Male vs. Female Dogs: How Are They Different?
If we’re talking dogs, everyone’s got an opinion — including when it comes to male versus female dogs. Some say male dogs are more energetic and social while female dogs are more independent and calm. While these black-and-white labels are certainly not applicable to every dog, could there be an ounce of truth in them? Let’s dig into the claims about female and male dogs, separating fact from stereotype, to help you decide which could be the best choice for you.
Male vs. female dog attributes
To start, always keep in mind that all dogs are individuals. They’re products both of their DNA and their environment and care (nature and nurture). Plus, traits like energy and affection are neither pros nor cons — it’s all simply about what’s a good fit for you and your lifestyle.
The following traits cover some potential differences between male and female dogs. But remember that these are sweeping generalizations, and your experience might differ.
Size:
One strong impact that sex has on dogs is their size. Male dogs typically weigh more than female dogs of the same breed. For larger breeds, this could be a 10- or even 20-pound difference in weight between the male and female. For smaller breeds, there might only be a few pounds of difference. If your dog is a mix of breeds, it can be hard to tell whether it is their sex or their breed that is affecting their size.
Affection:
There is a common stereotype that affection differs between male and female dogs. The claim is that male dogs are more affectionate and sociable while female dogs are more aloof and independent. While you might know a few dogs like this, ultimately it’s nothing more than a stereotype. According to research across breeds, results were mixed as to whether male or female dogs were more sociable.
Energy:
There is an assumption that male dogs have more energetic personalities while female dogs are more low-key. It’s true that unneutered male dogs have a tendency to roam to look for a female, which might make them seem more energetic (like they always want to get out and explore). However, as far as energy level goes, that comes down to the individual dog and factors like their age, health, temperament, and genetics or breed.
Lifespan:
When it comes to the sex of a dog, there is not much evidence that either a male or a female dog will live significantly longer than the other. With dog breeds, there is a general life-expectancy range, and both the female and male dogs fall into that timeline. And many other factors — including genetics, their care, and their environment — can affect a dog’s lifespan. What we do know is that spaying or neutering a dog can notably increase their lifespan.
Health:
There are key differences between female and male dogs when it comes to health, simply because certain conditions affect one and not the other due to their reproductive organs. For example, unneutered male dogs can develop testicular cancers and infections, as well as enlarged prostates, which can affect their urination and bowel movements. Unspayed female dogs can develop mammary tumors, uterine infections, and uterine or breast cancers.
Spaying or neutering a dog can help to prevent multiple health and behavioral issues — and it saves lives by reducing the number of pets who end up in shelters. To learn more, check out our page on the importance of spay/neuter.
Training:
Another assumption is that female dogs are easier to train than male dogs. While some dogs could certainly fit this stereotype, it remains unproven by science. A dog’s capacity for learning has more to do with their individual temperament, life experiences, and relationship with their trainer. When looking to train either female or male dogs, the best practices are the same: Remain consistent with your cues, prioritize predictable routines, and reward your dog often.
Care:
Over the course of a dog’s life, the care they need will vary –– and it will likely vary more on the type of dog you have rather than their sex. Male or female makes almost no difference to a dog’s care. It might be slightly more expensive to feed a bigger male dog. And because spaying is a more complex procedure compared to neutering, it can cost more. However, these are just generalizations. The basic care like vet visits, grooming, diet, and exercise is usually the same for male and female dogs.
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How to choose the right dog
As you’ve now learned, the sex of a dog has no ultimate say for how your dog will be and the kind of life they will live. So when you’re looking for a new dog, go into the process with an open mind. You might have an idea that you want either a male or a female dog — you might even have a name picked out. But try not to force it. You never know; there might be a pup at the shelter who exceeds all your expectations despite not ticking all the boxes on your wish list.
Here are a few tips for how to choose the right dog for you:
- Have a conversation with the staff at the shelter or rescue group. They’re professional dog-human matchmakers after all, and they want you (and the pup) to be happy with your match. And start your search with curiosity. If they recommend a certain dog for you whom you might otherwise not have looked at, give them a chance. If it doesn’t work out, that’s fine. If it does, congrats on your new best friend.
- If you already have a dog at home whom you want to find a friend for, be thoughtful and realistic about what kind of friend would be good for them. For example, if your dog is older, a puppy might be too energetic. Fostering can be a great way to see how your dog reacts to different types of dogs, so you can find the right match.
- If you have a busy schedule, you might want to consider adopting an older, low-key dog — one who would love nothing more than relaxing in your home while you’re running around. Not to mention many adoptable adult dogs already have some training and experience living in a home, so you won’t have to worry about putting in lots of time and effort helping them adjust to your home.
- Remember that not every dog is putting their best paw forward when you see them in a shelter. The unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells of shelters can be scary for dogs. Some timid dogs might seem disinterested in meeting you. And some dogs with higher energy levels might have a hard time reining in their exuberance. Some shelters offer a foster-to-adopt scenario, where you can take the dog home to see what they’re really like before making things official. If that’s not available, try asking the dog’s caregivers what the dog is like behind the scenes.
- Be patient if you don’t find your match right away. Depending on what you’re looking for, it can take some searching for you to cross paths with the right fit. But always remember that there are many incredible homeless pets out there just waiting to be discovered.
Male, female, brindle, spotted, scruffy, smooth — dogs are about so much more than just one characteristic. And the love between a person and their dog is completely unique. So whether you find your next marathon trainer in a male dog or couch-potato-cuddler in a female dog (or vice versa), we hope you’ll leave assumptions at the door and get to know the individual.
