Which dog is the alpha dog?

Question

I have two dogs, a Westie and a Golden Retriever (big difference, i know). The Westie has been around for a while, she is 13. The Golden is app. 18 months. I'm a little confused as to who the alpha dog is. They are both girls, btw.

Here's what goes on:

The Golden will eat the Westie's food, and take her toys, but still seems to be a little timid around the Westie. The Westie gets an attitude around the Golden, and unless the Golden thinks the Westie is playing, she always backs off. It's a mixed situation. It is as if the Golden knows she's bigger, but still respects the Westie.

This all sounds extremely redundant, but hopefully it's clear enough to understand.

They may or may not be playing. I can usually tell when they are playing. For instance, if the Westie is sleeping, the Golden will sometimes come and nudge her. The Westie immediately begins to growl and if the Golden persists, the Westie will snap at her.

My dogs Know I am the alpha being. My question is between them.

Answer 1

Your Westie is the alpha dog. Alpha dogs will tolerate a puppy's antics up to a point. But will make it real clear to the pup where they are drawing the line. It will be a few years before the Golden challenges the westie for top dog spot, even though the Golden is bigger.

Answer 2

I have the exact same situation with my two dogs. Both are female, one is older and the other is a puppy. The Westie is definitely the Alpha-Female. Like my dogs, the Golden annoys the hell out of the Westie, and the Westie will act as though she hates the Golden. When they play, does it look like the Westie is getting annoyed? Even if she snaps, does she try to hurt the Golden? Honestly, the Westie is the alpha-dog, and it's mostly due to the fact that she's older.

Answer 3

Sounds like the Westie is mostly the alpha.
A lot of the time it depends on how important an issue is to a dog. If the Golden cares more about the food than the Westie does, then the Golden will get the food.
When the Westie cares about something, she makes the Golden toe the line.

Answer 4

Your Westie is still the most dominant of the two only because the Golden is immature. Once the Golden matures the Westie will back down due to age and weakness. I would say the Golden is testing the waters so to speak.

Answer 5

The westie is alpha. The golden is growing up now, though, and is starting to challenge a little and the westie's keeping her in her place. Doesn't sound as if they'll have any serious problem - they're working it out just fine.

Answer 6

i think that the golden retriever is trying to be alpha but is confused on how to do it. The older one is not always the alpha just because there older means nothing. They are going backand forthe (spelled wrong) with who is more dominant. I had a lab and had him for 5 years and i brought in a puppy that grew up to be the more dominant one at around a year.

Answer 7

you should be top dog,but between the others I'd have to say the Westie,older wiser and she has the other one backing off.the alpha dog Will always go straight in it won't back off.

Answer 8

Probably the Westie, who just gives the young'un a break because she knows she'll be top dog regardless.

Answer 9

It's possible that they haven't worked out who the alpha is. Or, perhaps they both see YOU as the alpha, and they are just playmates.

EDIT: Age is not an indicator of alpha status, necessarily. In packs, the very old dogs are generally sicker and weaker. Thus, they would NOT be the alphas.

Answer 10

Your Westie is the Alpha -- older, period!! Until she relinquishes that title, it is hers.