Hovawart vs Tosa
Compare Hovawart and Tosa side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Hovawart
Tosa
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
58 – 70 cm
70 – 75 cm
Weight
25 – 50 kg
60 – 90 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 14 years
10 – 12 years
Child friendly
4/5
3/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
4/5
3/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
4/5
3/5
Grooming needs
2/5
1/5
Shedding
3/5
2/5
Barking level
3/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
4/5
3/5
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Characteristics
Hovawart
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Protective
Easy to train
Giant
Tosa
Low grooming
Easy to train
Giant
Summary
About Hovawart
Large, powerful German farm guardian with medium‑long weatherproof coat in black, black and tan or blond. Deeply loyal, calm and family‑focused, but reserved with strangers and strongly territorial. Intelligent, independent and late‑maturing, needing consistent training, mental work and ample exercise.
About Tosa
The Tosa is a large, powerful Japanese breed, calm and dignified at home yet naturally protective. Loyal and often devoted to one person, it needs experienced handling, early socialisation and consistent training. Short-coated but high-commitment, it faces legal restrictions in some countries.
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