Battle of the Sexes

Deciding between a male or female dog is a decision most pet owners have to face once in a while. In most cases, it comes down to an issue of personal preference. Some people prefer girls, others would rather have a boy – it’s as simple as that!

Regardless of your choice, it is advisable to have your dog desexed unless you are intending to keep him/her for breeding purposes. This is important for population control, for reducing ‘undesirable behaviour’ (having your dog hump granny’s leg during the Christmas barbie can be a little embarrassing!) and for lessening the chances of the dog developing various types of cancer. Generally speaking, desexed dogs live longer, healthier lives.

Pros for female dogs

•    Female dogs are generally thought to be easier to train (including house-training) than males, partly because they are less likely to mark their territory at every opportunity (although they will do this if they feel threatened).
•    Female dogs tend to be less aggressive than males.
•    Female dogs can last up to 12 hours without needing to go to the toilet – an important consideration if your dog has to be left inside during the day.
•    Female dogs tend to empty their bladders in one go, rather than little and often as the boys do (particularly in chilly weather).
Cons for female dogs
•    It is considerably more expensive to have a female dog desexed than a male.
•    If not desexed, a female dog can go in heat twice a year. She will need to be kept inside at this point to avoid unwanted attention and you will also have to clean up after her.
•    Females tend to be more independent than males. They may like time alone and may not always want to be patted.
Pros for male dogs
•    Male dogs are typically more dependent on their owners than females. They tend to revel in shows of affection and will exhibit total loyalty.
•    Male dogs generally make better watch dogs or guard dogs as they are often more dominant and self-confident.
Cons for male dogs
•    Males are prone to excessive territory marking and displays of aggression. This can be reduced with training and having our dog desexed will help eliminate such behaviour totally.
•    Males that haven’t been desexed have a tendency to roam if a nearby female is in heat.

There is a school of thought suggesting that if you already have a dog at home and are thinking about getting another, you should make sure it is of the opposite sex to reduce the risk o f fighting and other integration issues. However, there are also plenty of stories out there disputing this notion.

Whichever sex you opt for, training is important. Each animal is an individual, with its own distinct personality, so some exhibit typical behaviour and others don’t. Regardless, training – and plenty of love and affection – is essential to make your dog an integral part of your family.

Images by paulfromest and Ivan Leshko