You may have heard that female dogs are more aggressive or that male dogs are more affectionate. While there are some questions looming surrounding the superiority of one sex over the other, there is no evidence supporting either claim. Whether or not your dog is affectionate, aggressive, or well behaved have more to do with your training than his sex. Nevertheless, there may be some things worth considering when shopping for a dog.

Different dog breeds bring with them different characteristics. Becoming acquainted with these differences will better help you match a dog to your lifestyle. The environment a puppy is born into will shape his behavior. Choosing the right breeder can go a long way in getting a happy and healthy puppy. Having said that, there are considerations in choosing one sex over the other.

While a dog’s intelligence depends on factors that do not include its sex, trainability may be affected by sex at a young age. Female dogs are not only smaller in size than their male counterparts but they also mature at a younger age. This makes females the easier sex to train. Male dogs, on the other hand, may be better in competitive sports where they seem to dominate. This may be in part due to size.

Whether or not you intend to breed or show your dog will affect which sex you choose. Female dogs have a ”heat” cycle twice a year which can last as much as 3 weeks each time. During this cycle, female dogs will produce a bloody vaginal secretion meant to lure dogs. She will need to be kept separated from male dogs and away from surfaces that can be stained. If allowed to breed, she will need medical attention and time to recover. She is also likely to become protective of her young and behave aggressively. If you are not planning to breed or show her, she can be spayed when she is between 6 and 9 months old. Spaying will eliminate the possibility of a pregnancy and the bloody vaginal secretion.

Similarly, male dogs have an innate desire to dominate and mark their surroundings. They are more independent but mature slower than females. Neutering your dog will produce a calming effect. If neutered before reaching puberty, territory marking may not occur. Males who are intact become restless and may roam if they sense a female in heat.

 If you already have dogs and are shopping for another dog, you have to consider how they will get along with each other. Male dogs traditionally get along better with females. Two males or two females may create problems. Male dogs may try to be dominant and female dogs may be possessive and protective.

Cost considerations include the cost of spaying or neutering. Neutering is less expensive. However, males are larger which may add up to a greater food expense. Pregnant females have additional medical bills which will increase once the puppies are born. Shows and competitions will likely require intact females and males. Males will be available all year long, whereas females will need to be kept indoors and isolated while in heat and pregnant. This amounts to financial loss.

Whatever sex you decide to go with, remember it requires a commitment on your part. Do right by your pets. Train them, care for them, and spay/neuter them if you don’t plan on breeding or showing them.