How to distinguish a girl from a boy puppy

How to tell a boy puppy from a girl?

Independently distinguishing the gender of a puppy by visual method is only possible from 4 weeks of age. Until this time, male dogs have practically no developed genitals, so they are often confused with females. The most accurate result can be obtained if the birth was attended by a qualified veterinarian, but even in such a situation there is a risk of error. The main physiological differences between puppies of different sexes:

• in male dogs, a small flattening with an opening is formed next to the navel; over time, the penis will develop from it;
• In females, the genitals are not pronounced; the surface of the body below the navel should be smooth and even.

Even ultrasound examination of puppies or fetuses in the womb is not always informative regarding gender.

If you are not sure about the correct sex determination of newborns of the same litter, it is recommended to wait until the genitalia begin to form.

How to distinguish them?

Let's move on to our main question: how to distinguish a bitch from a cable? The most reliable way is to examine the genitals. At first glance, this seems quite simple, but there is one big “BUT”: in the first days of life, puppies have poorly formed sexual characteristics.

Look at the table, which shows the sexual characteristics of puppies of different sexes.

Apart from this, there are other ways to find out the gender of your dog. As they grow up, boys and girls have different habits. For example, boys are more likely to mark territory; as they get older, they begin to raise their paw when urinating and so on.

Who to choose: boy or girl

Males and females have a number of not only physiological, but also behavioral differences. A competent choice of gender will allow you to avoid inconvenience during the subsequent raising and maintenance of your pet. You need to choose a dog taking into account subsequent goals and objectives. For example, if you want to hunt or teach your pet working skills, then it is better to take a male dog - they are usually more resilient and tolerate behavior correction better. A dog of any gender is suitable as a companion. The decisive factor when choosing a dog should be the temperament, character and other characteristics of the breed, which begin to appear from the first months of the animal’s life.

Boys and girls: who to choose

The vast majority of people who dream of a dog can accurately answer the question about the gender of the pet they want in their home. True, no one gives clear arguments about their choice - usually it all depends on personal preferences. Indeed, professional dog handlers claim that there is practically no difference between the behavior of males and females of the same breed, with the exception of some nuances.

Gender differences in dogs are not immediately obvious, since behavior depends primarily on upbringing

Differences in behavioral attitudes

Based on the observations of experienced dog breeders, it can be noted that female dogs are more dependent on the owner, become more attached to family members and have a hard time withstanding separation, while boys more often show autonomy and independence, but at the same time are more active and playful. In addition, the behavior of male dogs is greatly influenced by sexual instinct - even the most obedient dog can run away from its owner if it smells a female dog in heat.

The behavior of male dogs largely depends on the sexual instinct

Good protective qualities are also considered an advantage of females - they are often more angry and aggressive than males, but at the same time treat children better. True, during the period of heat, the behavior and character of females can also change greatly, sometimes beyond recognition - for example, always calm and peaceful females begin to attack others and bare their fangs. However, this behavior can be avoided if you teach your puppy not to bite in time.

Smell

Another important factor that is especially interesting to those who live in apartments is the smell coming from the dog. It is popularly believed that males smell stronger than females, but in fact this opinion is erroneous, and rather applies to cats and female cats - male cats often put so-called marks, releasing a liquid with an extremely unpleasant odor, which is almost impossible to remove.

A specific odor emanates from bitches during heat

The absence or presence of an unpleasant odor depends on the breed, age and health of the dog, but during puberty and estrus, bitches can emit a strong odor. If the pet is completely healthy, the smell will disappear after the end of estrus - you just need to arrange hygiene procedures and change diapers more often. Otherwise, it is better to show the dog to a doctor - such trouble may be evidence of sexually transmitted infections and other diseases.

A dog’s behavior does not depend on gender, but on breed, upbringing and character - both females and males can successfully become good companions, guards, bloodhounds, or perform other functions.

With proper education, both females and males will be excellent guards, protectors and friends.

Video - Choosing a puppy by gender

Why do you need to know the gender of the puppy?

It is recommended to decide in advance about the gender of your future dog. Females and males differ in behavior, especially towards people and other animals.

Often, sexually mature males may not get along with each other and engage in open aggression.

If you already have a temperamental dog at home, it is recommended that you refuse to purchase another dog. The gender of the dog allows you to predict its behavior and the characteristics of your pet’s upbringing.

