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When considering adopting a dog, you tend to think about which gender of dog you should choose, male or female. After all, they will become part of your family, and too much aggression can sometimes be dangerous to the family’s well-being.
When it comes to dogs and their gender, female dogs are often the second choice because there are some rumors about female dogs that they are more aggressive than male dogs.
This is the most common misconception people have about female dogs, as they are generally not aggressive, and if they are, it is for a reason.
At some point, male dogs will not show aggression, but female dogs will, and the cause may be hormonal or environmental factors.
In this article, we will discuss in depth female dog aggression, common beliefs about female dog aggression, and tips on how to manage and reduce dog aggression.
Are female dogs more aggressive?
Generally speaking, female dogs will not show strong aggression for no reason. Every dog is different; some dogs inherit their temperament from their parents, and some are born of mixed breed.
A female dog may appear aggressive when she is giving birth or close to giving birth. Other similar hormonal changes and occurrences can also cause aggression in female dogs, but these are normal and will not last long.
Aggression in female dogs may be due to fertility issues. They may show aggression during labor or pregnancy, which is simply a natural instinct to protect the unborn or newborn.
They may also be aggressive toward anyone who goes to where they rest or where their newborn pups play or sleep.
Generally speaking, aggression in female and male dogs is more or less the same. If you bring a puppy home, it’s important to train them well and interact positively with them; when they get their anger under control when they’re young, they’ll become positive and more social.
Common beliefs about female dog aggression
Female dogs are believed to be more aggressive even under normal circumstances and during the day.
It is said that the aggression of female dogs makes them difficult to train and manage, but this is not the case. Dogs of both sexes can be equally aggressive when young, and proper training is important to keep them calm and socialized.
Dog aggression also depends on their environment and their personality and temperament, which are often inherited.
If you expect your dog to never show aggression, that’s not possible because every dog, male or female, will show some signs of aggression because it’s one of their ways of communicating.
People think female dogs are aggressive for no reason, but this is not the case. They often become aggressive when they are scared, anxious, in pain, or angry about something. They try to express their discomfort in non-aggressive ways, but when you fail to understand the signs, they become aggressive.
Many people believe that an aggressive female dog will always act rough and may not be safe for the family, but this is not the case.
They’re aggressive because they have concerns; it’s not something sudden. You need to find the cause of their aggressive behavior and fix it. This will calm them down and ensure good, polite behavior.
Hormonal and physiological aspects of female dogs
Female dogs go through a series of hormonal and physiological changes throughout their lives. These changes often lead to discrimination during the adoption process, as many believe the hormonal and physical changes in the female dog require too much care and attention.
One change that is often talked about is the reproductive changes in female dogs. Mostly like humans, it has stages in early childhood and then undergoes phase changes at sexual maturity, leading to estrous cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.
- Puppy period: When female dogs are very young puppies, they are just like other male puppies because their reproductive awareness has not yet developed. During this stage, the body does not produce the hormones needed for reproduction.
- Sexual maturity: When a female dog reaches sexual maturity, her body begins to produce the hormones needed for reproduction. Female dogs enter sexual maturity around 6 months of age; during this time, they enter the estrus cycle, or estrus cycle.
- Estrus cycle: The estrous cycle is a recurring event in the life of a sexually mature female dog.
- Pregnant: If a female mates during estrus and fertilization, she will experience a Pregnancy lasts approximately 63 days.
- Young dragon: Littering is the process of giving birth to a female dog.This process may last from 30 minutes to 2 days, depending on number of pups she is giving birth to arrive. Hormones like oxytocin play a vital role in uterine contractions during labor.
- Lactation period: Like humans, female dogs have the ability to produce milk for their puppies, which is called lactation. Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates milk production.
- Menopause: Unlike humans, dogs do not go through permanent menopause. However, as you age, the frequency and regularity of your estrous cycles may decrease. Older female dogs may have irregular or less frequent estrous cycles.
It’s important for pet owners to understand their needs and accept their hormonal changes. You can visit your veterinarian and seek advice on how to care for your female dog during her different hormonal stages.
Hormonal and physiological aspects of male dogs
Male dogs, much like female dogs, experience different hormonal changes throughout their lives. The main changes they undergo are reproductive and overall development.
