|
Many people believe that female dogs make better
pets and female preference seems
to be ingrained in these people. Most calls for
puppies have people wanting that
'sweet lil girl'. They don't think
females display alpha behaviors like 'marking' and/or
'humping' and believe that they are more
docile and attentive and do not participate
in fighting over dominance.
Well folks, this is not true and they don't call
them a 'bitch' for nothing!
In the dog pack makeup, females usually rule the roost, determine
pecking order,
and compete to maintain and/or alter that
order. The females are, as a result,
more independent, stubborn, and territorial than
their male counterparts. The
females are much more intent upon exercising their
dominance by participating
in alpha behaviors such as 'humping'. There is a
reason people utilize the technical
dog term of 'bitch' in a negative way-and it refers
directly to the behaviors exhibited
by the females of the dog world. Most fights
will usually break out between 2 females.
Males, on the other hand, are usually more
affectionate, exuberant, attentive, and more
demanding of attention. They are very attached to
their people. They also tend to be
more steadfast, reliable, and less moody. They are
more outgoing, more accepting
of other pets, and take quicker to children. Most
boys are easily motivated by
food and praise, and so eager to
please that training is easier. However,
males can be more easily distracted during
training, as males like to play so often.
And no matter what age, he is more likely to act
silly and more puppy-like, always
wanting to play games. Boys are fun-loving until
the day they die. Females tend to
be more reserved or dignified as they age. Witness
the human equivalent of the
twinkling eyed Grandpa still playing catch at age
70, while Grandma quietly observes
from the porch.
Neutered males rarely exhibit secondary sexual behavior such as
'humping',
or 'marking' and lifting of legs. Once the
testosterone levels recede after neutering,
most of these behaviors (if they ever existed) will
disappear. Boys who were neutered
early (by 5 months of age) usually don't ever raise
their leg to urinate.
While the female will usually come to you for attention, when she's
had enough,
she will move away. While boys are always waiting
for your attention and near at
hand. Females are usually less distracted
during training, as she is more eager to
get it over with, and get back to her comfy spot on
the couch. The female is less likely
to wage a dominance battle with YOU, but she can be
cunning and resourceful in
getting her own way. She is much more prone to mood
swings. One day she may
be sweet and affectionate-the next day reserved and
withdrawn or even grumpy.
The female also has periods of being 'in heat'
unless she is spayed.
Seasonal heats can be a three week long hassle not just for the
female, but you
and every male dog in the neighborhood. Did we
mention that the seasonal heats
happen TWICE a year?
If you are not breeding, you'd be best off to have her spayed since
during this
time she can leave a bloody discharge on carpets,
couches, or anywhere she goes.
She will be particularly moody and emotional during
this time. A walk outside during
this period can become hazardous if male dogs are
in the vicinity, and she will leave
a 'scent' for wandering intact males to follow
right to your yard, where they will hang
out, and 'wait' for days.
Research has also proven that a female NOT bred during a heat cycle
stays in
a flux of estrogen level which may give us the
reason as to why females are more
moody than males.
Males generally cost 1/2 the price to have neutered as a female does
to be spayed. |
