Which Are Better Pets: Male or Female Dogs?

When you decide to own a dog as a pet, you're undertaking a huge responsibility. Taking care of another living being includes monitoring its health, being aware of its eating habits, and taking responsibility for its overall happiness. After deciding on the breed, the next decision may be the gender. This is an important question. As with humans, a dog's gender can influence its behavior. In the end, it's a question of your preference.
  1. Things to Expect with Males

    • More often than not, a male will be larger in both weight and height than a female of the same breed. Males also have external genitalia, as you might expect, which can be a point of self-consciousness for the owner. Castration for male dogs is a simple procedure. Sterilization for male dogs is often less expensive.

      Behaviorally you can expect male dogs to roam. This comes from the male instinct to seek out a female companion. Therefore it's important to keep a close eye on your male dog as he may wander out of the yard in search of a mate. This can be avoided by neutering your dog.

    Things to Expect with females

    • Females will be the smaller in most breeds of dogs. Sterilizing your female dog is an expensive and invasive procedure because it involves the removal of the female's uterus. Sterilization (spaying, for females) is important so your dog is not impregnated by a roaming, unneutered, male dog. Of course if you do want puppies, females are the way to go. Females who are not spayed will have a biological occurrence known as "heat," biannually. When a female is in heat she will actively seek out a male dog to have intercourse with.

    Similarities

    • The gender of a dog doesn't have any major impact on whether it will be playful, the amount it will bark, or how watchful it will be. The dog will react to its environment and respond accordingly. These factors are more likely influenced by the dog's breed. For instance, a female German Shepherd will be a superior guard dog to a male Chihuahua.

    Nature Vs. Nurture

    • The overarching stereotype that male dogs are more aggressive is simply that: a stereotype. In other words, female dogs are just as capable of being aggressive as male dogs. A dog's personality is also dependent on the way it's raised. A female dog can be more aggressive if you raise it in an aggressive household. The way a dog is nurtured can sometimes override the nature of its gender. Males can be docile, females can be hostile.