A Tosa Inu Came to See Cheongdo's "Dogs and Cows Alike Concert," Too

Among the many pet dogs that visited Cheongdo's "Dogs and Cows Alike Concert," a Tosa Inu named Dungi, age 4, stood out as it wandered around near sunset.

Tosa Inus, often seen on dog farms that raise them for consumption, originated in Japan's Tosa region. When dogfighting became popular in Japan in the 1800s and the traditional Japanese Akita was defeated by dogs introduced from the West, the Japanese created the "Tosa Inu" by combining the strengths of several breeds. Today's Tosa Inu emerged from crossbreeding the Great Dane, with its long legs, frame and muscles; the Mastiff, with its enormous build and weight; the English Bull Terrier, with its fighting spirit and tenacity; the Saint Bernard, with its tremendous weight and strength; and the German Pointer, with its speed and agility.

Tosa Inus are characterized by highly elastic skin and eyes that always look aggrieved and melancholy. Most Tosa Inus are naturally gentle, but they are reportedly subjected to stress through artificial means to turn them into fighting dogs or dogs raised for meat.

Dungi, the Tosa Inu that came to Cheongdo, was also a very gentle, pampered sweetheart. Walking around the venue with owner Oh Yu-jeong and Yu-jeong's younger sibling, Dungi drew the attention of many people and dogs. Yu-jeong, who lovingly raises the Tosa Inu as a member of the family, said, "Dungi has lived with us in the yard and gone on walks since puppyhood. At first, the neighbors were afraid, but after getting to know Dungi's temperament and behavior, they came to see just how gentle and lovable Dungi is, and now everyone likes Dungi."

At the event, the two siblings clearly conveyed to some dog owners who place particular emphasis only on their pets' pedigree and appearance that all dogs are equal, and all are lovable and adorable.