What are the Differences Between Male & Female German Pinschers?

German pinschers are medium-sized and classified as working dogs by the American Kennel Club. The breed is related to Dobermans and schnauzers and is known for its agility, intelligence and stamina. They can make excellent pets, particularly for energetic families that can meet their exercise needs. Though dogs are strongly influenced by training and early socialization, there are subtle differences between male and female dogs. Potential dog owners should note that these differences are only generalities and that an individual dog may deviate from the norm.

  1. Aggression

    • The factor that most strongly affects aggression is early socialization. No well-trained dog should have aggression issues. However, male and female German pinschers are susceptible to different forms of aggression, particularly if left untrained. Males are more likely to behave aggressively with other males, particularly if they are not neutered. They may also become aggressive when a nearby female is in heat. Though males tend to have a lower threshold for aggressive behavior with other dogs, females are more likely to get in serious fights that are difficult to break up. They are also more likely to be aggressively protective of family members, particularly children.

    Sexual Behavior

    • Male and female pinschers each present their own challenges in terms of sexual behavior, especially if they are not spayed or neutered. Unspayed females go into heat twice a year. They bleed and attract male dogs from surrounding areas. Males, especially young and unneutered ones, are prone to humping objects, people and other dogs. This behavior can usually be avoided if males are neutered before they are six months old.

    Running Away

    • Males are more likely than females to run away from home, escape and wander. This is because even when males are neutered, they may still be attracted by the scent of a female in heat. Owners of male German pinschers should be careful about creating adequate barriers to escape. The strength and speed of pinschers makes them especially challenging to catch when they have escaped.

    Size

    • On average, male pinschers are larger than females, though there are certainly exceptions and any individual female may be larger than any individual male. The AKC prescribes 17 to 20 inches at the highest point of the dog's withers as the ideal height for these dogs. Females will be closer to 17 inches, while many males may grow larger than 20 inches. Males also tend to weigh more than females at an average 35 pounds, while females average 25 pounds.

    Intelligence

    • There is no quantifiable difference in intelligence between male and female German pinschers. Some individual dog owners may report small differences, but there is no reason to think these differences actually exist or that, if they do, they are innate. Dog trainer Jean Donaldson speculates that dog owners may treat males and females in subtly different ways, thus creating dogs that behave slightly differently.