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?

But your son has sustained permanent tendon damage in the last three days. That's even before you describe physically separating these massive dogs that are trying to kill one another. Your son is permanently harmed/disfigured/potentially disabled as a result of you not doing anything on the previous two occasions.

Are you really assuming that everything will be fine now they're both injured and one took some chunks out of your son?

Horrible position to be in, I’m a dog owner but have no knowledge with this breed. But based on what you’ve said I think you have no choice but to pts. It’s a horrible decision, but ultimately you can’t trust these dogs.
if it were me I’d be considering this option for both dogs as I wouldn’t fully trust either of them around me or my family.
I know you say it’s the one dog that instigates it, but they’re the same breed, with the same breed traits.

I'm not assuming things will be fine, hence deciding to put a dog to sleep and separate them in the meantime.

Please don't twist my words, my son MAY have tendon damage. Up until this point they have fought so rarely, I thought it unlikely they would ever fight again. They have and I'm taking action.

You're right, I can't trust the aggressive one.

The other dog is very different, more like a Labrador in behaviour, I do trust her.

PTS. You can't keep her and she'll not be rehomed safely. Every time they are being dragged apart you risk the humans being injured, big powerful dog injuries. It's the only thing for it. Sorry you're having to make these tough decisions.

I think once the trust is gone there is only one option isn’t there. Sorry you’re in this position, but it’s absolutely the right decision x

There isn't any twisting necessary with;

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.

So they've had significantly more than three fights, it's just three where an innocent human party has been injured. And the 'innocent' (all dogs are innocent) dog has experienced being attacked and fighting for its life multiple times. That trauma is also a massive risk in the future - she could be reminded of things by a smell, a sound, a pain, another dog - and then react to a human as though she's again fighting for her life.

I love dogs. Absolutely adore them. I'd still have both dogs PTS.

Thanks for all of your calm, experienced voices. It's helped me to make my decision.

I'm leaving this thread now before it descends into a bun fight.

What a heartrending situation. Thank you for posting, Op. I knew about littermates but not that it was a bad idea to have two bitches together. Wishing you the best.

YE GODS!!!
Imagine putting your family at risk like that😱

Is this necessary? It is neither constructive nor helpful.