female aggression

Question
I have a 2yr old boxer and an eleven yr old dalmation, who have been together since the boxer was a pup.  Recently our boxer has shown serious aggression toward the dalmation to the point she(the dalmation) is now seriously injured.  There were only two episodes but this second one may take my dalmations life.  The boxer shows no aggresion towards other animals or humans.  She (outside this incidence) is a remarkably docile animal.  She is has been a family memeber since eight weeks, she lives in our home and goes everywhere with us.  The dalmation is an outside dog due to urinary problems.  I can not explain this attack.  I am trying to decide whether or not to put my dalmation to sleep and if I should get rid of my boxer.  I am losing two family members at once and I am so torn.  Is this type of aggression normal between two female dogs and why all of a sudden?

Answer
Hi Denise;
No it is not normal.
Are they both spayed?
If not, that could have a bearing on it.
Aggression on this level is rare.
It sounds loike this is a serious hate level that was reached, and I can't imagine what set this off, since they have been raised together, and the aggression is just showing up.
I can sympathize with how you feel, as Iove my dogs almost as much as I love the children I gave birth to.
That would be a nightmare situation for me to be in, so I understand fully how you are torn.
As far as having the Dalmation put down, that is something you and your Vet will have to decide. I don't know the extent of the enjuries.
I would not ever let these two be alone again, that's for sure.
The aggression could be dur\e to a medical situation. Have the  boxer checked for a possible abcess that could be causing severe pain the Dalmation may have hurt in soimne way.
Animal massage is very good for aggression.
I have used the Tellington Touch method to train aggression out of dogs, but this is when they doh\g had seemed to just be an aggressive dog, or when they were trained to be aggrfessive, not just a sudden change.
There could very well be a medical reason for this.
I would rule that out before I decided to get rid of the dog.
If you cannot save the Dalmation, and she HAS to be put down, you might consider keeping the Boxer, retraining her, and just not risk having another dog as long as you have her.
Since there seems to be bad blood between then now, I would be at  a quandry as to ever allow them to be together at all again. It would certainly keep you worried to death, wouldn't it?
That is such a heartbreaking situation you are in.
I wish I could be more help to you.
Charlotte