Aggression gets a bad rap, but it’s actually surprisingly desirable and correct in many dogs.  Working breeds like livestock guardians, terriers, and protection dogs, for example, are bred for specific tasks that require varying forms of aggression. A livestock guardian dog who isn’t fearless around predators wouldn’t be very effective at protecting sheep, now would it? Let’s take a more nuanced look at aggression.

Types of Aggression: There are different types of aggression in dogs, including territorial, fear based, prey/predatory based, etc. Understanding the cause of aggression helps determine how to address it. A companion breed with fear based aggression should be worked with to correct it and make it feel more secure. A livestock guardian dog being aggressive towards strange dogs running onto its property should not be corrected, nor should it be attempted to be trained out, but going after livestock is an “absolutely not” and should be corrected immediately at best, the dog being removed from its job at worst.

Desirable Aggression: Properly channeled aggression is crucial for some working breeds. A territorial guard dog is a good thing, as is a working terrier with high prey drive. A livestock guardian dog should be extremely aggressive towards predators coming for its stock but not towards its family or charges.

Responsible Breeding: Breeders should strive for balanced temperaments. A guard dog that’s overly aggressive toward everyone is a liability, not an asset. That said, dogs that have been bred away from their jobs and correct temperament are also a liability – you never have any idea what’s going to come out and it’s a disservice to the breeds.

So, aggression itself isn’t inherently bad. It’s about understanding the cause, managing it responsibly, and appreciating its role in certain breeds. If you’re working an aggressive breed, it is your responsibility to ensure they are under control, well trained, and do not display aggression inappropriately. You should always have an emergency plan for when things go wrong, as management often fails eventually. Ensure your gear can withstand the strength of your dogs. And lastly, do not put them in the position to where their aggression is dangerous to anyone or anything that it should not be.

All of this to say: aggression does not inherently make a dog “bad”. It isn’t even undesirable or something that needs correcting in every dog. For some dogs, aggression is one of the best traits of all.