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Getting a new dog is always exciting, but when it comes to picking one out, you do have some tricky decisions to make. If you're on the fence about whether to get a male dog or a female dog, try not to worry too much -- most experts agree that both sexes can make great companions, and breed, temperament, and training tend to matter more than anything else. That said, there are definitely some considerations that might help you decide.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Choosing a Male Dog

Try a male dog if you're hoping for a high-spirited, energetic pet. Although most veterinarians do believe that training and individual personality are much more important than sex, some pet owners say that male dogs tend to be more active, especially if they aren't neutered.
- Keep in mind, though, that a non-neutered male dog may also be more difficult to control -- he may try to dominate both smaller dogs and the humans he interacts with. And, if you do plan to neuter your dog, any difference between male and female dogs will likely disappear.^[1]
Consider a male dog if you want a more sociable, affectionate pet. Again, this is an area where breed and individual temperament are far more important than sex. There are no studies that definitively show that male dogs are more affectionate, but some people do believe this is true.^[2]
- Male dogs tend to bond with one person more strongly than they would with a group of people.^[3]
Go with a male if you want a bigger dog. In general, male dogs tend to be a bit bigger than their female counterparts of the same breed. This is especially true for larger breeds like golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, and German shepherds.^[4]
- For smaller breeds, the difference might be much less noticeable (or even nonexistent). Male and female dogs of the smallest breeds, like chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Brussels Griffons, are basically the same size.
Train and socialize your male dog so it's happy and well-behaved. All dogs, both male and female, need to be trained and socialized at a young age so they don't develop behavioral problems down the road.^[5] If you're getting a puppy, you can start training it when it's around 8 weeks old.^[6] You should also socialize your puppy during the first 3 months of its life by exposing it to different people, dogs, and environments. This will help it grow into a confident older dog that's less likely to have behavioral problems.^[7]
- It's a myth that old dogs can't learn new tricks. If you're getting an adult male dog, you can still teach it new commands -- it might just take a little extra patience.
Neuter your male dog to avoid behavior issues. Male dogs that haven't been neutered can sometimes be more aggressive than female dogs.^[8] They also start urine marking and mounting things around 6 to 9 months of age.^[9] Luckily, neutering your male dog can help reduce and sometimes eliminate these bad behaviors.
- Not all unneutered male dogs are aggressive. It also depends on the dog's temperament and how well it was socialized as a puppy. However, the testosterone in unneutered male dogs does make them more likely to be aggressive.
Take your male dog to the vet for annual checkups to keep it healthy. Take your dog to the vet's office once per year so your vet can do a physical exam and blood work to make sure your furry friend is in tip-top shape. If you're getting a puppy, prepare to take it to the vet more frequently during its first year since it will need routine vaccinations and extra checkups.^[10]
- Male dogs are prone to certain health issues that don't affect female dogs, like testicular cancer and prostate disease. Fortunately, neutering your male dog can help reduce its risk of developing these issues later on in life.^[11]

[Edit]Choosing a Female Dog

Choose a female dog if you want your puppy to reach maturity more quickly. Female puppies do tend to mature faster than male puppies, which means that most female puppies are actually easier to train than male puppies of the same age.^[12]
- When it comes to training, the differences between male and female dogs typically disappear, so this may not be a consideration for you if you aren't choosing a puppy.
Try a female dog if you're hoping for a protective pet. Some people have found that female dogs are more protective of their owners, but the evidence for this is just anecdotal. A dog's training and temperament probably have more of an impact on how protective it is than its sex.^[13]
- Some pet owners believe this difference is especially important if there are children in your home, since they think female dogs are more likely to protect them. Research doesn't confirm this, but it's a possibility to consider.
- Some people consider female dogs to be more family-oriented than male dogs.^[14]
Opt for a female if you're hoping for a more independent dog. Some dog owners claim that female dogs are more independent than male dogs, which can make them feel like lower-maintenance pets. This has not been confirmed by research, though.
Go with a female dog if you want a smaller dog in that breed. Female dogs are usually smaller than male dogs of the same breed. They tend to stand shorter and weigh a little bit less. If you're on the fence about a particular breed because of how big it can get, you might want to go with a female dog to play it safe.^[15]
- These differences are minimal in smaller breeds, but size could certainly be a valid consideration for larger breeds.
Socialize and train your female dog so it's confident and well-behaved. Proper training and socializing can really impact how your dog behaves and interacts with the world. If you're getting a puppy, you can start teaching it basic commands at 8 weeks old.^[16] You should also expose your puppy to different people, dogs, and environments during the first 3 months of its life so it's more comfortable around those things when it gets older.^[17]
Spay your female dog to avoid unwanted pregnancies and territorial behavior. At around 6 to 9 months of age, unspayed female dogs will start going into heat twice a year. During this time, they're anxious to mate with other dogs, and they need to be kept away from male dogs so they don't get pregnant.^[18] Also, female dogs that are pregnant, ovulating, or caring for puppies can be territorial toward people and other dogs.^[19] Fortunately, all of these things can be avoided if you have your female dog spayed by a vet.
- A territorial dog might become possessive over toys, shoes, socks, clothing, or other random things lying around your house.
- Spaying a female dog generally costs more than neutering a male dog. Spaying can cost around $50 to $175.^[20]
Bring your female dog to the vet once a year to keep it healthy and happy. During your dog's annual check-up, the vet will perform a physical exam and a blood test to make sure your dog is healthy. If you're getting a puppy, plan on bringing it to the vet multiple times during the first year for routine vaccinations and checkups.^[21]
- Unspayed female dogs are more likely to develop certain health problems, like mammary, uterine, or ovarian cancer.^[22] They're also at risk of complications related to breeding and pregnancy, like pyometra (an infection of the womb), false pregnancy, and mastitis (inflammation of the mammary glands).^[23]

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[Edit]Tips

Male and female dogs have their differences, but there's no rule about which sex is best. A dog's breed, temperament, training, and history will have a bigger impact on how compatible it is with you than its sex.^[24]
If you already have a dog, you may want to choose a dog of the opposite sex. Two males or two females may have a harder time getting along with each other, although this isn't always the case.