What Is the Difference in Raising Girl Vs. Boy Dogs?

When you're considering raising a new dog, the first thing you probably determine is the breed, but the second is the sex. Despite some anecdotal assertions about the behavior of male and female dogs, there isn't any consistent, hard evidence that they inherently behave differently. Behavior is mostly determined by their upbringing, but nonetheless, male and female dogs are fundamentally different physically.

  1. Reproductive Habits

    • The most readily apparent difference between male and female dogs is their reproductive systems. Intact female dogs go into estrus, or heat, twice a year. During estrus, females secrete vaginal fluids and are more likely to attract a mate. Males, on the other hand, are liable to impregnate virtually any dog they see fit at any time of year. If you plan to have your pet spayed or neutered, reproductive habits don't necessarily matter. If you have a female that you plan to keep intact, however, you need to keep her away from males -- otherwise, you could be raising more dogs than you bargained for.

    Stereotyping the Sexes

    • Conventional wisdom suggests that male and female dogs behave differently from one another, but this isn't necessarily the case. The only time that a dog's sex strongly impacts his behavior is when the dog has not been spayed or neutered. Hormones are a powerful influence. This is especially noticeable when raising puppies, because as they sexually mature, their hormones impact their behavior more and more. An intact dog may be more driven to compete against other males and to dominate others. A female dog won't necessarily demonstrate the same aggressive tendencies. This may contribute to the stereotype that males are more rambunctious than females.

    Nature Vs. Nurture

    • Raising your dogs responsibly influences their behavior significantly more than their sex. It's critical that you start training and socializing your dog early in life and raise him with discipline, otherwise, he won't hesitate to make the rules around your home. This is equally true of females, so whether you raise a boy or a girl, you need to do so with a firm hand and a consistent routine. This establishes the mutual respect that makes raising dogs significantly easier.

    Competition Concerns

    • Because male and female dogs are biologically different, your plans for your dog may determine which you would prefer. For example, a male dog can compete in shows during any time of the year -- a female, on the other hand, cannot compete while she is in estrus. Statistically, male dogs perform better in competition and shows than females do, though the exact reasons for this are up for debate. In any case, if you plan to raise a show dog, a male may give you better flexibility and better odds.