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My great dane has become aggressive

20 8:59:45

Question
Our thorn great Dane Ro is beautiful and we love her to pieces.  She came into season for the first time a couple of weeks ago so we are going through the hormonal stages now.  My sister lives next door and they have a Newfoundland x bernese called winston who plays with Ro all the time, they are true best friends.  He has been neutered but he is a very territorial dog and does not tolerate any other dog coming onto his a Ro's patch.  Ro has never  been interested in fighting but since she has come into season she has joined in with Winston.  We have had three fights in the last couple of weeks and it's getting out of control.  Ro and Winston had hold of my next door neighbors terrier yesterday and Ro was shaking him, I have never been so scared in my, she was playing around with him only a few hours before.  I don't know if this is because she is on heat and she is Winstons property so they packed up on him or because I had her shut in the garden cos there was food around and when I let her in she went for him because of food.  I have now shut the dogs in separate gardens as I feel they are getting too close and need some time to socialize with other dogs separately.  Do you have any advice?  Preferably we would like her to have a litter but if getting her spayed puts a stop to this then I have no choice.

Answer
Megan,

From what you are describing your best option is to have her spayed. If she is becoming aggressive during her heat, this is likely to be passed down to puppies. If you have not health tested your dog to eliminate the possibility of hip dysplasia, heart disease, thyroid issues and eye diseases, you need to spay her and let her be a pet. If you are not actively showing in conformation, then it is un-necessary to add to the pet population, especially with a dog that has an unstable temperament. If you want to have a litter in the future hook up with a breeder that will be your mentor and start with a nicely bred dog. Get into the show ring and learn to handle, that way you will be breeding for the betterment of the breed, not just to have a litter of puppies.

Visit the gdca.org to find a good breeder in your area.