Breed disposition to female aggression

Thanks to all the posters who have addressed my first question as to whether certain breeds tend towards female aggression. I don't recall the last time my dogs had any kind of fight and when the two I have did fight, it was a little growling and snapping. That's as far as it went. As to rehoming, PTS. that is way out of my line of questioning. No dog is going anywhere, but I want to be informed as to what COULD happen BEFORE I do or do not bring in another dog. The dogs I have are finein that regad, but they have obedience issues that I am tired of working around, and so intend to really get onto doing the work and spending the time to help them to become more enjoyable members of our family.

I do have to say that I for one, am glad that there are people, professional or just caring, who are willing to spend time to help people like me who are out there looking for good and VARIED info on how to better take care of my dogs. Thank you. Julie

I think you're ace, spiritsmom. I don't know much about breeds prone to fighting unless they are spitz breeds as it seems I inevitably end up wanting a spitz breed. I would cautiously suggest that very old breeds are sometimes more prone to same sex aggression, and also some of the older guardians, in particular flock guardians. Dogs that have been bred to not only think for themselves but to consider using their teeth are dogs I would be careful about. Having said that, our problems arose between a whippet cross and a small corgi, so who knows? However, the whippet cross had some problems, presumably stemming from her earlier life before we got her. I would avoid rescue dogs as well, but I'm in the position of being once bitten twice shy, so to speak.

spiritsmom

I don't recall the last time my dogs had any kind of fight and when the two I have did fight, it was a little growling and snapping. That's as far as it went.

Actually, that bit of info, right there, helps a lot. Those were warnings, rather than escalations. They were setting ground rules with each other.

I've read that males will often fight or snap once and then, having established social boundaries, are content with that. That females social boundaries can be more fluid. And that it is not uncommon for a female to be the lead, alpha, big cheese, whatever.

Shadow's friend when he was a puppy was a JRT named Duke. Shadow was 4 times his size with speeds of over 30 mph and he followed Duke. There was no possible way in heck that Duke could ever overpower or "alpha roll" Shadow. In fact, when playing, Shadow could swing a paw and knock Duke over. He let Duke eat out of his food bowl. Duke could lead because Shadow followed.

Also, dog society can be fluid. One prefers to enter the door first but the other can have whatever comfy sleeping spot.

espencer

Yeap, in every job there are pros that do a very poor job. Being a "pro" does not guaranteed good results. In the medical field there is something called "2nd opinion" and i dont need to tell you how many times a "2nd opinion" proved that the first one was wrong, even when both persons are well respected Doctors.

That's a technically correct point. I may be wrong but the impression I get is that you are saying that pros who suggest re-homing are not pro enough or are lacking skills. I'm not sure if you meant to say that but that is how it seemed to me. Just saying that someone is unskilled or unprofessional because the highly recommend re-homing doesn't make it so. But yes, we can always get another opinion.

If two dogs are determined to not like each other, the best that can be done is management by controlling access to each other. But some dogs are just not going to like each other.

spiritsmom

Thanks to all the posters who have addressed my first question as to whether certain breeds tend towards female aggression. I don't recall the last time my dogs had any kind of fight and when the two I have did fight, it was a little growling and snapping. That's as far as it went. As to rehoming, PTS. that is way out of my line of questioning. No dog is going anywhere, but I want to be informed as to what COULD happen BEFORE I do or do not bring in another dog. The dogs I have are finein that regad, but they have obedience issues that I am tired of working around, and so intend to really get onto doing the work and spending the time to help them to become more enjoyable members of our family.

I do have to say that I for one, am glad that there are people, professional or just caring, who are willing to spend time to help people like me who are out there looking for good and VARIED info on how to better take care of my dogs. Thank you. Julie

Probably what has happened in your case is that the dogs were determining their place in the household, and NOT what has been discussed at length on this thread regarding dogs that truly develop a lasting hatred of one another.  I commend you wanting to address the obed issues, especially before you add to the group.  It's really important to have control over the resident dogs before you do that, so that you aren't just adding to chaos by introducing yet another dog.  I'm glad you are open minded about receiving information and assessing it for yourself, because that will help you become a better owner and trainer for your dogs.  Good luck, and let us all know how they do with their training.

That's a technically correct point. I may be wrong but the impression I get is that you are saying that pros who suggest re-homing are not pro enough or are lacking skills. I'm not sure if you meant to say that but that is how it seemed to me. Just saying that someone is unskilled or unprofessional because the highly recommend re-homing doesn't make it so. But yes, we can always get another opinion.

real pros have seen enough dead and badly injured dogs from these situations to put aside any ego and recommend what is best for the dogs. Real pros know that while sometimes the problem can be fixed, often nothing can be done, because they have experience, both in real life and by learning from others experience.

terriers and corgis, in my limited experience, are prone to serious female-female aggression.