Dog fights between sisters, getting dangerous

[AccidentalTourism]

I have two bitches from the same litter aged 7, unusual giant cross breeds from puppies that we adopted when living abroad. They are both approx 50kg each. Now I know adopting two bitches from the same litter is a bad idea, but didn't at the time.

Generally, herd defending breeds are difficult dogs that require experienced confident handling. I have been a dog owner all my life and had several herd defending dogs but these have been the most challenging.

One of my bitches will attack her sister, usually over food competitiveness with little warning and when they fight, they fight to kill. Their jaws lock onto each other's muzzles and throats and they can only be separated by dragging both dogs backwards by the hind legs at the same time. It doesn't happen often but when it does, it's bad.

They've never fought when there has been only one person present, and I have no idea what would happen if they couldn't be separated, I think it's possible that they would fight to the death.

On Christmas day, my bitch attacked her sister, resulting in my DS getting bitten through the finger and on the elbow as he got caught in the crossfire. This is the third fight where a bystander has been injured and both dogs are pretty torn up. It's a serious injury for my DS, with possible long lasting tendon damage.

Separating them would be ideal but the unpredictable bitch has a bite history so can't be rehomed and we don't want to part with the other bitch as she has done nothing to deserve it.

We have an appointment at the vets to discuss options but I'm leaning toward putting her to sleep as in all honesty, I'm scared of what she is capable of, which will break our hearts as she's been with us all her life.

Any advice?

What an awful situation. Thank you for posting as I think the more people that know bitches living together can end up like this the better. I was all set to get a second bitch until I read a similar thread online. As for what you should do, in an ideal world the best idea imo would be to find the non aggressive dog a new home, but honestly, with so many rescue dogs to choose from currently, how many people are going to choose to privately rehome a 7 year old 50kg dog? It's hard as the aggressive dog also hasn't done anything wrong, she was just put in a situation that she shouldn't have been in. (Unless she has shown aggression in other situations?). Would it be impossible to keep them separate except in safe situations, like walks? I hope your DS heals up ok, that must have been really scary for you all.

Its a tough situation but I don't fancy the chances of a large unpredictable guarding crossbreed being rehomed anywhere decent.
Sadly I think you need to to PTS

It's sad, but it's actually the kindest solution for the aggressive dog. You've tried for 7 years and people are getting hurt. You can't afford to wait in the hopes that nothing worse happens.

PTS. You really can't afford to wait any longer.

Are they rescue dogs or you bred them from rescue dogs?

Unfortunately bitchesnwill fightbto the death so you need to separate immediately, worse still that they're littermates. I would have both PTS to be quite honest. I prefer dogs to humans in all honesty however I prefer to be realistic. This isn't two yorkies you're talking about here. No life for dogs having to be muzzled, isolated etc. PTS.

We got them as pups, mum was a rescue, both parents are working dogs.
I also think it's not the aggressive dog's fault, it's the situation she finds herself in.

Firstly, I'm really sorry you're in this situation - there's not enough information out there about littermate syndrome or keeping bitches together, IMO, so don't blame yourself. As they say, you don't know what you don't know.

As a PP said, bitches do fight to the death - these dogs cannot be around each other for a moment longer.

I would also agree with you that the aggressor needs to be put to sleep - a large crossbreed with a bite history cannot (IMO) be re-homed responsibly. Falling asleep with your family around you is far from the worse fate for a dog.

Sending you a big hug x

As heartbreaking as it is, I agree you need to PTS the aggressor before your DS or someone else gets even more seriously injured.

They're both fighting and whilst one may not start things, she definitely responds with equal aggression - that experience means she is as much of a risk in the future anytime, as she's learned that food, amongst other triggers, means she is going to be attacked.

I think they both need to be PTS immediately.

My husband asks - is there a breed club that can advise?

If you're in the UK there are definitely breed clubs for Pyrenean and Maremma, possibly Anatolian or Kangal, Komondor and Estrela but if they are Mioritic, Tatra or Tornjak or other less known breeds then probably not. If you can find a LGD breed club they might be able to help or advise in some way but it's a long-shot...

There are far worse fates than euthanasia. From what you’ve put here I don’t think you have much choice.

Unless you can keep them permenantly separated I think you need to have one put down. That sounds like a bad injury to your DS - you can’t keep them both if you can’t keep your family safe

Tbh, euthanasia seems the kindest option. Two enormous dogs are liable to turn on the humans who try to intervene. This is potentially lethal to you and your family.

Are the fights always around food? My rescue is a food guarder so when we had our other dog they were always fed separately even for treats (baby gate) so much less fighting.
"Mine" by Jean Donaldson is a great book on resource guarding.

I had to do behavioural euthanasia on a beloved pet. DM me if you want to talk.

But if it can't be managed I'd agree with pts the most aggressive/unpredictable one.
PTS is not terrible.

This sounds like a difficult situation when you love your dogs but the reality is that they’re dangerous. Including the less aggressive one. Your poor son. I think you need to put both dogs peacefully to sleep.

PTS
Asap
your dog bit your child
End of

Thanks all, this is very helpful and confirms my emerging realisation that we can't risk ourselves any more.

When the fight breaks out, our other bitch is equally as aggressive. It's a frenzy, not an argument. Other than that, she shows no aggression or guarding behaviour over food.

Mum is a 70 kg Mastin Espanol and dad is a 50kg Beauceron. Two breeds we were familiar with and had owned when we lived abroad, we live in the UK now and that doesn't help.

No it's not always around food, it can be jealousy too over affection.

You should have had the dog euthanised when she bit your child. She could kill him next time.

They are too big to be unpredictable at that size they could kill a child .
PTS

The fight was on Christmas day, it's just happened. We have an appointment with the vet early next week. In that time we need to make a decision, and as I'm currently going through a divorce I'd need to get consent from my STBXH through the solicitors before being able to put her to sleep.