Male vs female dogs - what's the right choice for you?

Thinking about welcoming a four-legged friend into your life? Great choice! So you’ve decided to take the leap, but you’re faced with the next dilemma - are male vs female dogs better suited to you? While soon-to-be pet parents might have a preference when it comes to adopting a male or female puppy, there’s a lot more to consider to about your new fluffy companion than just their sex. If you’re finding a local dog sitter, you’ll want to make sure your new companion is well suited to them, too. So, take a look below to learn about the key sex differences (and other key considerations) to make sure your new pooch fits like a paw-shaped glove into your pack.

Physical differences between male vs female dogs

While you’ll know that male and female dogs (by definition) have different reproductive systems, there are some other physical differences that you might want to consider. Just note that these differences may not occur in every circumstance, so meeting your potential new pooch is still the best way to decide whether they’re right for you and your pack. With that in mind, you might notice that male dogs are larger in height and weight than female dogs of the same litter and/or breed, despite the fact that many pet parents have found that female dogs reach maturity faster. So, if you love larger breeds but are slightly dreading the extra strong tug of the lead each time walkies comes around, maybe a female dog will be better suited to you. And as your new pup grows, their varied sex hormones will come into play and start to affect their behaviour in different ways. Let’s take a look at what this could mean for you…

Hormonal differences between male vs female dogs

There are various sex-related behaviors and recognizable traits that come with neutered or spayed dogs. Firstly, let’s talk about female dogs. An adult female who hasn’t been spayed (i.e. the removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the uterus, resulting in infertility), will experience their heat cycle twice a year. It’s similar to the human menstruation cycle in that the female will release a bloody discharge. Unlike the human cycle, intact female dogs will experience their cycle only twice a year, and it lasts for around 2-3 weeks depending on the dog’s breed. If you welcome a female pooch into your pack, keep her away from male dogs to avoid any unplanned pregnancies. So, if you’d rather your pooch run freely and you aren’t considering puppies, it could be worth talking to your vet about spaying.

Male dogs on the other hand can be neutered - a medical procedure that removes the testes. This will of course stop your pooch from reproducing, and will help them avoid some of the behaviors typical of intact male dogs. Neutered dogs might be less likely to display these behaviors, including marking every corner with his scent (i.e. pee), mounting objects, people and other dogs, and sometimes the urge to escape (which is a very dangerous urge for your fluffy friend!).

Health

When you’re adopting a pooch, you’re sure to think about the male or female dog pros and cons when it comes to health. And as you might expect, well-looked after pooches who’ve been consistently trained and loved from the start are happier, more well-behaved dogs. But what about those unavoidable health issues and does the sex of your dog make a difference? The simple answer is yes, but maybe not in the way you’d expect. No matter your dog’s sex, spaying or neutering (i.e. removing their vital reproductive organs) can have multiple health benefits. In some cases, spaying female dogs can prevent uterine infections and certain types of cancer, while neutering male dogs can help them to avoid testicular cancer.

So, are male or female dogs better on the health front? Well when it comes down to it, any dog can experience health issues - some common, some rare. Rather than looking at the sex of your dog, consider the health problems your chosen breed might encounter to help you make a decision.

Behavior

Which is better on the behavior front? Well if it’s male vs female dogs and not the breed we’re talking about, we’re afraid we don’t have a straight answer! As you might expect, your dog’s behavior (like humans!) has a lot to do with their upbringing. So the love, care and consistent training you give your pooch will have far more of an effect on them than their sex. In some cases, pet parents have found that pups of the opposite sex will get on better when living in a household together. So, if you’ve already got a furry family member at home, it could be worth introducing the two before deciding whether it’s better to get a male or female dog.

Appearance

Male vs female puppies are pretty hard to tell apart, which has a lot to do with the fact that they’re yet to reach maturity and puberty (when the changes really start to take place). The key difference in appearance between male vs female dogs in adulthood is their size, with male dogs mostly overtaking their female counterparts on the size front.

Your own circumstances

Now that we’ve taken a look at the male and female dog pros and cons, you’re probably realizing that the sex of your new pooch doesn’t matter too much. So, rather than wondering whether a male or female dog is a better fit for you, get to know your prospective pooch in person. Learn all you can about their upbringing, energy levels, temperament and any health problems they’re currently facing. And if you’re still wondering which dog is right for you, take a deep dive into their breed and consider whether they’d get along well with any fluffy friends you’ve already got at home.

A male or female dog - which did you choose?

If you went for the latter, you’ll be after female dog names! Take a look through our handy post that’s sure to spark a few ideas and help you name your new furry family member.