Dominanace related to drives

[rasmy]

I have a question here, is dominanace related to any of the dog drives??

I know that drives form the dog personality, and drives determine the kind of work the dog will best do, for example to do good protection work, the dog must be high on prey and defensive drives, but is this related to the dominance behaviour that any dog breed show??

I find that other breeds that are less dominant than the Rottweiler can do better protection work , the Brazilian Fila and the Neapolitian masstiff are two examples of breeds that are high on protection work and less dominant than the rottweiler, so I'm confused if dominance behaviour is related to any of the dog drives or not!?

[spidey]

the Brazilian Fila and the Neapolitian masstiff are two examples of breeds that are high on protection work and less dominant than the rottweiler

I certainly haven't found that to be at all true in my admittedly limited experience with those breeds. Why do you say that they're less dominant?

[rasmy]

I say that they are less dominant based on my readings about the breeds and personal experience, I have seen about 5 Neo and they were very less dominant than an average Rottweiler, i have never been exposed to a Fila but from my readings about this breed they never chalenge their owner.

[spidey]

I was at a show recently where a Fila went for his owner because the owner told him to sit. At the same show a Neopolitan was growling at his owner nonstop when the owner gave him commands. The only other Neopolitan I've met was extremely dominant and almost uncontrollable. The reading I've done says that they're both very dominant breeds, and in my experience, these breeds are at least as, if not more, dominant than the Rottweiler. Depending on where you get your information from, much of what you read about breed characteristics is pretty inaccurate in the real world, in my opinion.

[Judi W]

Always keep in mind the genetic selection that goes into a breed. The Fila was bred to work on its own guarding its group against any and all interlopers. It was NOT bred to work as a partner with a human, taking instructions and so forth. What you are reading likely describes the breeds peacefullness with its group but that does not mean it has a heritage of working as a partner, it works on its own.

So, low dominance - perhaps as long as it is not asked to submit to any instructions. I too am quite peaceful as long as no one is bossing me around. Doesn't mean I am less dominant.

[rasmy]

Ok, so is dominanace related to drives??

what I mean is if a breed is known to be dominant is this mean that it will be hi in certain drives and vice versa??

[Judi W]

It is not that simple a correlation and even dominance is situational as are drives. Most drives are not simple mindless responses to stimulus. Example: Herding is built on prey drive only in the herding dog, they bring the prey home. The gaze hound is very high in prey drive, but they certainly are not equipped to herd - they chase down their prey and kill it on the spot. Behavior is complex.

[rasmy]

I got it Judy, thanks for help.

[valdes43]

Originally posted by Judi W
Behavior is complex.

Right! There are so many different variables that it's hard to give a general statement.