4 year old Zeus is a gentle giant and 16 month old Bully boy Tai is turning into a bit of a tyrant ,
The pair had a scrap tonight I believe its jealousy  as Zeus was playing ball with my son and Tai lunged at him, Zeus defended himself giving a snap back but Tai went nuts it turned into a fight which I had a job breaking up and not because of Zeus he was trying to get back but Tai wouldn't stop coming at him ,
Now this is the second time this has happened in the last few weeks but this time it was harder to get hold of  Tai and get him away ,
OH says its me as Tai don't walk around with an attitude when his down stairs just when im their he seems to be intimidating the other 2 dogs but mostly Zeus ,
Neither dog was hurt tonight thank god , but am starting to think that I may have to end up keeping them separate  as Tai gets older and worry it will get worse as he matures ,
Having said that All 3 dogs were in the garden all morning today with no problems I washed all my windows and they all played well together , but tonight has got me a little worried mainly im thinking what would happen when Tais 4 years old would I even be able to part them at all ,
I thought maybe get them both neutered if it would help but then this does not always work does it,
I have been trying  with Tai to keep him distracted and we play with him a lot but seems that you cant play with Zeus and Tai together as what Zeus has Tai wants  and he will nip at Zeus to get it I think Zeus has now had enough of this and I cant blame him ,
After it was all over tonight they went for a walk with OH for hour came back settled Tai in his crate and his growling at Zeus whos  in his bed next to Tai so Zeus gets up and goes to the end of the passage to sleep it almost like Tai is ordering him about,

Then their was the time with the big knuckle bones I bought them all one each and tai had his in the cage while zeus had his just outside Tai was growling at Zeus and Zeus would not touch his bone he normally loves them but I felt that Tai even tho he was in the cage with his own bone was warning Zeus that he wernt to touch his own one I ended up taking Zeus into the garden but he still never touched it , don't sound good does it plz any advice i really dont want to rehome Tai but dont want a bloodbath on my hands either, and is this really fair on my other dogs ,
can i train Tai out of this behaviour and how, would Neutering help? i dont want to do that either if theirs a chance it would make no differance at all,
?? any advice i'd be so greatful,

sounds like Tia is trying to be top dog and whether this works out could all depend on your older dog excepting him in charge or not. saying that even if your older dog was happy for Tia to be in charge doesn't always mean that the fighting will stop. all this really depends on the dogs.
i have two bitches who had a fight not long after i first got the latest one but luckily my older bitch backed down and now she knows the younger one is in charge and will always back down.
i do how ever keep on top of things and when it comes to playing with them i tend to do this on a one to one as this can course problems.
carrying on training classes has helped a lot as my younger bitch knows i'm boss and will listen to me pretty much all the time, so if i tell her to leave  the other dog alone she usually will. because we have built up a good relationship she will tend to look to me for my reaction in situations instead of making her own mind up.
distraction has been the key for me, i carry treats round with me most the time and if play gets too excited then i will call the youngest one and get her to sit and be calm then reward this behaviour and then she forgets what she was doing.
i will not allow her to jump on or bully my older bitch and she has learn that this is not acceptable as my older bitch finds it too much to cope with sometimes. i do let them have a play together but i make sure their in the fight mood. they also go for walks together and burning off thier energy also helps keep them calm and avoid things tipping over the edge.
they have treats when they are good but never in the same room, it's best to avoid anything that will course a fight. if not giving them bones stops them being silly then they don't have them.
it's hard to judge your situation and i have worked very hard to get where i am now but all three of my dogs are now happy in each others company 99% of the time but one thing i never do is leave the bitches alone together and they sleep in different rooms as it's not worth the risk especially when their in a confined space.
i hope things sort themselves out for you.      

Sounds like Tai is the natural higher ranking dog, but not yet mature enough to handle it with dignity. 

Zeus is accepting this except when it really matters to him, and Tai then feels the need to put him back in his place.

You need to take charge more in the dogs eyes, get them more focused on you calling the shots.

