A major decision hinges on the sex of the family dog-to-be, whether a purebred or a mongrel, and irrespective of its age, appearance and probable temperament. Although the term dog is usually taken to describe an animal of either sex, in biological terms dog is synonymous with male, bitch with female.
Dogs are interested in the opposite sex most of the time; bitches have certain periods usually at six-monthly intervals, when they are on the look out for a mate. These periods when the bitch is said to be 'on heat' or 'in season' explain the most important difference between the two sexes and the sort of temperament they are likely to exhibit. Obviously male dogs are not permanently aroused, but they are more likely to have a roaming instinct.
May be more aggressive and possibly slightly more difficult to persuade to concentrate on basic training. Packs of dogs could formerly be seen meandering through city streets on the chance of finding a welcoming bitch; this is now a rare sight, but gangs of uncontrolled dogs can still be a menace, especially in city centers. The majority of these packs are males and while the individual is often a reasonably well-behaved animal, he may act like a hooligan in company with others of his ilk. Most bitches tend to have a gentler temperament; they are more con tent to stay close to home, and are generally easier to train.
These characteristics are generalizations and apply more to breeds which display natural dominance; in small and submissive breeds, including many of the Toys, there is hardly any temperament difference between the sexes.
Dogs are interested in the opposite sex most of the time; bitches have certain periods usually at six-monthly intervals, when they are on the look out for a mate. These periods when the bitch is said to be 'on heat' or 'in season' explain the most important difference between the two sexes and the sort of temperament they are likely to exhibit. Obviously male dogs are not permanently aroused, but they are more likely to have a roaming instinct.
May be more aggressive and possibly slightly more difficult to persuade to concentrate on basic training. Packs of dogs could formerly be seen meandering through city streets on the chance of finding a welcoming bitch; this is now a rare sight, but gangs of uncontrolled dogs can still be a menace, especially in city centers. The majority of these packs are males and while the individual is often a reasonably well-behaved animal, he may act like a hooligan in company with others of his ilk. Most bitches tend to have a gentler temperament; they are more con tent to stay close to home, and are generally easier to train.
These characteristics are generalizations and apply more to breeds which display natural dominance; in small and submissive breeds, including many of the Toys, there is hardly any temperament difference between the sexes.
