I got an interesting comment from Mark the other day on my Shiba Inu Personality article –
Females are the alpha of this species, not the males. If there are two pregnant females in the pack, they will fight to the death. I think mine really is a cat in dogs clothing. She’s friendly to every animal. She will swim (while I walk) along the breakwater, gladly. …
From talking with my dog-owner friends, it seems that most of them have dog packs that are ruled by an alpha female.
I say mostly because the alpha role is often fluid with dogs and may change depending on environment and activity.
This really made me wonder …
Is it more common to have a male or female in charge most of the time? How is like for your dog pack?
Why is it more common to have an alpha male/female?
I speculate that it is more common to have an alpha female.
Female dogs are more concerned about controlling resources around the house, given their role as mothers.
Alpha males would be more concerned about leading the hunt, but since there is little of that in a domestic dog’s life, the male feels less of a need to assume the alpha position.
What about human packs?
Is it more common in human households to have an alpha male or an alpha female? This is, of course, very rooted in the culture surrounding the human pack; but I really wonder what the statistics are like …
Many people say that they have a 50/50 household but I think it is difficult to achieve such symmetry.
In general, I think there are areas where the male or female really wants control, and other areas where he/she just stays away from. Occasionally though, there will be situations where everyone wants to make the call – these are the cases where it will be most clear who is the alpha.
What do you think?
What is it like with your dog pack? and your human pack?
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In our household it seems to vary. It is myself, my husband and our male Shiba puppy Reptar (9 mos). When it comes to the alpha, Reptar understands that I am the Alpha female. He responds to my commands and looks to me for discipline and understanding more than my husband. He takes me more seriously when he is being taught or when commands are given. He will look at my husband and give him this look like “What? You talkin to me!?” think for a few minutes about whether he wants to obey him. When I give him the same command, most of the time he follows without a look or an extra thought. I thought this was surprising since women generally have to work a bit harder as men have the natural dominant qualities (voice, posture etc). I realize this is because when we are teaching him commands, I remain calm and don’t push him. He gets tested on what he already knows and is expected to do that. If we’re learning something new, I have more patience which resonates well with Reptar.
On the other side, Reptar sees Mike as the protector. If Mike is out of town on business, after a day or so, Reptar realizes he’s not home so he feels the needs to step up. He sleeps at the door or always facing the door, coming back into the room i’m in to check on me and is on a much higher alert. He feels that he has to sleep in Mike’s position on the bed and assume his role in the house. If someone comes over that he does not know when Mike is away, Reptar is very rude to our guest. He barks and is constantly at my side. When he’s not full barking at the guest, he’s making little barking noises under his breath.
Very interesting post!
Well, most of the time I’m not 100 percent calm assertive, but it happens so fast I don’t have time to be scared. I also know that getting scared or panicked will only cause more trouble, so I stand my ground. If worse comes to worse and my gestures don’t ward the dog off I can always grab it, or kick it if it really means to injure.
Dogs don’t deserve to be locked up all the time. It’s sad. People don’t see it as sad; they only see it as ‘that dog is mean’ or ‘those owners are bad’. God forbid it’s a “pitbull-type” dog, because then they’ll probably report it. But if it’s a lab or golden no one does anything.