Choosing A Puppy - Do You Want A Male Or Female?

Some people will never get anything other than a female dog. With others, the exact opposite is true. When choosing a puppy it's basically a matter of which sex you prefer. However there are some distinct differences that you should know about. And you should also realize that spaying or neutering you pet will not make the sexes almost the same.

Of course if you don't plan on spaying or neutering, the differences will be more pronounced. Keep in mind that these differences are not hard and fast rules, but merely generalizations. Female dogs will tend to be a bit moodier. Males on the other hand have a more constant temperment. That being said, some of the male characteristics and be annoying, especially seeking out females for sex, leg-lifting, and territory marking and protection.

If your female is not spayed, you can expect her to go into heat a couple of times each year for a couple of weeks at a time. That means there may be some mess for you to deal with, and you'll also have to worry about the constant attention from males during this time. A male that is not neutered will typically be less attentive to you when around a female in heat. Unneutered males are also more likely to challenge your leadership, meaning you may need to work harder to establish yourself as the leader of the pack. Breed plays a big role here as well.

Looking at several recent studies you'll learn that young males that are not neutered are more likely to be involved in attacks on children.

Having your pet fixed will generally make things a bit more even. In other words, females are more emotionally constant and males are less likely to fight or roam. However there are still some differences.

Depending on the breed, males can actually be quite bigger than females. Sometimes weighing 20 to 30 pounds more or being 2 out 3 inches taller. Your best bet is to purchase a book like The Dog Breed Bible: Descriptions and Photos of Every Breed Recognized by the AKC that has the AKC breed standards. This will give you a good idea of the size difference you will be looking at.

Other differences however, are less easily defined. Again this can be very breed specific. In more dominant breeds like Rottweilers, females can be more eager to please and have sweeter personalities. In shy breeds like a Shetland Sheepdog, makes are typically friendlier and more outgoing. Other breeds, like the Golden Retriever for example, will display little difference.

All this means is you might be better served in focusing on the breed when choosing a puppy rather than worrying about the gender. Even the toughest male from a more submissive breed is going to be a bigger cupcake than the most mild female from a dominant breed. A reputable breeder can give you a good idea of how the sexes differ in each breed.

Here's something else to consider, your landscaping. Shrubs are in danger as males lift their legs while lawns can struggle with a squatting female. Again, this is just a general rule but by no means is it fact 100% of the time. In fact some males squat and some females will lift occasionally. But as a generalization, it's basically true.