Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression

• 02-19-2010 6:41 PM

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 13,971 Points 2,125

  Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact This is a spinoff from another thread that mentioned same sex aggression.  We do see more of it in some breeds, and I'm curious if you've experienced it, what you did about it, and what breed(s) you own. Just a few breeds that seem prone to aggression toward same gender dogs: Alaskan Malamute Kerry Blue Terrier Boxer American Pit Bull Terrier Jack Russell Terrier   Founding and Life Member, Pet Professional Guild Steering Committee, Pet Professional Guild Education: BA, Psychology Academy for Dog Trainers Member, Truly Dog Friendly Member, No Shock Collar Coalition Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Certified Trick Dog Trainer Sioux, Red Tri Australian Shepherd Mix, CGC, TDInc., ITD Sequoyah, Red Merle Australian Shepherd, CGC, ATD Quanah, Hound Mix, Great Dog in Training Dancer, Border Collie/Spaniel Mix, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog Maska, Hound Mix, CGC, TDInc. (2000-2010) RIP Doodlebug Fergie, Yorkshire Terrier (1989-2010) RIP my little bugaboo In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

  Post Points: 0

• 02-19-2010 6:56 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  AgileGSD Joined on 09-16-2007 Posts 1,770 Points 115	Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact GSDs without a doubt Dobermans Most Terrier breeds English Springer Spaniels Rottweilers
  	Post Points: 0

• 02-19-2010 7:12 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 14,252 Points 1,040

  Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact Jack Russell.  I've seen people successfully keep same sex jacks but I've also heard many people who have same sex aggression problems. My vet has jacks and she had to rehome two females who were intent on killing each other. They may be small but they have enormously powerful jaws and are very strong for their size.  Much damage can be done in a fight.  I was never tempted to get a second JRT, but it would have been opposite sex if I had. ETA that she did consult a Phd behaviorist and tried meds but for her, the solution was to rehome those dogs, separately of course.  “Over the years I've come to appreciate how animals enter our lives prepared to teach and far from being burdened by an inability to speak they have many different ways to communicate. It is up to us to listen more than hear, to look into more than past.” Nick Trout

  Post Points: 0

• 02-19-2010 8:47 PM

  In reply to JackieG

  stardog85 Joined on 09-10-2007 North Carolina, USA Posts 3,248 Points 675	Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact  Female Border Collies also tend to have issues from my experiences. Erin, Ziva, Kestrel, and Aerten Maggie Mae, always in our hearts To Be An iDogger, One Must First Think Like An iDogger.
  	Post Points: 0

• 02-19-2010 9:01 PM

  In reply to stardog85

  punkchica321 Joined on 12-14-2009 Long Island, NY Posts 1,437 Points 190	Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact  Not adding to the list, but I'm just curious as to what causes same sex aggression in dogs? Anyone know? Andrea Owned by Simba(Boxer mix)-October 25th 2009 Rainbow Bridge Lindsey(lab/shepherd mix)-May 18th 1986-October 3rd 1999 Toby(bloodhound/shepherd mix) Feburary 14th 1999-November 27,2009
  	Post Points: 0

• 02-19-2010 9:10 PM

  In reply to punkchica321

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 14,252 Points 1,040

  Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact The tendency to eliminate reproductive competition is common in the animal world. “Over the years I've come to appreciate how animals enter our lives prepared to teach and far from being burdened by an inability to speak they have many different ways to communicate. It is up to us to listen more than hear, to look into more than past.” Nick Trout

  Post Points: 0

• 02-19-2010 9:38 PM

  In reply to punkchica321

  DumDog Joined on 04-02-2007 Posts 5,096 Points 130	Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact Add American Bulldogs to the list punkchica321:  Not adding to the list, but I'm just curious as to what causes same sex aggression in dogs? Anyone know?   What Jackie said :  and yeah i've seen it in shepherds, collies, terriers.. but the bullies tend to uh.. kill..... the competition. not just dominate it or chase it off.....
  	Post Points: 0

• 02-19-2010 10:07 PM

  In reply to JackieG

  punkchica321 Joined on 12-14-2009 Long Island, NY Posts 1,437 Points 190	Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact  Good point! I never even thought about that. Andrea Owned by Simba(Boxer mix)-October 25th 2009 Rainbow Bridge Lindsey(lab/shepherd mix)-May 18th 1986-October 3rd 1999 Toby(bloodhound/shepherd mix) Feburary 14th 1999-November 27,2009
  	Post Points: 0

• 02-20-2010 12:51 PM

  In reply to JackieG

  AgileGSD Joined on 09-16-2007 Posts 1,770 Points 115

  Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact JackieG: The tendency to eliminate reproductive competition is common in the animal world.  I think it does some down to having a lower threshold for tolerating sharing resources with same sex dogs which includes reproductive rescoures, as well as territory, food and the owner. FWIW Same sex aggression between bitches is rarely ever solved by spaying.

