Are Male or Female Chihuahuas More Affectionate?
You have made a choice to get a Chihuahua. However, you are unsure whether to get a male or a female one. The answer to this question may vary from one person to another. Some people genuinely believe that one sex is better than the other, which is often tied to a previous experience or a piece of advice.
Even though they are considered one of the smallest dog breeds out there, Chihuahuas actually have enormous personalities and unique charisma, which appeals to people. Their expressive eyes, upright ears, and sassy demeanor make them ten times more adorable.
Some strongly believe that female dogs are more protective of their owners and puppies, causing them to be aggressive, while male dogs are more affectionate and easier to train. Thus causing the battle of the sexes to continue and not be limited to humans only.
While this might surprise you, this is far from the truth. When it comes to dogs, there is no superior sex. There haven't been any proven studies that show that a male dog will behave better than a female and wise versa. This is all based on the personal opinions of dog owners alike.
Behavioral Differences Between Male and Female Chihuahuas.
Both female and male Chihuahuas are excellent choices for a pet due to their fun-loving and friendly nature. While significant differences between the two sexes won't be prominent until they are older, puppies have no apparent contrasts.
Understanding these differences can aid you in making one of the most crucial choices you could face, whether a male or female puppy is the better option.
If you are thinking about the choice you need to make, and whether one puppy is better for you than the other, we recommend considering essential factors in determining this. While there might not be significant differences in temperament, health, and trainability, their gender does play an important factor in how they react to other dogs and dogs.
If you want a Chi that's loyal to the whole family, quick to train, and gentle around other dogs, then you might want to consider getting a male Chihuahua. However, if you want a Chihuahua that's more playful, careful around strangers, and gentle with kids and babies, then you might want to consider getting a female Chihuahua.
If you want to bring a Chihuahua home, we wrote this thorough guide for you to understand the main differences between owning a male or a female Chihuahua.
Physical Differences Between Male and Female Chihuahuas.
While there is always a debate whether there are some considerable differences in male and female dogs, there really aren't. When it comes to Chis', since they are such tiny dogs, there aren't that many dissimilarities. However, as we all know, Chihuahuas come in different sizes and types, so it is essential to understand that no one mold fits all.
- Male Chihuahua
Male Chis', depending on the type you choose, can grow up to nine inches, while their weight shouldn't exceed 6 pounds due to their small body structure.
- Female Chihuahua
Female Chihuahuas are slightly smaller than their male counterparts like other dog breeds. Adult female Chis' can grow up to seven inches, and their average weight can range anywhere from four to six pounds unless they get obese.
However, be very careful when picking your puppy because, in such small dogs, mistakes are often made when determining the sex of the puppy. If you are unsure, you can always ask the breeder for assistance or even a vet to explain what to look for.
Temperamental Differences Between Male and Female Chihuahuas.
Chihuahuas have earned their prominence as top toy dogs because of their gracefulness and devotion to their owners.
Although they are careful and reserved with outsiders, they make fantastic watchdogs to people they know. Their alert expression and terrier-like attitude certainly make them feisty even though they are tiny.
Males and females are mischievous and funny, but they also have slight differences in their temperaments. Keep in mind that the most typical issues related to their behavior may be directly connected to whether or not your Chihuahua is sterilized or spayed.
Because of this, we would like to point some of the differences you can encounter with both the males and females.
- Male Chihuahua
Male Chihuahuas are usually more loyal and protective of their family. They also tend to be more affectionate and are more likely to create a special connection with their owners than the females.
Males tend to be more peaceful and comfortable to get along with and are more affectionate than females. They always desire attention and devotion and want to satisfy their owner, making training them effortlessly.
But they are also easily content. They can be left in the corner of a room and not be aggressive while their owners watch TV, read, or do chores.
As they grow into adults, their character might slightly change. They may become slower to react and challenge the authority of their owner, but they never become too feisty.
However, it is vital to know that male adult Chihuahua's character mainly depends on whether they are spayed or not.
Male Chihuahua puppies who haven't been spayed grow to become confrontational. This can also lead to them marking their territory by spraying their urine around the house, garden even on the streets.
They also have a hard time controlling their hormones, meaning they may run a lot, have the urge to chase female Chihuahuas, and sometimes even hump female or male dogs.
Unspayed male Chihuahuas tend to have a higher risk of developing diseases that can impact their health. In rare cases, it can even lead to cancer.
- Female Chihuahua
Female Chihuahua puppies make loyal and loving family companions. They are typically tranquil and less boisterous than males, making them an excellent choice for families living in apartments or smaller homes.
However, female Chihuahuas have a natural maternal instinct to protect their young, so they bark more than males. They are also usually more irritable and tend to have more moody personalities. They may also become dominant and assert their authority over the males.
The females love and require the attention of their owners, unlike the male Chis' which is why they might seek it and be more demanding. Being close to their owners and in their lap is one of the traits females can have most of the time.
Not being sterilized has little influence on an adult female Chihuahua's temperament. Sterilized female Chihuahuas go through their adolescent phase with the tiniest changes in their demeanor.
But expect them to have mood swings when they are in heat. Their heat cycle usually occurs every six to nine months and can last for about 4 weeks.
Female Chihuahuas who are not sterilized could be drawing in male dogs. Males can sense when females are in heat, even over long distances. One more important thing to notate is that females tend to run away to find a male mate when they are in heat, just as males can run away searching for the female in heat.
Can Both Male and Female Chihuahuas be Trained Properly?
