13/08/2024
Aggression with males and females in reference to fixing
Evidence suggesting that male dogs are more aggressive is consistent with the fact that aggressive behavior can be triggered by testosterone, the principal male s*x hormone. In dog-versus-dog aggression, male dogs do posture, threaten, and challenge each other more then females, though this is largely ritualized display aimed at establishing social ranking.
Female dogs threaten less frequently, but overall are more independent, stubborn, and territorial then their male counterparts. The females are actually much more intent upon exercising their dominance and while males can forgive an occasional transgression of canine protocol or a failure to recognize their status, females cannot. This explains why fights are more likely to break out between two females, and often without much advance warning these fights between females are more of a “no-holds-barred” affair then the males’ ritualistic fighting, which includes snapping at the air in front of an opponent or using inhibited bites to threaten rather then maim.
In dog aggression toward humans, which is of far greater concern, non-neutered males are more likely to be involved in biting incidents. Most human bite incidents by pet male dogs involve leadership and control issues between the dog and human. Both male and female dogs are equally likely to threaten or bite if the issue is possession of a food or a cherished object. A female is less likely to wage a dominance battle that escalates into aggression with a human, but females can be cunning and resourceful in in getting their way, and in the human mind they are often perceived as more “sneaky” then male dogs.
Whether pregnant or not, after ovulating all unaltered female dogs go through a two-month period in which their body is flooded with the same hormones that are present during pregnancy. Females may start acting in a strange manner about certain items such as tennis balls, socks, soft toys, or shoes. She might become possessive and protective of these items and snap, growl, or bite anyone who comes too near or disturbs them. Well-socialized dogs are less prone to this behavior, but just as in the case of male aggression, the only real preventive measure is early spaying/neutering.
The male hormone testosterone influences territorial urine-marking, dog-to-dog aggression, the tendency of male dogs to roam more then females (in order to stake out territory and look for a mate). Female s*x hormones, on the other hand, only affect a dog’s personality during her heat cycles, which usually occurs twice a year.
Neutering is not a cure-all. It rarely affects fear-biting, territorial aggression (the dog’s natural defensive reaction when something comes near his home), or predatory aggression (the tendency to chase things that run, and to nip or bite them).
Neutered dogs seem to pay attention more to people because they are paying less attention to s*x-related activities of other dogs. In addition, neutering a dog that is not yet an adult seems to freeze personality development at that stage, at least in terms of keeping certain puppy-like traits in place. We have to remember that the breed of dog is much more important than its s*x in determining emotional stability.
Male and female dogs tend to age differently, which affects their personalities. Most males tend to keep more of their silly, soft, puppy-like behaviors longer than females. Thus males tend to want to play games more, and remain fun-loving till the day they die. Females, however, tend to become quieter and more reserved, to dignify as they age. The truth is that both male and female dogs are good pets. Overall, preference for one s*x or the other in dogs is mostly a matter of human preference.
