Deciding between a male or female pet is often an important decision for future dog owners. Of course, there are pros and cons for each, and the decision becomes a matter of preference for the future pet owner. One important point to consider is that any pet that is kept simply as a pet, and not for breeding purposes, should be spayed or neutered. In addition to population control, spaying and neutering your pets greatly decreases their chances for various types of cancers while improving certain undesirable behaviors such as territorial marking and humping. In the long run, spayed and neutered pets live longer and healthier lives.

It is important to note that while some behaviors are more prominent in one gender or the other, both males and females will exhibit the same behaviors at some point in their lives. For example, males have a greater reputation for territorial marking than females, but females will mark their territory if they feel threatened.

Choosing between a male or female dog is really just a matter of preference. Generalizations can be made about each, but like humans, every animal is different. They all have their own personalities, and while some exhibit typical behaviors, others do not. Whether you choose a male or female, training is essential for it to be a valuable part of the family. Dogs have to be taught what is expected of them, just like children. Behaviors that show dominance or aggression can be altered with training. Because dogs are pack animals, they need to know their place in the pack. Until they learn their place, they may test you or your family members to see who the leader of their pack is. Choose the animal that is right for you, but be ready to invest the time in training it to ensure a good relationship with your pet.

 

One other thing you can consider is males can be nuetered at 8 weeks of age, making them ideal as house pets, they never have the urge to mate or mark if nuetered at this young an age.