Male or Female

The two sexes differ in looks and temperament. As with most mammals, male dogs are bigger and more muscular than females.

They are typically more active, demand more play time, and leave more urine marks where they walk than females. Males are naturally, more aggressive with other dogs, likely to be more destructive, and have a greater inclination to wander.

Untrained, they have a slightly greater risk of snapping at strangers.
Female dogs demand and give more affection and are more companionable than males.

They are more willing to learn obedience (although no faster than males at learning) and are easier to house train. These are typical sex characteristics, but it is very likely that your family dog, whether male or female, will be neutered.

Neutering diminishes the sex differences. Spaying a bitch eliminates the behavior changes and social inconvenience of twice-yearly heat cycles. Medically speaking, spaying is life-enhancing.

Spayed bitches live an average of one year longer than unspayed ones. Castrating a male dog reduces urine marking, wandering, and aggression toward other male dogs, but does not prolong life expectancy as in bitches.