Well, almost 9 months down the line and Sparky and Busby are still having high-jinx together, but it is still virtually impossible to see which of them is likely to be "top dog". I've posted on their relationship previously along similar lines, and not much has changed since then. In the house, Busby still seems to have the upper hand, outside it's Sparky who seems in charge. Does there have to be a top dog within every dog household? Do any of you have a similar situation, where neither dog seems to be the true boss? Maybe Busby is still too young to show his full character yet, although he is almost as big as Sparky now, and "chunkier".

Not that I'm complaining :) - they seem to be good pals and have fun playing. Perhaps the small age gap (12 months) has something to do with it?

Tracy-

The top dog isn't always necessarily an easy thing to figure out.  :)  In my experience, size doesn't have a lot to do with it but sex and age.  To answer your question, yes, IMO there's always a dominant dog...it's the nature of the species.  However, it may be more apparent in a group rather than a coupling? 

In any case, have fun with the fact that they get along so well!  :)

We have trouble working it our too, Chloe was an only dog for four years and was babied :D but we naturally assumed that she would be dominant over any others that we brought into the house. She is very small compared to Kayla, but she still kept her in line a fair bit and did tell her off when Kay needed it but as Kayla got bigger she started to show more signs of being 'top' and she has taught our new pup more than Chloe has, which I think is an important quality for a top dog, they should disipline but they should also teach, just like we do I suppose :)
So, no I don't think its always apparent, esp. with just 2 dogs, its when you get into 5/6s that it really starts to show> We were warned that because we had 2 bitches and were adding a dog that he would be bullied but really its the girls who put up with a lot from the pup, maybe as he gets older that will change...we'll have to wait and see :D
Emily

In mature dogs, in the wild, yes, there will always be a dominant dog, but we aren't dealing with fully matured dogs, we're dealing with domesticated animals, who by selection don't fully mature, and under different situations different dogs will usually be prepared to assert themselves - this doesn't make them 'top dog' overall...

Megan was my alpha bitch for just over 7 years and ruled with an Iron rod, without intimidation or argument.  Since I lost her in June last year my pack of 7 Labs have been without this leadership.  I never had one single fight in all of Megans years as Alpha, but the loss has disrupted the pack and it has been very unsettled.  It has taken nearly 7 months for Emma to come through, I knew she would. She had now taken the role of Alpha, but does not have the commanding body language of Megan, So Penny has partially assumed dual role in certain respects. They each know and respect their own limitations and all the others have quite happily assumed their previous status.  But Summer and Ellie, who are now 8 and 6 months respectively, although they sleep, eat and play together, have now just started to try and elevate themselves from the rank of private :D :D Ellie, who is the youngest will win the battle.  Although she is smaller, less chunky and finer boned, she has the stronger personality and is now discovering the uses of body language.  I watch them and marvel at their body lanquage.  Sparky and Busby more than likely will have already decided on their roles, but maybe too subliminal for you to notice. Emma and Penny seem to rotate, depending who can be bothered :D :D but they know who is "top dog" , I hope I never have to find out :D

I've noticed within a family group of dogs that the position of 'top dog' varies according to what's happening. One may insist on leading the way when in the fields, but it'll be another who leads the way home, for example. And both of those dogs defer to another one when it comes to the comfy chair ... 'Top dog' isn't, in my experience, cast in stone.
:)

totally agree.JG. mine are all "top dog" in the things that matter most to them. i dont interfere i just let them get on with it.works for me!!

Thanks everyone,
It's really interesting to watch their body language and try to work it out, isn't it? I'd love nothing more than to be able to watch them all day :).
JG's point, and Michelled's comment about the "things that matter" have turned on a couple of lightbulbs. Busby is totally toy orientated, and more openly "cuddly". In the house he'll think nothing of pouncing on Sparky and pinching a toy, or trying to worm his way in and shove Sparky's nose out when I'm fussing him, whereas Sparky has a much stronger herding nature, likes his fuss but prefers to just lie down nearby and keep us in sight, is more collie-like, really - and it's on the field that he takes over.
So maybe it's just that - a bit like the fact that I only insist on the remote when there's something on TV worth watching!

Keeps me on my toes, anyway ;)