Alpha Dragon

The Alpha Dragon is the indivdual in the dragon community with the highest known rank. So far, only male dragons are the only ones that have been documented as Alphas, but it is likely that the rank does not depend on gender. The Alpha is considered the "King of all dragons" setting it apart from nest queens. The role of Alpha is often won by combat, sometimes to the death, but not necessarily. The Alpha's natural duty is to protect all dragons, and thus it is a very important role for the survival of dragon kind. Unfortunately this role can be seriously abused as seen in the events caused by Drago's Bewilderbeast.

The Role
The Position of Alpha can change in dragons, usually through a fight to the death. The Alpha has been seen providing food and protection for other dragons. Because the role of Alpha is won by combat, it seems very likely that Alphas are almost always massive dragons, Toothless being an incredibly unlikely case. The Bewilderbeast has been referedd to as the Alpha species, and this may be due to the fact that their size leads to them often rising to that rank. An Alpha holds the ability to very strongly manipulate the wills of other dragons. Valka's Bewilderbeast used this ability sparingly, while Drago's abused it. Whether or not Toothless can now bend the wills of other dragons is unclear. One way a dragon can become exempt from this control is by challenging the Alpha to mortal combat. In a challenge fight, the winner of the battle will win both the rank of Alpha and the loyalty of all dragon kind. The rank of Alpha is one of the most powerful and deadly forces in the dragon world.

Valka's Bewilderbeast
Lost position to Drago's Bewilderbeast.

Trivia

 * The trance that an Alpha can put other dragons under strongly resembles the Red Rage found in the later How To Train Your Dragon book series.


 * The Red Death has a similar ability to force dragons to its will, seen when it used to force dragons to bring it a constant supply of food. It is unknown how it acquired this ability.