Does it really matter whether you get a male or female when choosing a dog for your family? Some people prefer males, in part, because they represent the dominant sex.

For other pet owners, the female might be seen as being more ‘cooperative’ and easier to train. Many pet owners believe sex is unimportant.

To a large extent, choosing a dog is based on personal preference but what you might not know is that there are differences worth considering.

The general consensus is that females are much easier to get along with than males. They tend to be more affectionate and gentler than the opposite sex. This makes females the better choice where children are involved.

Females have the added benefit of being excellent guard dogs. They will defend their pack and can adopt the attitude that children are their own and must be protected.

Males, on the other hand, are far more dominant simply because it’s their ‘job’ to fight to ensure the survival of their species. Underdogs are driven off, leaving only the strongest to breed.

This makes males more prone to dog fights and will tend to dominate children. This doesn’t mean that males cannot make great companions for children, but you will need a firmer hand when training them.

Other Considerations When Choosing a Dog

Housetrained male dogs can sometimes instinctively urinate indoors to mark his territory and show his dominance. Males will try to escape, especially if a female is in the area and in heat.

Females prefer to let the males find them and therefore are more likely to remain at home. Possibly the best cure for these male problems is to have the dog neutered.

Although a female has some great benefits, the main problem is her heat cycles. Unless she is spayed, there is always the possibility that she could become pregnant with unwanted puppies.

The heat season, which occurs twice a year for about 3 weeks each, is the one time females are most likely to try to escape as she goes in search of a mate.

Then, there is the bloody discharge that can be troublesome for pet owners. At this time, you will need to keep her on a tiled floor or an old blanket so you can clean up after her easily.

Spaying and Neutering Offers Several Benefits

Obviously, they prevent the production of unwanted puppies, but they also have a serious impact on the dog’s behavior by eliminating the production of sex hormones that lead to instinctive behavior such as running away.

Females no longer go into heat, which means less cleanup and bother for you. Males lose some of their aggressiveness towards other males and in many cases, will no longer resort to urine marking indoors. Neutering is best done prior to the dog’s first sexual experience.

When choosing a dog, keep these things in mind and determine if you are ready to deal with the specific problems related to the sex of your choice.