  Post Points: 0

• 02-20-2010 4:29 PM

  In reply to AgileGSD

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 13,971 Points 2,125

  Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact AgileGSD: JackieG: The tendency to eliminate reproductive competition is common in the animal world.  I think it does some down to having a lower threshold for tolerating sharing resources with same sex dogs which includes reproductive rescoures, as well as territory, food and the owner. FWIW Same sex aggression between bitches is rarely ever solved by spaying.   That's very true, spaying has been shown to have little effect - but neutering does seem to have an effect on the males.  So, that should be considered if you have same sex aggression between males. Founding and Life Member, Pet Professional Guild Steering Committee, Pet Professional Guild Education: BA, Psychology Academy for Dog Trainers Member, Truly Dog Friendly Member, No Shock Collar Coalition Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Certified Trick Dog Trainer Sioux, Red Tri Australian Shepherd Mix, CGC, TDInc., ITD Sequoyah, Red Merle Australian Shepherd, CGC, ATD Quanah, Hound Mix, Great Dog in Training Dancer, Border Collie/Spaniel Mix, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog Maska, Hound Mix, CGC, TDInc. (2000-2010) RIP Doodlebug Fergie, Yorkshire Terrier (1989-2010) RIP my little bugaboo In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

  Post Points: 0

• 02-20-2010 5:02 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  denise m Joined on 12-06-2006 Toronto Canada Posts 1,901 Points 390	Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact   spiritdogs: Just a few breeds that seem prone to aggression toward same gender dogs: Alaskan Malamute Kerry Blue Terrier Boxer American Pit Bull Terrier Jack Russell Terrier   Are these breeds equally known for same sex aggression in both males and females?
  	Post Points: 0

• 02-20-2010 6:02 PM

  In reply to denise m

  Kim_MacMillan Joined on 11-21-2006 Eastern Canada Posts 2,623 Points 440

  Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact I have a rather *bitchy* female who has experienced high levels of same-sex DA. She can live with a zillion males, and be totally content, but even living with one female can, and has, been difficult for her. Having lived with upwards of 12 dogs of the same breed, I can say with some good faith that same-sex aggression does occur with some frequency, in both males and females. Although I can say that the motives for the same-sex aggression were often quite different between males and females exhibiting the aggression. Males tended to be solely about either breeding rights or defensiveness, while female reasons varied widely. Both of my females are spayed, and the DA actually increased slightly after the spay (which also has been shown to occur in females - an increase in same-sex aggression). She is a terrier, and pretty much all terrier-like terriers (I say that because there are some breeds named as terriers that really aren't terriers at all!) have higher-than normal levels of DA. Another link I see in same-sex aggression animals is the comparison between dogs that have been either bred to work as a group, or to work independently. It seems to me that the breeds who have been selected to work independently are also those breeds who often have a higher-than-normal level of same-sex aggression. Breeds selected to work together in pairs, small groups, or large groups like hunting hounds, tend to have a lot smaller dog aggression involved. So really the herding dogs, working dogs, terriers, often tend to be the ones with higher levels of aggression, and the toy dogs and the hounds have lower levels of same-sex aggression (as generalizations, obviously there are caveats). "Zipper" Ykelenstam's Zippity Doo Da, CGN "Gaci" Ykelenstam's Moxie's Legaci "Shimmer" Ykelenstam's Shimmer 'N Shine, CGN RA "Kash" - Ykelenstam's Pay It Forward, RN http://www.courteous-canine.com

  Post Points: 0

• 02-20-2010 10:46 PM

  In reply to denise m

  AgileGSD Joined on 09-16-2007 Posts 1,770 Points 115

  Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact denise m:   spiritdogs: Just a few breeds that seem prone to aggression toward same gender dogs: Alaskan Malamute Kerry Blue Terrier Boxer American Pit Bull Terrier Jack Russell Terrier   Are these breeds equally known for same sex aggression in both males and females? Most breeds which are prone to same sex aggression do see the problem with both sexes. But IME the average female tend to be way more serious about it than the average male. And as has been touched on already, altering may help with males but rarely helps with females (sometimes make it worse even), which further complicates the issue with girls.

  Post Points: 0

• 02-21-2010 8:45 AM

  In reply to AgileGSD

  Kim_MacMillan Joined on 11-21-2006 Eastern Canada Posts 2,623 Points 440

  Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact The way I've always heard it (and have experienced it on my end), is that the males tend to "bicker" more often with posturing, growling, and circling and standing on hind feet, and actually injuring less, but it's the female fights that can be the most damaging. More injuries seem to come from full-on female/female fights than male/male fights. Once again that's a generalization and you can have a very intentfully damaging male, and you can also have a very ritualistic, non-injuring female. "Zipper" Ykelenstam's Zippity Doo Da, CGN "Gaci" Ykelenstam's Moxie's Legaci "Shimmer" Ykelenstam's Shimmer 'N Shine, CGN RA "Kash" - Ykelenstam's Pay It Forward, RN http://www.courteous-canine.com

  Post Points: 0

• 02-21-2010 7:34 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  Chuffy Joined on 12-17-2006 UK Posts 8,313 Points 245

  Re: Breeds Known for Same Sex Aggression Reply Contact  Many terriers are not very tolerant of same sex dogs.  But then, many terriers have a degree of DA.   My sister has Wire Fox Terriers and was advised widely by folks in the breed to get a female when she already had a male and was looking for a second dog.  The breeder she bought a pup from had, in the past, had dogs returned for this reason.... (same sex aggro).  In her experience (very generally speaking) the males were worse in that there were more incidences of aggro, but the females were worse in terms of how bad the fights got.  Some of the males she had dealt with were extremely intolerant of other male dogs (not just the ones they lived with) and could do some serious damage if not managed properly. "Give a man a fire and he is warm for a day, but set fire to him and he is warm for the rest of his life." - Pratchett, "Jingo"

  Post Points: 0