Choosing a puppy: dominance

[TechieDog]

Can I get some opinions as to how dominance in the pack relates to hardness/softness/bidability or other notable characteristics of the dogs personality as it grows up?

Is a less dominant puppy going to be softer? More or less bidable? More or less apt to work? Apt to be less aggressive? Less apt to be distracted by other dogs?

[ShenzisMom]

They call puppies unreliable for a reason. You may have a 'soft' dog with the pack, but once he goes home, he grows harder on his own. You never know what a puppy will turn into, there are so many factors. Socialization, how he is trained, how he is interacted with. You could take the same puppy, raise him/her differently and end up with many many different dogs. It is the classic Nature vs Nuture arguement, and they both have merits.

[TechieDog]

Originally Posted by Deathmetal

They call puppies unreliable for a reason. You may have a 'soft' dog with the pack, but once he goes home, he grows harder on his own. You never know what a puppy will turn into, there are so many factors. Socialization, how he is trained, how he is interacted with. You could take the same puppy, raise him/her differently and end up with many many different dogs. It is the classic Nature vs Nuture arguement, and they both have merits.

Yeah I certainly understand that. I guess what I am asking is does dominance in the pack play a factor when selecting a pup?

Sounds like you say NO.

[ShenzisMom]

It would depend on what you wanted. I think watching the puppies in the pack is very important and watching them outside of it as well. This is why selecting a breeder who will choose a puppy for you is so important. They have been with the puppies since day 1, know how they react in situations and would have the best rough idea of what they will turn into.

Personnally dominance in the pack does play a factor for me. However, if my breeder told me that the puppy would grow away from his siblings I would trust their word.

[Freestep]

They say that the dominant pup in the litter is the one you want if you're pursuing SchH or other sport. It makes sense, as the confident alpha temperament is desireable. However, puppies are dynamic and the pup that appears to be the most dominant one day may not be the next. Sometimes the most aggressive pup will appear to be dominant, but is actually just an insecure wannabe-alpha that has learned to use aggression to solve his problems, and this is NOT the pup you want.

[TechieDog]

Originally Posted by Freestep

They say that the dominant pup in the litter is the one you want if you're pursuing SchH or other sport. It makes sense, as the confident alpha temperament is desireable. However, puppies are dynamic and the pup that appears to be the most dominant one day may not be the next. Sometimes the most aggressive pup will appear to be dominant, but is actually just an insecure wannabe-alpha that has learned to use aggression to solve his problems, and this is NOT the pup you want.

I'd think that dominance would reflect onto fight drive = a more dominant dog would be more apt to fight.

I'm told that the entire litter is very dominant as is the dam. I don't know how to take that though when considering pack dominance/rank.
In this case the most dominant male has the least drive. He is more interested in chasing the other pups then a ball or rag. The pups are 4 months old and he has been the most dominant pup all along. He did start out as the smallest male though and turned into the largest.

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by TechieDog

I'd think that dominance would reflect onto fight drive = a more dominant dog would be more apt to fight.

That's actually not true. A true alpha dog will be confident, which means he feels secure in his position and has little need to challenge anyone. It's the insecure wannabe-alpha that is more apt to pick fights.

[TechieDog]

I meant more of defense drive as in fight vs. flight.

[carmspack]

let's look at the pedigree , that will be a good guage on the potentials , will give an idea whether you have too worry about extremes in fight or flight.
Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

[TechieDog]

I don't think extremes are an issue here. All pups are very solid and confident.
Sire is Ozzy Barnero, Dam is Uny Milvel.
I was just curious if dominance within the pack matters or should be considered when making pup selection.