Male or Female? Understanding Gender Differences in Dogs
It is said that women are from Venus and men are from Mars. But what about our dogs? Are there any advantages to one gender over the other, and does gender matter from an emotional and behavioral perspective?
Appearance features
The most striking and significant difference between females (bitches) and males (dogs) is often their size and appearance. Males are typically taller and more robustly built. They usually have broader skulls and coarser builds, exhibiting more masculine features. In terms of appearance, females are generally more slender and graceful. In the past, it was believed that female dogs were not as fast, weaker, and less enduring compared to males. However, today, nothing supports that prejudice. Despite this, females are slightly underrepresented in competitive events, but it has more to do with hormonal differences than body size.
Significant hormonal differences
Beyond the size difference, there are significant hormonal differences that stimulate different gender-related emotions and drives. Before sexual maturity and hormonal development kick in, males and females are relatively similar in many ways. However, after reaching sexual maturity, they diverge more significantly. This pattern is observed in many mammals.
Females races and the impact on their behavior
One significant difference is that sexually mature females (bitches) go into heat approximately twice a year. Hormone levels fluctuate before, during, and after estrus. For some females, these changes are quite noticeable, while others pass through their heat cycles without much ado. Just like in humans, the experience can vary greatly among individuals. However, it's common for a female's well-being, energy, and mood to be affected during this time. They may oscillate between being very affectionate and inviting to keeping their distance and wanting to be left alone. Their priorities may shift, and they might suddenly become home bound, placing great importance on food during some periods.
The hormonal cycle can make it swing
Hormones can also affect the endurance and strength of female dogs. Not to mention pseudopregnancy, with signs such as restlessness, nesting, digging on the floor, and maternal feelings towards toys or stuffed animals. Some females even produce milk, which can turn daily life upside down for everyone involved. The hormonal cycle's impact on our female dogs is a likely reason why they are slightly underrepresented in competitive events. Castration can mitigate some of these fluctuations, but it's expensive to spay a female dog compared to neutering a male. ㅤ
Females are more nurturing than males
In the wild, females typically played a significant role in caring for the young, although males were involved to some extent, especially as the offspring grew and needed to be trained for hunting and guarding. This essential difference means that females tend to be more nurturing and caring. However, this doesn't mean that males are devoid of emotions or that females are always more affectionate. Biology is never that simple, and it's essential to recognize that instincts are similar in both the dog's ancient ancestors and today's companion dogs. ㅤ
The effect of domestication on the sex ratio
In modern society, domesticated dogs don't get to express their natural behaviors as freely as they did in the past. Consequently, the gender differences aren't as pronounced as they were in the wild ancestors of dogs. Physical traits are less distinct, and the maturation process is slower due to our dogs' living environment not facilitating natural maturity. They don't leave home, mate, and raise their young like they would in the wild.
Male dogs more prone to escape
Biologists argue that certain animals adopt specific strategies to ensure the spread and survival of their genes. This might explain why males are often more prone to wandering than females. When a sexually mature female goes into heat within a few kilometers of an intact male's nose, his testosterone levels surge, and the desire to find her intensifies. Wandering is a "problem behavior" that can be relatively easily resolved through neutering if hormones are driving the behavior.
Natural competition: the difference between females and males
On the other hand, females are genetically programmed to stay in their home area, guard their territory against intruders, and invite impressive male dogs for dinner and companionship when the time is right. On their way to these social gatherings, mature males risk encountering other males, leading to natural competition for mating opportunities. Some of our pet dogs still exhibit these instincts.
Which gender is more likely to resort to aggression?
Some males take this situation seriously and challenge other males when they catch a whiff of a female in heat. Others may not care much and back off when confronted. It's not accurate to say that males are more prone to aggression. Today, researchers don't find a connection between testosterone levels and aggression in dogs.·There is some truth to males having a competitive streak, but it's entirely natural. So, if a male only directs aggression toward other males and only when females are in heat nearby, neutering can be an effective solution, though it's seldom the complete one.
Different peeing routines for females and males
Another way in which females and males differ is in their bathroom habits. Males usually take longer, sniff around, frequently lift their legs, and often prefer to mark upright objects. Walking a male dog can take more time.·Females, on the other hand, typically go out, sit down, and empty their bladders quickly. They are efficient and swift in this regard. Around the time of their heat cycle, they may engage in urine marking and want to squat multiple times during a walk, leaving a trail of attractive scents for interested males to follow.
Racial variation affects even more
In the past, it was believed that males had a stronger guarding instinct than females, patrolling, marking, and defending their territory. In their most natural state, this holds true to some extent. In the wild, mother dogs and nursing females stay near the den, while the larger males and a few strong females watch over and drive away intruders. This applies during whelping and when raising the young, not year-round. Today, our domesticated pet dogs come in over 300 different forms (approved breeds and breed variations), and their natural behaviors have been to some extent bred out of them. In today's world, a dog's guarding instinct is influenced more by the original purpose of its breed than its gender.
Some bitches are more masculine
Fascinating research shows that females positioned between two males in their mother's womb tend to exhibit more masculine behaviors than other females. This phenomenon, called prenatal androgenization, can occur when testosterone travels between fetal sacs, influencing adjacent fetuses. It means that there will always be more androgynous dogs that defy traditional gender norms. For example, females that lift their leg when urinating. So, it's not as black and white as one might initially think.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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