Paulnz -> RE: Puppy play (8/23/2008 12:50:30 AM)
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ORIGINAL: subbysubsubsub Dominance in a pack depends on many factors such as size, gender, strength, overall health, and age (and in some instances, whose territory the dogs are currently in). I have witnessed some alpha bitches over dogs where the bitch is bigger. I'm assuming in your case, Paulnz, that you're referring to dogs of the same litter. Since the males are usually bigger than the females in a litter (or even within the same breed), males will usually be dominant over females. But if there's a bigger, stronger female, she will be the alpha. [:)] Gender and size is the main determinant, with gender being the trump card ( size only counts if the mismatch is ridiculous ). I'm talking about working dogs mostly, sheep and pig hunting dogs as they're my area, but I've also used guard dogs ( always bitches for that ). Not the same litter necessarily, but all dogs are in the pack. I have never ever had a bitch dominate a dog. Never. My first lesson in bitches submitting, was at a very early age when two of our dogs started fighting seriously. I called to my father and he looked over and said not to worry the bitch will submit. Soon after it did, by rolling onto its back, paws in the air, and exposing its stomach. That bitch was twice the size and had age on its side, but it still gave in. Now 40 years on, and many dogs, I've never had a case of the dog being dominated by a bitch. I've had trouble between dogs, and between bitches, but never between the sexes. Edit to add; something I overlooked is whether the respective dogs have been doctored or not. I never have dogs doctored, they are always complete
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