"You don't want to try dealing with two same age, male, comparable dogs when they hit maturity. As one breeder on this forum put it something to the effect two equal males hitting maturity: it will be the mother of all battles." (MAWL).
I completely agree with the quote below. And that goes double if there is a female dog in heat around. I even separate my two otherwise friendly males during this time- they are different breeds and 7 years apart in age but there is more tension between them than I like to see during standing heat (they are kept separate from the females of course, too) and why in the world risk that fight?
I have two sisters (dogs). In the month or so before they go into heat, they get a bit antsy with each other. Nothing I can't put a stop to easily. Nothing near what might happen if I let two brothers of this breed/type go at it.
Per some posters on this forum, males fight for "breeding rights" not "breathing rights" so they won't kill each other? Breeding and breathing are the same thing, when it comes to males. They will fight to the end. Particularly around a female in heat.
I'm not sure why people on this forum think bitches are so aggressive with each other and more aggressive than males? I've seen just the opposite. It only takes one male to impregnate all the girls. A male has no reason to keep another male around. If they are in the same house, a male dog can't chase the other boy off, so he is in a situation where he needs to eliminate him. Thus, a male dog who is fine with other dogs outside the household, could have an issue within-pack male dogs.
Yes, it could be managed, controlled, trained. But it would still be constant vigilance with two male dogs the same age, lines, breed. Littermates in particular.
Boys, men, male dogs are all more aggressive and violent than the females of the same species. If we deny that, we are denying basic biology.
From what I've observed, though, unlike in the human species, male dogs are never aggressive or violent toward the female dogs in their pack. A solid male is even respectful and gentle through the breeding process. Not to be gross, but it is true.
I wouldn't consider breeding a male dog who was aggressive to bitches. As for humans, a similar standard wouldn't be a bad idea.
To circle back to topic, though, within like breeds-lines, yes, the intact male is on top. Females can pull the strings and make the decisions, but the male is still the top. I've even seen the male tell the girls to knock off their bickering. And those girls listen immediately.
You see the same in many species. You ever watched two rutting bulls go at it while a few cows just stand there and watch? The cows aren't the ones fighting.