Should You Get A Male or Female Chihuahua?

If you are thinking of adopting a Chihuahua one of the questions you should ask yourself is; should I get a male or female dog? There are a few things to consider before deciding.

Many people that I’ve talked to think that as a general rule, female dogs are easier to train and are more affectionate while the popular belief about males is that they are more aggressive and destructive. Is that true? As a general rule, either gender can have one or more of each of those characteristics.

Let’s Talk About Chihuahuas Specifically

Some of the following may apply to all breeds of dogs, but Chihuahuas are very loyal and protective little dogs no matter their gender. So, with that in mind, let’s consider which gender of Chihuahua is right for you.

Housetraining

Males: Many believe that males are more difficult to housetrain. This belief stems from a male dog’s behavior called “marking”. The male will “mark” on just about anything he comes across — whether indoors or out — by urinating on it to signal to other dogs that this is his territory.

This behavior happens when a male dog is not neutered. Note, however, that some neutered males will still “mark”, but it is not common. Veterinarians believe that if a male dog is neutered before he begins to lift his leg, chances are he will never “mark” his territory. Some male dogs, however, will continue to “mark” all their lives, regardless.

In reality, if a male is neutered it is moderately easy to housetrain a male dog as long as you use positive and consistent training. GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK “HOW TO HOUSETRAIN A CHIHUAHUA”

Females: Some females will also “mark” their territory, but this is not common. However, as a general rule, it is also moderately easy to housetrain a female Chihuahua using positive and consistent training.

Temperament

Males: Males are calm, quiet and easy-going. They are content to be anywhere you put them and are unlikely to become aggressive as long as they are properly socialized and are neutered. It’s also important to continue socializing them throughout their lives to prevent aggressive behavior.

Females: Females have a tendency to bark more than male dogs do. This behavior stems from a born instinct to protect their young. In the wild, it was the female that used vocalization to scare away any intruders. Sometimes females tend to assume the dominant role in the household regardless of other pets or their gender. This behavior, however, can be corrected with positive and consistent training. Once this behavior has begun, however, it can be difficult to correct than with males.

Personality

Males and females are both playful and comical, and each dog whether male or female has their own personality.

Obedience

Males tend to learn commands quickly and easily with positive and consistent training. They are very eager to please. Once a command is learned they are usually obedient every time.

Females often are more difficult to train to obey. It can take more consistent training on the part of the trainer. Some females have even been noted to behave as though they refuse to obey a command. Once a command is learned they may not always obey.

Need for Attention

Males love attention from all people if they are properly socialized throughout their lives. They love attention and to be petted by their owner, but are usually content to lie by your side while you read or watch TV (Chico loves to watch dogs and horses on TV).

Females also love attention from all people if they are properly socialized throughout their lives. They love attention and to be petted by their owner. They, however, may be more demanding of attention than their male counterparts.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, which is better? Male or female? Bottom line is, it is your decision to make and that decision may be based on many other things then was mentioned here, such as your past experience with each gender.

Females make wonderful pets just as males do, but as a general rule, males may be easier and make better family pets. Undoubtedly you have your own opinion, and these guidelines from Chihuahua breeders and other experts are only general guidelines. There is always an exception to the rule.

Examples

Let me give you an example of my three amigos, one male, and two females. They all three were easy to housetrain and all three are wonderful pets that we love with all our hearts!

Chico is a male black and white chihuahua. He is now 15 and has “mellowed out” a lot. Chico has always been easy to train, eager to please and well behaved. He has also always been very protective and will growl, snarl, and show his teeth if anyone gets too close to me. I have to admit here, though, that I did not spend enough time training him to correct this behavior early on.

Hey, I’m only human, like you and was a very busy working girl then. If I had invested more time making corrections, I know it could have been corrected. We got Pebbles when Chico was three years old and he and Pebbles have always gotten along and have been great pals all their lives.

Pebbles is a female fawn and white, now 12 years old. She has always had such a sweet, easy-going personality and everyone, friends and stranger alike just love her. She has always been very shy and has never growled at anyone in her whole life (her growls sound like tiny little stomach rumbles, they wouldn’t scare anyone, anyway!).

When a stranger comes around, she will hide behind me until she gets to know that person. Pebbles also is very stubborn when it comes to training. She was definitely more difficult to train to obey commands and to this day will flatly refuse to obey if she is not in the mood.

Remedy Jane is our “baby” at only three years old. She is a blue merle Chihuahua and larger than either Chico or Pebbles. She immediately took over as the “dominate” one of our household when she came to us.

She will squabble with both Chico and Pebbles from time to time if they get in her way and she doesn’t want to share. But, she was easy to train to obey commands and eagerly learns, everything that is except she doesn’t always respond to the correction when she is being “dominate”.

Remedy, however, is most of the time sweet and easy-going with my husband and I and with the other two dogs as well.

So, as you can see, they all three are examples of the general guidelines and all three have an exception to one or more. 😉