By Kelly Marshall
Which makes the better pet — a male or female dog? The easy answer is it all depends on what you’re looking for.
If you care about the personality and character of the dog more than anything else, the gender shouldn’t make a huge difference.
Your choice will be based solely on how the puppy behaves and acts towards you and other folks when you are looking at the litter not on whether it’s a male or female dog.
But for many people, the sex does matter and they have a strong preference.
To determine if you have a strong preference for either a male or female dog, consider other factors such as size, temperament and the amount of care the dog requires.
Female dog benefits
Usually, female dogs are smaller in size and warmer in behavior. There are, however, some male dogs that are just as loving as female dogs.
Several dog trainers and breeders recommend a female dog for homes with young children.
Some people think female dogs are more likely to show a maternal instinct that will make them more protective of children and therefore a better fit for a home with children.
Never allow potential feminine problems such as heat cycles and bleeding steer you away from getting a female pet. If you are apprehensive that she will bleed all over your home when that time comes, consider getting her spayed, which is the ideal thing to do anyway. Once she’s spayed, rest assured that she will not bleed a single drop.
Male dog benefits
Male dogs can be more difficult — especially if they haven’t been neutered. If the dog hasn’t been fixed, he may be likely to pull a disappearing act when a nearby female dog is in heat.
This can be quite hazardous to the dog as well as create problems for you. Several male dogs have been hurt or even killed when escaping their homes to search for a female in heat. If you have your dog neutered, that won’t be issue.
A male dog can be very protective of his property, including any of his “stuff” inside your home, his bathroom area, or even a female dog. A male dog can become hostile if he thinks that his property is being taken over by another dog and likely will be willing to fight to defend it.
Also, male dogs often perform territorial urination by lifting its leg up as high as possible while urinating. This leg-lifting act is not an issue unless it occurs inside the house.
Male dogs also tend to have more energy and can be more active and have greater endurance than a female dog. That’s one reason male dogs are more likely to be used for jobs in law enforcement.
Kelly Marshall is a featured author on Oh My Dog Supplies. For more articles by Kelly visit Oh My Dog Supplies.
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Thank you Kelly. I was concerned about some of the issues you mentioned concerning female dogs. It’s good to know spaying alleviates those issues.