Male dogs and female dogs have different characteristics as pets. Which canine gender is right for you?

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Male dogs tend to be more emotionally stable, less prone to mood swings. They can also be tougher and more aggressive than females, though many males are big goofy softies.

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Female dogs tend to be more prone to emotional theatrics, more opinionated and "out of sorts" when things make them uncomfortable or don't go their way. But they are also very happy, sweet, and gentle when their world is going well.

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Neutered males and spayed females typically have different behaviors than unneutered dogs -- and these different behaviors are largely positive!

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Male Dogs versus Female Dogs: Which Canine Gender Makes a Better Pet?

By Michele Welton. Copyright © 2000-2010

Let's look at male dogs first

Male dogs are also called BOYS or DOGS. Strangely enough, official canine terminology reserves the word "dogs" for males only. But I use it for both sexes, and you can, too.

Speaking very generally about male dogs...

Male dogs tend to be more stable in mood than female dogs -- less prone to emotional swings.

Many male dogs are bolder and more aggressive than females, but many other males are described as "goofy" and "klutzy" and "big softies" and "good ol' boys".

Male dogs have genitals that are easy to see. When you roll them over to rub their belly, there's "something" in the way, and some owners feel self-conscious about that. Male dogs may also become aroused and/or lick their private parts, and again, some owners find this embarrassing, especially when Grandma happens to be visiting.

A male dog is either unneutered (intact) or neutered (castrated or de-sexed. Most people in the United States don't use these latter two words, probably because they sound so graphic!). Neutering means surgically removing the testicles from the scrotum so the dog can't breed.

There are many more things you need to know about male dogs, but.....

Right now let's look at female dogs

Female dogs are also called GIRLS or (wait for it!) BITCHES. Now don't cringe! It really is the official canine term for a female dog, but of course you don't have to use it if you don't want to.

Speaking very generally about female dogs...

Female dogs are more prone to mood swings and emotional theatrics. Female dogs can be very sweet and loving when they're happy -- but grumpy if something isn't to their liking. (This is a hormonal reaction, rather than a deliberate choice!)

Female dogs are experts at The Dirty Look and The Sulk.

Female dogs are less likely than males to be openly defiant or to engage in blunt power struggles with you -- but they are opinionated and can be manipulative or passively resistant.

Female dogs are affectionate, but often it's on their own terms. They may request petting, then assert their independence by walking away when they feel like it.

Female dogs squat to urinate, so they pee more neatly and unobtrusively than male dogs.

A female is either unneutered (intact) or neutered (spayed). Spaying means surgically removing the uterus and ovaries so the female can't have heat periods or become pregnant.

There are MANY more differences between male and female dogs that you should know about before you choose one or the other. There are also big differences between neutered and unneutered males and females that you need to know.

Everything you need to know about male dogs and female dogs

"Read this book BEFORE you get a dog. Don't make the mistakes other puppy buyers have made, or you might end up with an unhealthy, bad-tempered pet."

How To Buy a Good Dog includes. . . . . . a detailed comparison of male and female dogs, the many ways in which neutered and unneutered dogs are different, and how you should choose which gender is best for you. Plus, How To Buy a Good Dog . . . Helps you sort out what kind of dog to get -- the pros and cons of purebred dogs, crossbred dogs, and mixed breed dogs. Helps you choose the right breed based on 17 key characteristics Compares young puppies, older puppies, adolescent dogs, adult dogs Compares animal shelters, rescue groups, performance breeders, show breeders, pet breeders, pet shops, and owners giving their dogs away Explains what makes a source good, and what makes a source risky, so you'll quickly be able to tell good sources from bad ones. Tells you the exact questions you should ask each potential source, what answers you should expect, and which answers are "red flags" that mean you should stay away Shows you how to evaluate the temperament of puppies and adult dogs to see whether they will make a good pet Learn more about How To Buy a Good Dog