What Are The Differences Between Owning Dogs VS Bitches?

If you are thinking of welcoming a new pet into the family, then you might be wondering whether you should get a dog or a bitch. Both of these will make wonderful pets, but there are some general differences between them that you may wish to be aware of.

Any new animal that you get will come with its own set of challenges, so it is best to be prepared for the kind of situations that could arise. Knowing the differences between owning dogs and bitches can be really helpful when it comes to preparing for their arrival.

In this article, we are going to tell you about the differences between dogs and bitches, so you can find out exactly what you are getting yourself in for. This way, nothing will be a surprise when you bring home your new addition to the family.

What Are the Differences Between Owning Dogs Vs Bitches?

Dogs and bitches vary in many different ways when it comes to their temperaments and general behaviours. It is difficult to say exactly what you can expect from owning either a dog or a bitch, as every individual dog is different, regardless of whether they are male or female. However, there are some general things that you should be aware of, which we will explain further on.

Pros and Cons for Male Dogs

Male dogs will often tend to be larger than female dogs, and they can need more assertive training. As well as this, they are typically considered to be more rounded family dogs, and they are great at adapting to a variety of different situations. 

Male dogs will usually view children as fellow playmates, rather than fragile children, and they can sometimes get boisterous during play time. However, there are some male dogs that will be very loving and protective of children at the same time.

They can even be more affectionate in general at times, and they thrive on human attention. It is unlikely for them to separate themselves from the attention that they receive. In addition to this, most male dogs behave pretty much as you would expect a child to behave. They can take a while longer to become fully mature, and they can often get distracted in training sessions. However, finding things to keep your training interesting will make things easier.

Pros and Cons for Female Dogs

Female dogs, or bitches, are typically known to be more responsive to training than male dogs, and they are often less prone to wandering off. They are also usually better at socialising with other people and dogs, though you should be careful introducing them to a male that has not been neutered. Female dogs will come into heat twice a year and will bleed throughout this time.

Many people will opt for a female dog if they have children, as they are often more protective over children and will develop a stronger bond with them. Bitches will also usually be more independent than male dogs, though they do still love lots of fuss and attention, just like any other dog.

It is thought that female dogs are easier to train than male dogs due to the fact that they are often less easily distracted. Something that you should know is that female dogs are pretty much untrainable when they are on heat, which is understandable.

Do Dogs and Bitches Have Different Temperaments? 

Dogs and bitches are known to have slightly different temperaments, which is something that you should be aware of when choosing which one you should get. We will leave some of the differences between dogs and bitches below.

Neutering and Spaying

One of the biggest differences in temperament between male and female dogs will typically be more noticeable in dogs that have not been spayed or neutered. These procedures can often mute the sex-specific traits that both dogs and bitches have, making them much less different. However, this might not always be the case.

Territorial Behaviour

It is more common for male dogs to become territorial than it is for female dogs, unless the female is in heat or has a litter of puppies. Male dogs are more likely to scent-mark in areas around the house or garden to mark their territory. 

Male dogs will also tend to guard the home and their own space more than female dogs, especially when it comes to strangers and new people. They can also become more defensive against new dogs. Though, a pregnant bitch will defend her territory and her young, and she may also display territorial behaviour towards other female dogs, especially when she is in heat.

Roaming

Dogs that have not yet been neutered will usually display more of a desire to roam around, and they are sometimes known to wander off when you are out on a walk. This behaviour is much more likely if there is a female dog in heat nearby, as male dogs will do whatever they can to get to them, even if it is not in their best interests.

Female dogs are less likely to roam or cover a larger area, and are often more content when they are closer to home. However, when they are in heat, they might be more likely to wander off to find a male to mate with.

Breeding and Sexual Nature

A dog that has not been neutered and a bitch that has not been spayed will often be motivated to reproduce, as it is in their nature. Male dogs will constantly have this urge, whereas female dogs will only be affected when they are in heat. This is one of the reasons why male dogs are more dominant, outgoing, and territorial than bitches. You might also find that your dog displays sexual behaviour with toys, furniture, and even people.

Female dogs can seem like a completely different dog when they are in heat, and they could become dependent on your company during this time. However, the opposite could be true, and they might want to stay away from you at all costs. It all depends on the individual dog and how they are feeling at the time.

Around Other Dogs

Something that is worth being aware of is that two un-neutered dogs are more likely to fight that one un-neutered dog, or a dog and a bitch. This is why many people will get one male and one female dog when they want to get two dogs, as they are easier to handle. 

If you have two male dogs and one female dog, you will need to be really careful and monitor them closely when she is in heat. You may even have to separate them to stop the male dogs from fighting over her.

The only time that you will usually find two females being aggressive with one another is if they are both in heat at the same time, as they may become territorial.

Training and Responsiveness

More often than not, neutered dogs and bitches will be the easiest to train. They are likely to be the most responsive and pay more attention when you are trying to teach them. However, dogs that have not been neutered can also be trained to a high level, it just might take a little bit more work at times. 

The biggest challenge that you will face with training is if you have a female dog in the house that is in heat. During this time, your dogs might find it more difficult to concentrate as they only have one thing on their minds. When this is the case, it might be better to hold off on training until the situation has been resolved.

Do Dogs or Bitches Have Better Personalities?

It is impossible to say whether dogs or bitches have better personalities, because it will also depend on the breed of dog that you are dealing with. There are lots of things that can shape a dog’s personality, like how they are socialised and trained, as both of these things can have a big impact on a dog’s personality. One of the most important things to remember is that every dog is different, and there is no defined personality type for any dog. You might be able to get a general idea of what you can expect your dog to be like from their breed, but this can only tell you so much. It is impossible to know what your dog’s personality will be like until you meet them.

Should I Get a Dog or Bitch?

It is completely up to you to decide whether you should get a dog or a bitch, but it is really important to make sure that you do your research before you go ahead and make a decision. You should also look at the breed characteristics for the breed of dog that you want to get. Deciding the breed is probably the trickiest part, as there are so many different things that you will need to consider.