Chihuahuas have vivacious personalities, and their intellect is not to be overseen. They can match up with large dog breeds in obedience and training and are enthusiastic learners.
With appropriate training and socialization, any Chi can make an ideal pet. Their tiny but irresistible size makes both male and female Chis' have a clearly endless amount of stamina.
What distinguishes each gender's ability to sit back and relax, which we will explain in detail.
- Male Chihuahua
Apart from their caring nature and devotion to please their owners, male Chihuahuas are typically quick learners. Male Chi's respond well to commands, and once it is learned, they tend to follow the command every time.
They do not respond to rough treatment, which might even agitate them and have the opposite effect that you were intending. Males crave positive reinforcement and praise, which you can reward with a treat or two.
Male Chihuahuas generally tend not to sit still for more extended periods of time. They often challenge authority by growling, barking, nipping, or ignoring commands when they are bored. This may be managed with appropriate and constant training.
- Female Chihuahua
On the other hand, unlike their male counterparts, Female Chis' are more often difficult to train and obey the commands, even though they are quick learners. It takes more patience and time to teach them. However, you shouldn't lose hope.
Training them requires consistency, and once a command is learned, it is more likely that your Chihuahua might not always obey.
They also love being praised and rewarded. Female Chihuahuas generally need more positive support than males. Asserting dominance over their owners is not something they concern themselves with. However, that cannot be said about other dogs.
Are Male or Female Chihuahuas Better With Children?
Chihuahuas, quirky and comical, are typically good-natured with children. Both male and female Chis' are full of spirit.
While it is recommended that if you decide to purchase or adopt a Chi, your children should be older, it is not uncommon to welcome a Chi into a family with a baby. Kids over 10 years of age tend to be considered mature enough to manage the vulnerabilities of Chihuahuas, although Chis' can adapt to smaller kids.
The vital thing to note is that most Chihuahuas might easily get overwhelmed with yelling, running, and other loud and quick motions that younger children frequently make. They can also easily injure themselves as they are at a more significant risk of being run over by larger animals or kids.
- Male Chihuahua
Being the more playful of the two, the playfulness can sometimes be too much, and your Chi might get hurt if he gets strained. It is vital to train your Chi to know his boundaries, especially when they do not know when to stop. Make sure you make a corner for them in your home, which might help them to set routines and help them avoid rough play.
- Female Chihuahua
Female Chis' tend to be less playful but more gentle than males, so they are known as more serious and protective. While preferring to be at their owners' side, rather than apart, they can engage in a play with the kids for about half an hour before returning to their safe space. Even though they can be amazing with kids, you should teach your children when to stop playing with your Chi, as this might cause aggression and end with an injury.
Finally, no matter your child's age, do not leave them alone with the dog. Younger kids tend to pull the tail and poke the eyes, which might cause the Chi to defend itself and bite the child. Teach your kids how to appropriately approach, touch, and play with the puppy. Make sure to remind them not to touch your Chi while eating or sleeping.
Male vs. Female Chihuahua - Which One is Better For a Family?
This is hard to answer, as both male and female Chis' make wonderful family pets. Their joyful and eccentric dispositions, coupled with their cute size, make them the perfect companions all around.
That's why this male vs. female question is highly individual and subjective. It is essential to know the advantages of having the male or female Chi in a family environment, so we will break them down and hopefully help you determine the better choice for your family.
Benefits a Male Chihuahua has in a Family Environment:
- Generally, males are more affectionate and loyal
- Very active
- Easier to train and almost always obey the commands they have learned
- Playful
- Easygoing
- Easily satisfied
- Males are not as moody as the females
Benefits a Female Chihuahua in a Family Environment:
- Not demanding too much attention
- Cautious and protective
- Does not assert their dominance over their owner
- Independent
- Less rough
- Sunny and sweet
- Laidback
- They do not mark the home or around it or hump other dogs or people
If you are still unsure whether you should choose a male or a female Chihuahua for your family, you can look at all the characteristics and details listed above. As in any dog breed you can choose, Chis' behavior is significantly influenced by the genes they inherit from their parents, primarily moms, and the kind of environment they were raised in. Please note that this is not an exact science and the facts are not 100% true. However, we hope it will help you choose a dog based on their nature and not just because of their gender.
If you have had a dog before, and that past experience was a good one, you may opt for one gender over the other due to the subjective feeling you have towards them. However, if your previous experiences were not as good with one gender, you will likely choose the opposite.
Regardless of gender, every Chihuahua needs to be adequately socialized. This will help minimize the aggressive behavior towards people, other dogs, cats, and others in their environment. By socializing your puppy, providing them with love, care, proper training, they will be the perfect addition to your family.
Conclusion.
Various disadvantages and advantages of having each gender were also offered to help you determine whether you will choose a male or a female Chihuahua.
Having a substantial understanding of what you can anticipate from both males and females and the obligations of these expectations can help determine the gender you will bring home to your family.
When choosing a pet, it is essential to find one that would match your lifestyle. Keep in mind that the type of environment in which a dog was raised significantly affects his character and demeanor.
This is why you can always meet with the breeders, watch the litter you choose from, and see how the mom behaves around her Chi puppies. It is also essential to know what kind of personality your pup might have.
Lastly, follow your instinct if you feel a special connection to a specific gender. Choosing a Chihuahua gender that you have a connection with can make you raise your dog to be affectionate, friendly, confident, and emotionally attached to you. A bond is a powerful thing, just like finding THE one.