Battle of the Sexes – Which Dog is Better?

When it comes to the sex of a dog, which is the better pet, male or female? Actually, the better pet depends on you. If you are primarily concerned about the personality and character of your potential dog, then gender is not a significant factor. Determining factors would be based solely on the puppy’s behavior and social skills towards you and any other family members as the litter is surveyed.

However, if you wish to determine, in general, which sex in a dog would make a better pet then other factors must be considered: size, temperament, and level of care.

Factors to Consider in Selecting a Female Dog

Generally, female dogs are somewhat smaller and have a warmer personality. However, there are male dogs just as friendly as females. Often, dog trainers and breeders recommend female dogs for families with young children because of the belief that female dogs have a maternal instinct. This maternal instinct is seen as a quality that makes female dogs amiable and ideal for households that have small children.

Often individuals are concerned about owning a female dog because of the potential feminine problems. Feminine problems include heat cycles and bleeding. This should not steer you from obtaining a female dog as a pet. If this is the only factor which makes you hesitant in getting a female dog, then the ideal thing to do is to get her spayed. This will prevent these problems. Regarding behavior, females can be just as much of a challenge as their male counterparts, sometimes even more so.

Factors to Consider in Selecting a Male Dog

Having a male dog as a pet can be a bit tricky at times. This is because they have a tendency to run off when there is female dog in heat nearby. This can create problems for you in caring for the dog, as well as being potentially dangerous for the male dog. Males have been hurt, even killed, when pursuing a female in heat. This is due to factors such as moving vehicles and fights with other male dogs. For this reason, it is quite sensible to consider having your male dog fixed.

In general, male dogs can be quite territorial for they are very protective of their property. They can become extremely aggressive, willingly fighting, if they feel their property is in danger of being taken away by another male. This property even includes their items inside your home, their bathroom area, or even a female dog.

Another way that males display territorial possessiveness is by urination. They will lift their leg as high as possible while urinating. Generally, this is not an issue unless it happens inside the home.

Then again, male dogs are tremendously energetic and can be quite playful, making them enjoyable for the whole family. They also have more stamina than female dogs. This is a factor in them being chosen over females for jobs in law enforcement.