Female Or Male - Which Dog is Better?

Submitted By:Kelly Marshall

Many people can’t decide which dog makes a better pet—male or female. Which one is the best? It depends on what you're looking for, for example, 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.

On another level, if you want to find out whether a male dog or a female dog would generally make an overall better pet, then you'll have to take in other factors, such as the size, temperament, and level of care.

What to Look For When Choosing A Female Dog

Usually, female dogs are relatively smaller in size and warmer in behaviors. There are, however, some male dogs that are just as kind as female dogs. Several dog trainers and breeders recommend a female dog to homes with young children. Some actually believe that there is some type of maternal instinct that exists in female dogs. This is usually described as a quality that makes them amiable and ideal for a household with children.

Never allow 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. As far as behavior, female dogs can be just as challenging as male dogs, sometimes even more of a challenge.

What to Look For When Choosing A Male Dog

Male pets are a little more difficult to care for at times than females. Reason being, they are quite good at performing 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. Between moving cars and fights with other male dogs, it makes perfect sense to also have male dogs fixed.

Most male dogs are also very protective over their property, including any of his “stuff” inside your home, his bathroom area, or even a female dog. A male dog usually become very hostile when they think that his property is being taken over by another dog and is willing to fight to defend it.

Also, male dogs also show 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.

On the other hand, male dogs have huge amounts of energy and are a lot of fun to play with. Male dogs can be more active and have more fortitude than female dogs.

This is probably the reason why male dogs are normally chosen for jobs in law enforcement.