Should You Get a Male or Female Dog?

Do male dogs or female dogs make better pets? This question seems like an important one to ask, especially if it’s your first time looking for a pup. Ask any dog owner, though, and the answer varies widely based on their personal experience. While gender doesn’t automatically make male or female dogs better or worse, there are a few characteristics of each that you should be aware of ahead of time.

Differences Between Male and Female Dogs

Here are some of the male and female dog pros and cons to help you determine which is the right fit for you.

Personality

Are male dogs more affectionate than female dogs? Many dog owners say yes. Male dogs often crave human attention, looking for opportunities to cuddle and play all day long. Females are frequently more independent and relaxed — not as demanding of attention. However, females love a good cuddle as much as the next dog.

Behavioral Issues

Male dogs, especially young pups, tend to struggle with behavioral issues like barking, aggression and chewing. However, they can be trained.

Female dogs may not display as much aggression as their male counterparts. Yet, some tend to be overly nervous or high strung.

Housetraining

Females are surprisingly easy to housetrain and can often hold their bladders for longer periods of time. While males can definitely be housetrained, they also tend to mark their territory.

Behavior With Kids

Whether or not your dog is good with kids often depends more on the breed and training than the gender. Some people believe females are better with children because of their protective, maternal instincts. While male dogs don’t have much of a parental nature, they can be every bit as loving and protective of kids.

Behavior With Other Dogs

Female dogs are less territorial than males, which tends to make them better at socializing. If you have a male dog and you get another male, you may be in for a few battles. However, even females may not be pleased about sharing their space with another dog.

Training

Male dogs often have one of two main roadblocks when it comes to training. Some show a generally rebellious attitude, while others are easily distracted. Males tend to need more robust, assertive training than females. Yet, once trained, they are usually good to go.

Female dogs are less easily distracted and thus often considered easier to train. However, during their heat cycle, they tend to be almost untrainable.

Heat Cycles

A female dog’s heat cycle occurs twice a year and can last up to 14 days. During this time, you’ll have to deal with cleanup, moodiness and potentially a few behavior issues.

While males do not go through heat cycles, keep in mind that you can never anticipate when they might want to mate. Some owners may consider this factor a disadvantage.

Find the Right Golden Retriever for Your Family

There’s no hard and fast data that predicts the personality of a particular dog. Whether you choose a male or female pup, you’ll find a loyal, loving friend who is bound to bring you endless joy.

Golden Meadows Retrievers has been breeding lovely golden retrievers for over 25 years. We get to know our puppies so that we can match you with your perfect pup. When you come to us, we choose your dog based on your family, your lifestyle and the activities you enjoy. We can help you decide whether a male or female dog is the right choice for you.

Contact us today to learn more or fill out our puppy info request form so we can help you find your perfect canine companion.