Are un-neutered dog more likely to fight?

Question

My dog (GSD 17mnth) was neutered 3 weeks ago. I also had an injection for him to reduce the testerone already produced. 1 week ago he met a chocolate lab, same age, un-neutered and they had a fight. It is the first time he has done this and is fine with all other dogs - large and small. The owner of the lab said he'd never done it before either and that as he was a lab, it was my dog's fault. They both approached each other in the same manner with the same body language. I felt it was totally 50-50 - can anyone help?

Answer 1

Intact or unneutered dogs are more easily provoked into a fight.
Or if the dog is a very dominant personality they are more prone to fight first.
Even dogs that have been neutered can and will start a fight if they feel threatened or if they are a dominant dog and another dog tests the waters for dominance.
It is a body language thing and you may not have seen much but to the dogs the lab and your GSD there must have been some thing going on.
I would not worry to much about it and just take care when introducing your dog to others. You should be taking care when intorducing your dog all the time. You never know when one or the other is going to get in a snit and threaten the other.
My bonded pack will growl at each other once and awhile. Most of the time over who is sleeping in what crate.

Answer 2

thats really strange that they start fighting then they're fine again. I'm guessing you know a lot about dogs, so it's not play fighting, but real aggressive fighting? fur flying? the only thing I can think of is maybe they're fighting out of boredom? Do they have toys, exercise, play time ect. every day? I'm sorry i cant help much, sounds scary. Maybe do some background info on where you got them from, just so you can have some explanation. Are they rescue pits? For now i would keep them separated when you're not home just in case it might get gruesome while you're gone. if it gets worse I would get serious help...it could get really bad. and I recommend getting your not fixed guy fixed. hormones and stuff could make him be more aggressive, and you dont want him getting a girl pregnant cause god knows the world doesnt need any more unwanted puppies! Good luck

Answer 3

I wouldn't say it was your dogs fault. GSD's are more dominant, but that doesn't mean anything. Some labs are vicious too.
When you neuter your dog, their urge to mate all the time is reduced, along with that part of them that says, what is that other male doing here, I must protect any females within so many feet of here. Intact dogs still think this way.
I have known dogs that were well socialized, great with animals, but would consistantly go after any male dog that wasn't neutered, when they were.
Some dogs will also just hate another dog, for no apparent reason. My little pointer mix hates huskies. One had never attacked her, nothing like that, she just will not tolerate being near one. My other shepherd mix hates male unneutered pits. I love them, but I can't let him near one because he will fight, and lose. Again, no reason, he just flips out when one gets near, females are fine though.

Answer 4

Well, it is my theory that most of the time neutering helps, but doesn't mean it will cure all hostility. There could have been a smell about the said lab that your dog just didn't like. Have you ever met someone that just set you off. It doesn't mean he will do it everytime. Hopefully it is an isolated incident. My dogs are territorial and do that with everyone. I don't think yours has that nature. You know.... maybe the chocolate lab... smelled like the vet...Yours had just been there and may remember that smell. It could be anything. but neutering should calm the hostility, eventually. Hope that helped. Good luck ! ~Jena

Answer 5

Un-neutered dogs will be more agressive. Labs are not usually an agressive dog, but they will protect themselves if attacked.
Obviously both dogs felt a threat at the same time and were trying to establish control.
As long as no damage was done, you should not have a concern. If there is a leash law you might need to be careful.
Not knowing all the circumstances it is hard to advise.

Answer 6

I would think it was 50-50.
Also, some German Shepherds don't have the very best temperament, so if the lab was already prone to fight - your dog probably said in dog lingo "Bring it On!"
You can prevent this by keeping him away from male dogs - ESPECIALLY un-neutered ones.
You will also need to be in full control of him at all times since he obviously is a bit dog aggressive. I would only let him play with spayed girl dogs in the future. And make sure they are not little dogs since he could hurt them.

Answer 7

Sounds like your dog could use more socialization. Remember, when meeting another dog, stay cool and praise your dog throughout the meeting...your dog can feel your stress and if you pull back on his lead it makes him associate meeting dogs with punishment. Start out by having a playdate with a dog you know is friendly. GSDs are difficult because if they have too many negative experiences with other dogs, they will become aggressive.

Answer 8

Personally I don't think it has anything to do with the neutering. Our dog is the sweetest little guy, and although he still has his bits, he'd not aggressive towards anything. Personally, I think that it is the breed and the personality of the dog itself, because he came from a family of neutered and un-neutered dogs, and all were more aggressive than him.

Answer 9

Maybe he did'nt like the lab? No really, unaltered animals are naturally more aggressive than thier fixed counterparts. It's part of that top-dog theory. If you want an animal for protection you should NEVER have it fixed. Usually that just makes them fat and lazy. In the wild, dogs spent much of the time trying to find a mate when you remove the urge. Blah. Oh, and quit feeling quilty after all they are dogs. And dogs do sometimes fight!

Answer 10

Un-Neutered dogs are definately more likely to fight! They are fighting for dominance and the Alpha position.