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When choosing a puppy, you should always focus not only on external characteristics and price but also know which gender of the dog is preferable for you. Let’s consider female vs male German Shepherd and what gender would be preferable to choose.
Female vs Male German Shepherd Temperament and Personality
Female German Shepherd
For a novice dog-keeper, it is better to have a girl—a she-dog is much more docile than a male, softer, and ‘more pliable’ in training.
The she-dog’s passion for the opposite sex is limited only by the periods of estrus – 2 times a year when the dog begins to behave playfully and naughtily. During these periods (21 days each) in spring or autumn, you will have to make efforts so that your girl does not manage to escape and ‘marry’ the first male she comes across. Puppies after such an escape will have neither breed nor monetary value.
You still have to ‘hold the defense’ from those males who would like to ‘marry’ her during walks. Your girl will not help you do that during this period – she has the opposite opinion about the ‘pest-on-you’ guys curling around her, and she may not respond to your commands at all.
High fences in this case are bad deterrents – during estrus, your girl becomes very cunning and inventive. The male on the other side of the fence has the same mood.
There are also advantages – a she-dog can produce her own kind. With the right selection of a male and admission to pedigreed breeding, the puppies from your girl will cost enough to cover the expenses of mating and maintenance of the mother dog and her kids
If the girl you have chosen has not justified herself as a thoroughbred one, do a sterilization operation. This will save you and your pet from many unpleasant moments, while the she-dog will remain obedient and faithful throughout her life.
There are times when sterilizing a dog is the only way to save her life and health. Spayed females (SFs) are fully eligible to compete in the rings and receive further rewards. There are no restrictions, and they are set in the general classification. Therefore, an SF is a dog not lost for shows, sports competitions, or as a pet.
Male German Shepherd
Boys tend to be stubborn and domineering by nature. The owner may have some problems during the male’s maturation if there are gaps in early education. However, in GS boys, all pedigree characteristics are better visible because sexual dimorphism in German Shepherds is pronounced, and you can distinguish a male from a female at a glance
The male experiences sexual desire throughout his life, at any time of the year, without any breaks. If a she-dog or two is kept next to you, it is better to get a girl, since your boy will constantly experience stress from the ‘pangs of unrequited love’.
A grown-up male, smelling an estrus beauty, can refuse to eat, yearn much, behave aggressively, and ‘whistle’ all day long. He will obey badly because he will not have any other thoughts in his head than to meet and communicate closely with his chosen one.
The male dog’s habit of leaving scent marks by raising its hind leg can move from the outside inside the house, and it is unlikely to please your family.
It is possible to correct such behavior for the better if good contact is established with the dog. However, it won’t be possible to subordinate the instinct of procreation in a healthy male completely.
Many owners who have already dealt with a male prefer his company, arguing that boys have a more active attitude to life, they are more comfortable for long journeys, more enduring, more hostile to strangers, and have a more formidable appearance.
Male and Female GSD Size Comparison and Growth Stages
In general, the male GSD will be considerably larger than the female. They are also typically more slim and lanky, despite the fact that both genders are typically taller.
In general, an average male reaches 24-26 inches (61-66 cm) in height and 65-90 pounds (29-41 kg) in weight, while an average female should be 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) tall and 50-70 pounds (23-32 kg) heavy. The body of both males and females should be longer than their height.
At 6 months old, males achieve sexual maturity, while female puppies can experience heat cycles. Hormones start working, and male puppies can start marking the territory and looking for females to mate.
German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years (36 months) old. Females become adults when they are 2 years (24 months) old. However, these criteria differ for every puppy.
Training for Male vs Female German Shepherds
German Shepherds of both genders have the same level of intelligence. However, females are typically simpler to train because they reach maturity faster and are more receptive to their trainer’s cues. They are also better suited for agility contests as well as other dog sports due to their size and build. Males are also easy to train, but because they are more dominant, they need a strong leader who can keep them in line.
The male German Shepherd puppy is more often put to work guarding, watching, or protecting his family and property. Additionally, they receive training in tasks like herding, assisting the police, and acting as guides for the disabled. They will require more time to train overall, but once they are, they are very obedient.
Although girls are not as commonly used as guard or police dogs, they are still capable of performing these tasks. Consequently, the female GSD is favored for agility competitions, sporting events, and even child care.
The Lifespan of Male and Female German Shepherds
According to a study conducted by the VetCompass Programme at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), female German Shepherds tend to live longer than males. Female GSDs lived on average 1.4 years longer than male German Shepherds (11.1 years vs. 9.7 years). Although there is no way to predict the lifespan of a specific dog, this suggests that owners who value a longer-lived pet should consider purchasing a female German Shepherd Dog.
Female and Male GSD Feeding
Due to the fact that male German Shepherds are generally larger than their female counterparts, they require a greater quantity of food. It is recommended that you divide 3 to 4 cups of healthy dog food into two servings for your pet.
FAQ
Are Male or Female GSD’s More Protective?
It is widely known that male and female dogs will bark to warn their families of visitors or other dogs in the neighborhood or on the street. Others, such as your neighbors, may not appreciate the barking, although some owners believe it makes the dog a good watchdog. Male GSDs tend to be more dominant and aggressive, which could also heighten their family protection. They are more suited for protective roles and childless families. However, a female German Shepherd will also alert you of strangers and intruders by barking. According to a prominent dog psychology researcher, the German Shepherd is the second breed most likely to bark as a watchdog. With their larger size, male GSDs appear more menacing to those outside the home. Therefore, this is a more protective trait of male German Shepherds. Both sexes have intimidating barks and are athletic, large dogs – a characteristic that typically terrifies intruders.
Is It More Likely for Female or Male German Shepherds to Be Aggressive?
In the same study, RVC found that aggressive behavior was more common among male German Shepherd Dogs than females (6.75% vs. 2.78%). This assumption could benefit families with children. They might choose a female German Shepherd if all they want is a family pet. Compared to females, male German Shepherds will be more suitable for guarding roles. In addition, there is proof that spaying or neutering a dog can reduce its aggression. Nonetheless, some owners report no behavioral changes following such an operation.
Is a Male or Female German Shepherd better with kids?
Due to their maternal and less dominant nature, female GSDs typically interact better with children. And male GSDs tend to be larger and more muscular than females, making them potentially too powerful for young children. Their large personalities and aggressive nature may cause them to bully younger children. Females are more suitable for families with children.
Which is Better: Choosing a Male vs Female German Shepherd?
It is essential to take your time when deciding between a female or male German Shepherd. They are dogs that need the right kind of home environment, as well as room and your time for training. German Shepherd females typically live over a year longer than males, which may be taken into consideration when choosing between a male or female. Consider also feeding costs, aggression and protection levels, cost of training, and whether your family has young children when deciding between a male or female GSD. To have a lifelong companion, regardless of whether you choose a female or male German Shepherd, you must raise them properly.