Lots of little training sessions for both, but especially Tai of watch me type exercises so you can distract and diffuse situations before they happen.  Anticipate what is likely to cause friction.

For example eating a bone next to each other will so send one to one spot and the other to another and ensue with your obeyed.

As Tai matures and gains confidence in his rank he will no longer feel the need to be a bully.

I had to do a bit of this when my Kizi took over from her grandmother. 

She would set up situations where she could exert power over the others.  For example she would not eat her food, and  after the others had eaten would guard her dish.  I took it away. 

She would lie in strategic spots and not let the others pass by, I ordered her away, things gradually settled and she is still the top bitch at 12, though her very clever granddaughter is in second position waiting in the wings, but never ever putting herself in a position of conflict with Kizi..

She would set up situations where she could exert power over the others.  For example she would not eat her food, and  after the others had eaten would guard her dish.  I took it away. 

She would lie in strategic spots and not let the others pass by

Thank you both , and brainless this is exactly what my Tai does ,
Zeus is pretty easy going and takes it all in his stride he's never really fazed by anything and pretty much lets Tai do what he likes ,

i do carry treats around to use as a distraction and it works to a point but i can almost tell when Tai's getting a bit to boomy and i call him away,
but he always goes back think i need to be firmer ,

Zeus is fine and listens to me very well i dont think he cares about being top dog,

i did a bit of research last night looking up Tai's father again and i found on another pet forum an old post from last year, by 2 people who also have pups from my boys Dad and they both say they are very bosy with their other dogs so seems it is a family trait, not a very good one to me i think,
will look up for some training classes for me and Tai i do know i am part of the problem as when OH is around theirs NO way anything like this would happen,
He is always telling me that everythings been fine till i come in the door then even the cats start walking in and out the kitchen while he is cooking (and OH hates it) or Tai starts making up Noise and being nippy to Zeus ,
think iv got a long road and a lot of hard work ahead of me with him,
He does listen to me but i have to put on a firm mean voice (ie not talk to him like his my baby) you know what i mean , i find it hard to be that stern but i do know that when iv had enough of a certin situation i will just say RIGHT BED!!  and Tai does know  when im serious, think i need to be like this more ofter, but i do feel mean, but it does work,

i would never leave them alone together i know that but better supervision and i will try the watch me type exercises see how it goes,

As Tai matures and gains confidence in his rank he will no longer feel the need to be a bully.
I hope so ,

> so seems it is a family trait, not a very good one to me i think,
>

That depends.

It is the more dominant individuals that will have a more protective nature so the two traits go hand in hand.

If your breed is required to be a Guard, or as in the Mastiff breeds in their past War dogs then it is part of what makes them what they are, it is fortunate that by and large they have a phlegmatic disposition with a long fuse, but this can mean people don't notice when the blue touch paper has been lit until too late..

If they were Retrievers then this would not be a desirable trait.

Terriers are reactive because the reason for their being is as catchers of vermin and quick reactions and sharpness are what make them good at it. It can also make them have a short fuse, and in other situations they can be easily roused.

My breed are a hunting dog that has to face large prey, but they must not be so gung ho as to go all out and get themselves killed.

A Bold and Energetic temperament is called for.

I would expect any self respecting male in my breed to show some male attitude, it is training that keeps this in check, and to be honest they are largely bluffers.

My girls if they fall out any 'fight' if you can call it that is all noise and bluster and they do not hold a grudge.

On the other hand if set upon by another dog they stand their ground, and this is enough to give an aggressor pause.

'fight' if you can call it that is all noise and bluster

yes i do think thats what it mostly was with my 2 yesterday , all teeth and noise really but it sounded pretty awful to anyone who dont understand that,

Tai is an EBT he does get very Jelous and i try to avoid situations that will cause this but then its getting to the point that he does not like the other dogs coming near me when his got that mood on,

and he will hold a grudge he seems to hold it for quite a while almost like he's agreved at being told off and then sulks ,

i think iv created this situation myself by allowing him to be to close to me alot of the time,