Expert Reviewed

wikiHow to Choose Between Female and Male Dogs

Two Methods:Considering Characteristics of Male DogsUnderstanding Characteristics of Female DogsCommunity Q&A

There are many aspects to consider when choosing a dog. You need to take into account factors such as size, color, and breed. While there are practical considerations, such as the amount of exercise different size dogs need or the amount of food they eat, factors such as gender are more a matter of personal preference. Knowing the general characteristics of each gender can help you select a dog with confidence for years of companionship.

Considering Characteristics of Male Dogs

  1. 1
    Learn about aggression levels. There are a lot of sweeping generalizations about dog gender, some of which are only partially true. One of the most commonly-held beliefs about male dogs is that they’re more likely to chase other dogs and that they are always more aggressive than females. While there is some truth to this, neutering your dog will dramatically reduce the likelihood of these incidents.[1]
    • Male dogs are more likely to challenge other male dogs, and statistically they may be more likely to show some aggression towards humans.[2]
    • Neutering a dog eliminates most behavioral differences between male and female dogs.[3] This includes reducing or eliminating aggressive behavior towards humans, such as biting.[4]
  2. 2
    Consider the size difference. One of the most noticeable differences between male and female dogs within a single breed is the size difference. Male dogs tend (though not always) to be slightly larger, though this is most noticeable in dog breeds that tend to be larger in general.[5] Of course, the most dramatic size differences are still going to be between different dog breeds, but there is still some variance within the same breed between males and females.
    • Generally speaking, male dogs tend to be slightly larger than females.[6]
    • Male dogs are often more active and exuberant when it comes to jumping, running, and chewing. The slightly larger size of males can make them physically stronger than females and more suited to endurance, but the effect is marginal.[7]
  3. 3
    Be aware of testosterone levels. Though it’s not necessarily true that male dogs are always more aggressive than female dogs, the additional testosterone present in male dogs (especially male dogs that haven’t been neutered) can lead to more aggression when in tandem with low levels of socialization and obedience training.[8] Testosterone can also cause other behavioral problems in unneutered male dogs, and it is best to neuter your dog to prevent these problems from escalating.
    • Many unneutered male dogs engage in urine marking (including indoor marking) and attempt to leave home while they are in heat. Some dogs will also engage in inappropriate mounting on humans, other dogs, and inanimate objects due to high testosterone levels.[9]
    • Neutering a male dog typically solves most of these behavioral problems, although some neutered dogs may continue to mount other dogs in an attempt to establish social dominance.[10]
  4. 4
    Learn about potential health complications. Unaltered male dogs can additionally have health complications that do not as readily affect neutered dogs. Some of the most common of these complications include:
    • Testicular cancer - Unaltered males may develop testicular cancer in later life. However, the good news is that this is a non-aggressive form of cancer that is usually cured by surgical castration. Neutering can prevent this from occurring.[11]
    • Prostate disease - Unaltered males are prone to inflammation of the prostate gland. This can cause difficulty when urinating or passing feces. It is treatable either with castration or a hormone injection. Neutering a dog does not guarantee that he will not develop prostate cancer at some point in his life, but it does prevent the prostrate from enlarging and reduces the chance of prostate infection.[12]

Understanding Characteristics of Female Dogs

  1. 1
    Learn about territorial behavior. Female dogs sometimes exhibit territorial tendencies.[13]This is particularly true for females that are pregnant, have had puppies, or are actively ovulating.[14]
    • Territorial behavior in female dogs may extend beyond protecting puppies. Dogs that are ovulating may become possessive over toys, shoes, socks, or clothing. These household objects are often stored under a piece of furniture, and the furniture is aggressively guarded.[15]
    • Spaying the dog and encouraging social interaction with other animals will generally curb this undesirable behavior.[16]
  2. 2
    Consider the size difference. If you’re on the fence regarding whether a particular breed can grow just a tiny bit bigger than you’d prefer, it helps to know that female dogs of a certain breed tend to stand one or two inches shorter than their male counterparts. They also weigh slightly less in accordance with their smaller size.[17]
  3. 3
    Understand potential health complications. Like unneutered male dogs, un-spayed female dogs can potentially have different health complications than spayed females. Some of these complications include:
    • Mammary cancer - A breeding female that has two seasons or more stands a high risk of developing mammary cancer in later life. This varies from benign local lumps that don't spread to highly aggressive mammary tumors that can prematurely end life.[18]
    • Ovarian and uterine cancer – Not all dogs are at risk of ovarian or uterine cancer. However, some dog breeds are predisposed to these types of cancer. Having your dog spayed will eliminate all risk of ovarian and uterine cancers.[19]
    • Pyometra - The more seasons a breeding female has, the more likely she is to develop a serious infection of the lining of the womb called pyometra. Left untreated, this can cause blood poisoning, kidney failure, and death. The treatment is surgical removal of the womb, so when taking on a female dog you should consider whether you’d be able to cover the cost of emergency surgery should it be necessary.[20]
    • False pregnancies - A female dog can develop a false or phantom pregnancy after her season. This means her body prepares for giving birth to puppies despite her not being pregnant. Typical signs include milk production, mothering soft toys, lacking energy, and some dogs will even go through mock labour. There are drugs that can dry up the milk, but in the long term, spaying in the best option since false pregnancies tend to get worse with each successive heat.[21]
    • Pregnancy complications - There is always the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as difficulty giving birth, mastitis, or pregnancy toxaemia. Each of these conditions requires veterinary attention, which can be costly if an emergency caesarian is necessary.[22]

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • Will a male puppy a better choice to go with an adult female dog?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Yes. As a rule of thumb, chose the opposite gender to your existing dog, since they are more likely to get along together.
  • Are female Maltese dogs smaller than male Maltese dogs?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Yes, but only slightly.
  • Should a female have a male dog for a companion?
    wikiHow Contributor
    This is not mandatory by any means. Some female dogs get along well with male dogs, while others don't. If you do choose a male companion for your female dog, make sure at least one of them is fixed.
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    • Dog behavior is immensely complex. Traits such as aggression are the result of a complex interplay between the degree of socialization the dog received as a puppy, how well-trained the dog is, and the level of competition for high-value resources. Even a neutered dog (with low levels of sex hormones) can be aggressive if he was poorly socialized, and become fearful in situations where he cannot escape from a frightening stimulus.
    • Whether you decide on a male or female dog, you should strongly consider having the pet spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted pregnancy and dangerous health complications in your pets.

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