Let’s look at the different stages of their hormonal and physiological changes.
- Puppy period: When they are puppies, they do not have any active hormones that are critical for reproduction.
- Sexual maturity: Similar to their female companions, male dogs reach sexual maturity between six and twelve months of age, depending on breed and size.
During this time, the dog begins to produce the hormones needed for reproduction. They begin to produce large amounts of sex hormones, primarily testosterone. - Testosterone produces: Testosterone is the main male sex hormone. It plays a vital role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics, including testicular growth, penis enlargement, and the development of male behavior.
- Sperm production: Once sexually mature, male dogs begin to produce sperm. Unlike some other mammals, sperm production is continuous, meaning males can theoretically reproduce throughout their lives.
- Erection and ejaculation: Male dogs are capable of erecting and ejaculating when sexually stimulated or excited. This is a physiological response controlled by hormones.
- Reproductive behavior: Male dogs may display breeding behaviors such as mounting, marking territory with urine, and increased interest in females in heat (heat). These behaviors are driven by hormonal changes.
- Neutering (castration): Sterilization is a surgical procedure to remove the testicles, which causes a decrease in testosterone production. The procedure may have a variety of effects, including reducing reproductive behavior, reducing aggression in some cases, and preventing unwanted pregnancies.
- Ageing: As male dogs age, their hormonal production may change. Testosterone levels may drop, causing sexual activity to be less pronounced. However, unlike females, male dogs do not go through a definite “menopause” because they can theoretically reproduce throughout their lives.
What does science say?
There is no conclusive scientific evidence that female dogs are more aggressive than male dogs. Aggression in dogs of both sexes is a reaction to many things.
Dogs exhibit aggression for a variety of reasons; it may be genetic or they may be in pain and aggression is their way of communicating. It applies to both genders.
Dogs often display aggression when they are not properly trained or trained properly at a young age. socialized.
However, during calving or other reproductive hormone changes, female dogs can become more alert and sometimes aggressive. When they give birth to their babies, they become very protective of their pups and may become aggressive during this time, unlike male dogs, which do not experience these things.
How to manage and reduce dog aggression?
The first step in controlling and reducing dog aggression is to understand the root cause behind this aggression. This will make your job easier and help you determine your next steps.
You can seek professional help to understand and control your dog’s aggression. There are steps you can take to effectively control your dog’s aggression.
1. Go to the vet
Your dog may be in pain or suffering from some medical problem that triggers dog aggression.Your situation is never unexpected Dog becomes aggressive.
Your veterinarian will examine your dog and let you know if there are any underlying issues that are causing them to react aggressively. If there are any such concerns, your veterinarian can help your dog by providing medications that will help them calm down and improve their behavior.
2. Hire professionals
If your dog does not have any health issues or illnesses, your veterinarian will recommend that you seek professional help to better understand this behavior.
If you continue to find solutions on your own, it can be difficult. A professional or animal behavior expert can tell you the actual problem and possibly suggest a solution to the problem.
You can find professionals, dog trainers, or animal behavior experts online, or ask your veterinarian to recommend one for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
answer: Although there is no conclusive evidence that female dogs are more aggressive than male dogs. Generally speaking, dogs will exhibit aggression regardless of their gender.
answer: Research shows that dogs of the opposite sex get along more easily and do better socially and emotionally, as dogs of the same sex may sometimes be aggressive toward each other because dominance can be an issue.
answer: One of the reasons why a female dog is aggressive may be because she is feeling some kind of pain. Have your dog checked by your veterinarian to determine if there are any health issues that are causing your dog to be aggressive and rude.
in conclusion
There are some misconceptions about female dogs. One of the misconceptions is that female dogs are more aggressive than male dogs, but this cannot be proven. Dogs are naturally aggressive, regardless of gender. Hyperaggression can be treated by understanding the underlying causes.
Female dogs will go through some hormonal changes that make them a little vulnerable and aggressive, but this is not permanent and can be controlled through a positive environment.
Dr. Lillian is a DVM with a passion for raising awareness about dogs. She shares her expertise through her blog at canineweekly.com and provides animal care services, including internal medicine, dermatology and urgent care. Dr. Lillian is committed to animal welfare.