competitions. Where it was the physical dominant
dog, as well as a superior athlete and the more aggressive dog in the
fight. An example of this type of fight would be the U.K.C sanctioned
Pit Bull fights of the early nineteenth century. Dogs that achieved
the recognition and distinction of "champion" were clearly
the better physical specimens.
        However, that is not the case in Japan. The dog that wins the
title of "Yokozuna" or "Ozeki" is not necessarily the physical
dominant dog in the fight. It is the dog that lasted the longest to
the thirty-minute time limit, without barking, growling, whining,
cowering or having any part of its body stepping out of the ring. The
dog must show Ganbatte or fighting spirit against a superior foe (for
there is no other way to show fighting spirit when you obviously
outclass an opponent).
 The decision of which dog has more fighting spirit is decided by a
panel of judges who interpret the fighting spirit of each dog, who
can forget the recent Winter Olympics judge panel. Mind you, neither
physical dominance nor athleticism is being judged in these
dogfights. Fighting spirit, however, is a very important quality in a
dog. For who would wants a dog that is not willing to persevere in
hostile situations?
 Japanese dog fighting is a dog sport that is heavy in ritual and was
once used as an avenue of sport for the Samurai during times of
peace. So they would not fight with each other. It was also a tool to
teach the Samurai the meaning of Ganbatte. Against great and
sometimes hopeless odds the Samurai warrior was expected to stand,
fight and die, samurai honor demands it and samurais lacking Ganbatte
would surely run.
The Hakagure, which is a book on how to be a proper samurai, teaches
that it doesn't matter if one dies before completing the mission.
It is the attempt that matters and if death being the byproduct of that
attempt^Åso be it. Hence, Sumo/Tosa is more about spiritual growth
and strength rather then physical strength. In this case it is about the

dog's spiritual strength.
It doesn't matter that one dog physically dominated the other
dog. What matters is that the other dog stood and fought even when it
could have submitted, showing true Samurai spirit.
Unfortunately, dogs and men are not created equally; some men are
clearly stronger then others, while some are smarter. Suppose we were
to breed men for ability. What if you took the stronger man and the
smarter man's children and breed them together. Hopefully, you
would breed a superior man than the last generation. Then what if added
the
tenacious man's children into to the line in hopes of breeding a
man with great intellect, athletic ability and tenacity. Now if you were

to breed only dogs with great fighting spirit without incorporating
the physical superior dog, eventually you would breed a terrier,
maybe a Jack Russell or Cairn (joke). In other words you would have a
dog that has tremendous fighting spirit but one that is physically
inferior for the large breed fighting that is conducted in Japan or
for the jobs that large breeds often fill in today's society
(i.e. companion/guardian). You might even breed a large dog that has ill

temperament.
In the Sumo world, Akebono, Musashimaru, Takanohana became Yokozunas
by being the physically dominant man in the Dohyo (ring), and showed
great fighting spirit to reach such lofty titles. Unfortunately, if
we were to use the Sumo-Tosa model as to who is the winner, then
these men would not be champions. It would be Tosanoumi who has won
many fighting spirit awards but can not beat the physically dominant
opponent on a constant basis and as such is not a Yokozuna or Ozeki.
It is very important to the Tosa in America that imported stock come
from Japan, so that the stock in America improves. It also creates
new bloodlines and less of a need for inbreeding amongst breeders.
A "Yokozuna" or "Ozeki" titled Tosa is not the same
as a dog titled in KNVP, Ringsport, or Schutzhund and as such is not a
better dog or
a lesser dog.
Let me be very clear, I am not advocating a Schutzhund dog over a dog
that only has obedience titles and is temperament tested or over a
Tosa that is a "Yokozuna". I am stating that Schutzhund was
creating as a means of not only training dogs for a particular job but
as a
means of selecting dogs of great physical and mental ability with
great temperaments for breeding. While Sumo/Tosa is more of an
esoteric sport. Where the spirit of the dog is praised higher then
it's actual physical ability. No female Tosa has or will ever
compete in Sumo/Tosa and as such it makes it glaring faulty as a
breeding
program. We know the sire of the litter is a "Yokozuna" what
about the mother? What of her ganbatte and her physical ability?
We must let potential buyers be aware of this difference. As well as
educate breeders and potential breeders. Who assume a
"Yokozuna" titled Tosa is the same as a Schutzhund titled one. Or a dog
that has
achieved obedience and agility titles and that these dogs are better
dogs for breeding. In fact you might be breeding a lemon (a Tosa on
the outside but structurally unsound on the inside) to a Tosa who has
titled in various dog sports and getting only half the dog you
expected from all the hype about it's father being a "Yokozuna".
What I suggest to alleviate this problem is that we (as in T.O.S.A
inc) create our own Breeding program. Design our own obedience and
agility program (something along the lines of the U.K.C or
Schutzhund/ ringsport), have them do it without pause then have them
temperament tested with something along the lines of A.T.T.S.
(American Temperament Test Society) but for Molosser type dogs only
(Molosser-type dogs were breed for a different job then Hounds,
Herding or a Terrier-type breed and as such they react differently to
situation then other breeds). Those that pass we breed, those that
don't we don't. This would greatly improve the breed and our
standing with in the dog world. Of course, ALL dogs must be OFA,
Penn-hipped
and CERF.  As it is obvious that heart and desires can be stronger
than genetics of good hips and therefore perceived health can be a
myth as well.
Education is the key to success for this majestic breed. Honesty and
integrity will be the model that best serves this breed and the
memory of the Samurai who believed in death before dishonor. Let us
not dishonor this breed with our half-truths.