Male or Female dog ? Who makes a better pet ? Opinions, opinions…
The preconceived notion: many people believe that female dogs make better pets, more affectionate, more attached and so on. Most calls for pet dogs have people wanting a “sweet little girl”. Most people tend to believe that a female dog will not display the “Alpha Dog” behaviors like “urine marking” or “humping”. They believe that they are more docile and attentive, and do not participate in fighting over dominance.
Well, here are the facts: they don’t call them “bitch” for nothing!
In a dog pack, females usually rule the roost, determine pecking order, and females are the ones competing to maintain or change that order. The females are, as a result, more independent, stubborn, and territorial than their male counterparts. The females are much more inclined to exercising their dominance by participating in “alpha behaviors” such as “humping”. There is a reason people utilize the technical dog term of “bitch” in a negative way, and it refers directly to the behaviors exhibited by the females of the canine world. Most fights will usually break out between two females.
Spaying helps neutralize some of the female typical behaviour, but not entirely. Females tend to be more reserved or dignified as they mature.
Males, on the other hand, are usually more affectionate, exuberant, attentive and more demanding of attention. They are very attached to their humans. They also tend to be more steadfast, reliable and less moody. They are more outgoing, more accepting of other pets and accept children more quicker. Most boys are easily motivated by food and praise, and so willing to please that training is easier. However, males can be more easily distracted during training, as males like to play more often. And no matter what age, he is more likely to act silly and more puppy-like, always wanting to play games. Boys are fun-loving until the day they die.
Neutered males rarely exhibit secondary sexual behavior such as “humping” or “marking” and lifting of leg to pee. Once the testosterone levels decline after neutering, most of these behaviors tend to disappear. Males who are neutered early (around 5 months of age) usually don’t ever raise their leg to urinate (BUT this is just 50-50 probability).
While the female will usually come to you for attention, when she’s had enough, she will move away. While boys are always waiting for your attention and near at hand. Females are usually less distracted during training, as she is more eager to get it over with and get back to her comfy spot on the couch. The female is less likely to wage a dominance battle with YOU, but she can be cunning and resourceful in getting her own way. She is much more prone to mood swings. One day she may be sweet and affectionate, the next day reserved and withdrawn or even grumpy. The female also has periods of being “in heat” unless she is spayed.
Female’s seasonal heats can be a three week long hassle not just for the female, but you and every male dog in the neighborhood. Did you know that the seasonal heat happens twice a year?If you are not breeding your female, you’d be better off to have her spayed since during this time she can leave a bloody discharge on carpets, couches, or anywhere she goes. She will be particularly moody and emotional during this time. A walk outside during this period can become hazardous if male dogs are in the vicinity, and she will leave a “scent” for wandering intact males to follow right to your yard, where they will hang out and wait for as long as days.Research has also proven that a female not bred during a heat cycle stays in a flux of estrogen level, which may give us the reason as to why females are more moody than males.
Males generally cost less to have neutered compared to females cost to be spayed.
OVERALL RATINGS: Males – 2 votes, Females – 1 vote.
However, if you live in an apartment, female dog is preferred. Although, the females have their cons, in UAE often hot and humid climatic conditions when we tend to stay indoors, this question becomes quite relevant, especially if you live in an apartment. Female dogs are preferred in apartments, especially if you are getting a toy breed, because females will naturally squat to pee, and thus are easily trained to use the pee pads or newspaper, which comes very handy if you are not disciplined enough to take your dog for a walk or the weather conditions do not favour such walks. Male puppies will squat to pee but only until they reach puberty. Then the boys pee sideways if not trained or neutered in time, possibly staining your furniture, walls, curtains…
Conclusion: both genders have their own pluses and minuses, while females may be easier to keep in a flat, in the end, it is your choice and your experience. One rule of thumb is that females do not pair well with other females, although there are exceptions to this rule too. So if you opt for a second dog, try to select opposite gender or another male. Male and female dogs live in most harmony, female is most often the Alpha of the pair, but the male dog doesn’t really mind…
