Male vs. Female Dogs: 10 Essential Pros and Cons

Males Versus Female Dog Traits for Family Pets and Those Training for Competition.

Does a male or a female dog make a better pet for you and your family? I am frequently approached by puppy seekers who will only consider a female dog.  Sometimes they explain that their preference for a female is because they have only experienced female dog ownership, while others expect a girl to be more loving and protective of their children. 

Males, they fear, are prone to marking, and perhaps are more aggression. Many puppy seekers expect them to be tougher, less loving and more apt to fight with other dogs.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Why Take a Breeder’s Advice on Male vs. Female Dog Temperaments?

Recently a group of reputable breeders, several hundred online, discussed the pros and cons of male and female dog ownership.  Breeders have an interesting perspective, as they own multiple males and females within their own households.

Breeders also have years, decades even, of experience placing puppies in their forever homes successfully. Good breeders continually receive feedback on how their puppies have fit into their households and performed in their training over the course of the dog’s lifetime. 

While these temperament differences between boys and girls are generalizations, breeder thoughts and experiences may help you to decide which sex is really the best fit for you and your family’s needs, any sports you may be interested in competing in, as well as general activity levels. 

If a breeder or rescue organization tells you something about the puppy or dog’s temperament, take their advice to heart.  If they think the prospective pet will not be good with children or cats, don’t assume you can train the animal out of its natural temperament or propensities. Trust their gut and avoid future heartache for yourself.

Boy Dogs Tend to Be More Happy Go Lucky Than Girl Dogs

Boys tend to be more playful than the girl dogs and somewhat more easily distracted.  They are more accepting of other animals and take to children faster than the girls.  They also tend to be more needy for attention than the females.

Girls tend to be more intense, protective and territorial than boys.  However the girls tend to be somewhat more intuitive.  Most girls are serious and purposeful with a stronger work ethic, while males tend to be a little goofy. Girls, especially intact females, can be moody, while males are relatively stable in their outlook. 

Males Dogs Live to Please Anyone; Females Are More Independent and Focused In Their Bidability

Male dogs live to please their owners or trainers. They are more treat oriented than the females.  While they love to please, they tire of games and training more easily. Therefore, they should be trained over shorter periods more frequently.

Girl dogs are more focused in training, especially with that special person. With others household members, they tend to be more independent and may weigh whether their request or command is in her best interest or not.

Males Tend To Love and Obey All Family Members; Female Dogs Tend To Have One or Two Masters

Boys make better family dogs as they are not devoted to a single family member.  Girls tend to focus on one family member, and lavish them with slavish devotion.  Some family members will feel left out of this intense dog/owner relationship.  She may even spend her days at the window, waiting for her favorite owner to return from work or the store, rather than playfully enjoying time with the rest of the family in the house at that time.

Boys Stay Puppyish Longer; Girls Become More Dignified and Imperious as They Age

Boys with their goofy, happy-go-lucky attitudes tend to stay playful longer than their female counterparts.  As females age, they become grand dams and pause to think about their dignity. Females also expect more respect from the other canine household members as they age. The females alpha natures become more engrained over time.

Females Are More Dominant Versus Male Dogs

If you own a male and a female dog, you will find that the female will almost always dominate her male companion. As in all of nature, the girls have what the boys want, and as a result the boys will allow the girls to dominate them.  In play, a much larger dog will allow the smaller female to take him down by his ruff.  He will hesitate to steal her food, while she may easily push him off of his meal. In fact, in wild dog packs, the females set the pecking order.

Why Top Trainers in Agility, Herding and Obedience Prefer to Train Females

Given that boys can be more easily distracted, the girls’ intense focus and never quit attitudes make them more competitive at the top levels of competition. Comments from trainers include:

• The boys get lazy herding after a while
• Girls are driven and focused at the task on hand
• Girls are more serious when learning
• Girls are more complex; the boys wear their emotions on their sleeve
• I prefer boys as pets and girls for competition
• I always know where I stand with my boys versus my moody girls

Cost of Ownership Males versus Female Dogs

There should be no price difference between a male or female pet puppy, either from a breeder or rescue. These animals are not meant to be bred, and as such there is no cost difference between them.

Males tend to be 10-20% larger than females and will require a little more food accordingly. If that is a concern, choose a small or toy breed; the difference will be negligible.

Male vs. Female Dog Marking

While females don’t fully hike their legs, they can and do mark their territory just as much as any male will.  Some females actually do get a slight hike going when they are marking, as opposed to simply eliminating. 

Males who are house broken will not mark in the house, as they grow out of puppyhood. However, if a strange dog visits the house and does mark in his territory, he will be compelled to cover up that scent with his own.  Your best course of action is to cleanse the spot with vinegar and water or a urine destroyer to prevent future marking in that location.

Canine “Humping” Male and Female is an Act of Dominance

Young puppies exhibit this behavior with each other as an act of dominance.  Puppies both male and female engage in this behavior, as they are setting pecking orders and boundaries with their littermates. This is one reason that it is important for littermates to stay together, until eight weeks of age at minimum.  Bite inhibition is another. The puppies teach each other what is acceptable behavior in their young pack. They shriek when they are being treated in a manner that they find abusive or humiliating.

Adult females will hump males and other females as an act of dominance, if they believe they can get away with it.  Males rarely hump other males, and generally only attempt to hump a female if she is in estrus or “season.”

Females also tend to try domination techniques with strange females, where males tend to glare to see if the other dog will submit.  Dominant females may place their head over the neck of another female to test if she will accept this domination technique.  If the other female does not like it, a fight may quickly be on.

Girls Hold Grudges Longer Than Boys

In dog fights, males typically fight until the other dog has rolled over and submitted.  Females, on the other hand, will fight to the death, exhaustion or separation. Every breeder dreads a “bitch” fight.

And the girls will hold grudges with each other for a lifetime.  Girls will always be ready to have another throw down with their enemy, once a fight has broken out between the girls.  Once a fight has broken out between two females, they will have to be watched carefully or separated.  Anything that causes anxiety (a leaf blower or vacuum even) can cause a ruckus between the girls.

Boys tend to maintain their alpha position without challenge from the omega males, until old age invites a challenge to his position as alpha male.

Male vs. Female Recommendations for Those with a Dog Already In Residence

If you already have a dog and are wanting to add a companion for him or her, consider getting the opposite sex of your current canine companion.  They will almost surely get along once the introduction has been completed.

Two neutered males should get along together very well.  If you have a neutered male, a male puppy should fit in nicely.

A resident, spayed dominant female can get along with a submissive female puppy or adult. Rely on those who have handled the new dog to assess its temperament.

Two dominant females will make for an edgy household.  It is best not to bring a bossy female into a home with a submissive female already in residence.  The bossy female will subjugate the submissive female and she will experience depression and resentment.

Male vs. Female Dog Ownership: In Conclusion

In summary, if you are seeking a best buddy that reads your mind and is dying to please you and only you, go for the girl.  She will be independent yet devoted to her person. If you are looking for a family dog that is happy to play with the kids (including their friends), loves everyone almost equally, with more of an off switch, go for the boy.  He will like to check in with everyone for love and approval. Wherever the belly rub can be had, he will be by their side.

Of course these are generalizations, and behavior is dependent on the dog’s breed, that pedigree line and essential temperament.  Confident dogs will have better impulse control, while softer temperaments may be more reactive. Be sure to socialize your new dog, by introducing him or her to many new situations with happy experiences. Puppy manners classes and AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Classes are a great way to start socialization and earn your first title!