Apologies for subject text for a start.We have an 18month old bull terrier male and a two and a half year old castrated airedale terrier which we have had from puppies,they have always had a playfight now and then which to some degree i have tried to break up.Unfortunately about a week ago they have started to get a bit nastier to each other resulting in superficial injuries(at the moment).I have spoken to their agility/obedience instructors who have said that we will have to get rid of one of them(which of course we do not want to)also to a dog psychologist who says that the bull terrier is soon going to be the dominant dog and our airedale is having one last stab at dominance and feels that by stopping the fights we have made the situation worse because they have not sorted out who is top dog.
I just wondered if there is anyone out there who can help.
Thanks Leon

To be honest at this age things can start to get nasty if unlucky. I'm sure these two dogs have had many playfights, which are practise for the real thing and during these playfights heirarchy's generally are sorted before a real one starts.  Have you stopped even the younger playfights over the last 18 months?

Many Bullbreeds are known for not tolerating another male and the ages are not exactly great between them, the Bull terrier would be expected to be the Alpha.

Is your Airedale laid back or does he stand his ground? (I've only met a couple but they seem to be a very placid dog) Stay vigilant for now, and seperate when not there, see how things go, they may settle if your Bull terrier sees no threat, or he may just not wish to share a home with another male in which case you would certainly have to re-home one or forever keep them seperate.

Don't interfere with the odd growl or snarl as long as they can make no contact, if these two are able to live together that should be enough to warn off your Airedale, but personally with the ages now, if they want a fight I would not allow it, your Airedale stands no chance, it's not a fair fight, as pups it was ok, but now it is dangerous and a deadly game.

I used to know an Airedale breeder, and my impression of the breed has always been that they would never START a fight - but would certainly defend themselves if another dog threatened them. I think you could have a real problem here. The Airedale is a big, powerful dog and could be fairly evenly matched with the Bully if it became really serious.

They were in fact the first breed in the UK to be Police dogs.

If any of the Airedales I've met are any guide, I wouldn't be expecting one to back down :( they do seem very dog dominant (to me anyway) especially the dogs, and would definately want to finish a fight even if they didn't start it - which goes for many terrier breeds ;)

An opinion you understand only what I see happening around me.

I would not be allowing even the stand and stare type of aggression with two males.  You must be the grown up and step in before it escalates.  Under no circumstances allow them to fight as at this play-fights are getting out of hand.

Are they getting lots of exercise, it helps tremendously if you tire them out first thing and a shorter walk in the evening at least.  Walks in between are good if you can do it. 

I have two full males, both opinionated breeds but not noted for fighting, and even when one of my bitches is in season there is no dominance issue because we simply don't allow it.  During the bitches seasons the boys stay together without mishap, in fact all the dogs live together without dominance issues and they are all unneutered.  If you really cant get them to settle and get on you may have to let one go, which is always a last resort in my book.

one last stab at dominance and feels that by stopping the fights we have made the situation worse

i think its just me but i dont understand why he said it would make it worse surely when you have a dog like this allowing them to continue to fight would result in one of the dogs bein seriously hurt or even killed?

What he means is that by not allowing themselves to sort it out between them when they were younger and it would be more 'words', means that now they're more serious about it as well as being bigger and stronger, so more likely to do each other damage.

This is where rough play when young allows dogs to largely sort things out and we should only step in if things go too far, bullying or in danger of hurting each other.

The Bull Terrier is now reaching adult hood and is probably searching to take over the household in terms of top dog as they dont fully mature the bull breeds until they are 2 years old or more. With normal breeds this is normal playfighting and can get boisterous but with a bullbreed you do have to be extra careful as they are a gladiator breed and the last thing you want is a proper fight.

Just keep a sharp eye and stop them from getting too rough like the otehrs have said, but please watch the BT as he would be more likely to start a fight then the airedale if it did ever come to that!
You dont have to get rid, just be more vigilent at all times not letting them share toys etc or simply keep them seperated by using baby gates.

(The behavourist that you spoke to in my opinion has said the stupidist thing by saying let the BT fight the airedale to assert dominance??!! That is a very dangerous philosophy to have with bullbreeds as it could so easily escalate if not controlled, that has really annoyed me )