is it normal for a female dog to be kinda the boss of a male dog?

Question

my female dog is really aggressive toward my male dog. She beats him up, even eats his food. is that normal? they're both jack russells.....

thanks...lol, it is funny. but he doesn't starve...I always seperate and watch as they eat to make sure she doesn't get his food. But if I don't, she gets it.

thanks...I am the boss and they know that. it's not as serious...but I just thought is was weird...I guess it's true that females are more dominant. I just thought something might be wrong with Jerry, the male, but I guess not!

Answer 1

Yes its very normal lol. In the wild, sometimes the Alpha Female wolf bosses around the Alpha male! Actually I have read somewhere that females in the wild actually are the overall Alpha...they decide where to go and all and the Alpha male just protects his family and show aggression to other "intruding" males. Why do you think that the female leads and the male brings up the rear!

Answer 2

Yes, it is the females that usually dominate when you have two or more dogs...the males back down to them usually and the girls rule. Very rare that a male and female will have any 'really serious' squabbles or fight to the point of serious injury if they are basically friends that get along in the same household. Best combination if you are going to have more than one dog is a spayed female and a neutered male. WORST combination is more than one un-neutered male, that is just ASKING for big troubles.

Anyway, short answer is, YES, that is normal :-)

Answer 3

It is normal b/c the male will back off and let the female eat and also most male dogs will not fight female dogs. If she is just unusually mean and fights the male all the time, I would get a shock collar and put it on her and zap her when she is just being mean to the male. It will only take once or twice and she will quit fighting him.

Answer 4

They have set up their own rank order. It is perfectly normal for a female dog to be over a male dog; they don't have the same gender societal constraints humans might have. However, if she really is bullying him and he is suffering from it, you can do something about it. I, however, am not going to pretend that I know what that is. I would contact a good dog trainer. Good luck!

Answer 5

Dominance has nothing to do with gender. It's very common for female dogs to lead the pack.

That said, it would be wise to put a stop to this behavior. Separate your female from your male when she gets overzealous. Especially separate them at mealtimes if she's mugging him for his food -- as the true leader of the pack, you should step in to defend his right to eat his meal in peace. Her behavior is not unusual but is still very inappropriate.

Answer 6

I have a female Yorkie who is the boss of my male cat! it's funny 'cause the cat is bigger
she is the same with food. I think it is normal for female dogs

Answer 7

That is highly dependent on breed... a number of canine breeds run a matriarchy (female dominant society) instead of a patriarchy (male dominant).

I'm not sure of the specifics in Jack Russels...

Answer 8

It's very normal. It is literally where the term "alpha b*tch" comes from. The female momma dog ruling the family.

As long as your male is getting enough food, there's no danger. If he's not, however, you need to start feeding them in separate rooms so the male remains healthy.

Answer 9

Quite normal. A male or a female can be the alpha dog.

Answer 10

You, being a girl, should know this is similar to real life...LOL. J/K

It depends on their personalities. Females usually are more agressive and have to be in order to protect puppies and over her body durring her heat cycle. Even if your dog is fixed, she still carries the instinct to be agressive with male dogs.

It is nothing serious...just set back and laugh at them wrestle..LOL