Differences in the behavior of puppies of different sexes

Sexual dimorphism in the behavior of dogs occurs after 6-12 months, depending on the breed, they are associated with the production of hormones in the body. The adult cable begins to raise its paw during the process of emission. Most males are larger than females and have thicker fur. In addition, their territorial instinct is better developed - during walks the dog begins to mark, trying to define its boundaries. Aggression towards other individuals of the same sex and pugnacity often appear.

Bitches, even from puppyhood, demonstrate a more docile and modest character. Outwardly, they are smaller than males, which is especially noticeable among representatives of large breeds. Urination occurs while sitting on the hind legs. Unspayed female dogs go into heat twice a year, when the dog's behavior may change.

Affectionate chihuahua girl

A common reason potential owners give up on a female Chihuahua is that she goes into heat twice a year for up to 2 weeks. They fear that during the period of heat the girl may stain furniture and carpets with secretions. But being in heat is not a reason to deny yourself the purchase of a bitch. Experienced breeders solve the problem by putting diapers on the dog or locking it in an enclosure for a while. And clean Chihuahua girls take care of hygiene so that the owners do not notice the discharge and determine the onset of these days only by seeing a swollen noose.

The second mythical problem that prevents you from purchasing a Chihuahua dog is a girl: pregnancy and childbirth. Childbirth in decorative Chihuahua girls, especially mini ones, is difficult due to the tiny size of the dogs and often requires surgical intervention. And the owners do not have enough skills and time to care for the puppy and offspring. The solution to the problem is not to breed the dog and keep it from accidental matings.

If you are planning a breeding, be prepared to give your pet first aid during birth or call a specialist. If labor is difficult, the veterinarian will perform a caesarean section on the girl to deliver the puppies. The operation is performed under anesthesia, from which the bitch may not recover.

A dog's cleanliness does not depend on gender. If you think that girls don't mark their territory and pee in the tray, you're mistaken. With careful training, a dog of any gender can be trained to do its business in the owner's designated toilet.

Pros of owning a bitch:

• flexible, easy to learn;
• controlled matings and breeding are possible;
• marks less than a dog;
• clean.

Minuses:

• puppies from uncontrolled matings;
• regular heat (prevents you from participating in exhibitions);
• In terms of appearance, boys take the best places at exhibitions.

How to examine a newborn puppy?

An unborn puppy must be examined with extreme caution - they have fragile bones, and even slight pressure can lead to problems. Before picking up the dog, you need to wipe it dry. When examining the floor of the puppy, you need to place him on his back in your palm, trying to cover the maximum area of ​​his body and supporting his head with your fingers.

The maximum contact time should not exceed 10 minutes - newborns do not yet have thermoregulation, they can freeze without additional heat.

It is best to use a warm towel that has been preheated to just above room temperature. If the baby begins to tremble and cry, he should be returned to his place immediately.

Even before the inspection begins, you should make sure that the bitch does not object to this manipulation. Some females may behave aggressively after giving birth.

If you see the dog begin to bare its teeth or growl, immediately put the puppy back.

Examination of newborn puppies

Newborn puppies are very fragile, delicate, and any careless movement can cause them harm. You should not rush and immediately after birth take the babies in your arms - they have their own smell, which the mother recognizes well, and if you fight it off, she may stop feeding and caring for the offspring. In addition, the bitch may regard any encroachment on the puppies as a threat to their life and become extremely aggressive.

Puppies must be examined very carefully

Before picking up your baby, you should change into home clothes, wash your hands with soap and warm your palms well. You need to hold the puppy in your arms for no more than 10-15 minutes - if he starts to squeak or worry, it is better to return him to his place. The paws should be held and spread extremely carefully so as not to damage them.

The younger the puppy, the more difficult it is to clearly determine its gender

A sign of a violation of the normal state can be not only whining, but also body trembling - it means that the baby is cold or very scared, which can negatively affect his health. To examine the offspring, it is better to cover a sofa or other soft surface with a warm towel, carefully lay the puppy on its back, carry out the necessary procedure and immediately take it to the mother.

How to determine the gender of a puppy?

After you have taken the puppy in your hand, you can begin to identify the genitals. The area between the navel and tail should be examined to determine the rudiments of the scrotum, but in very small puppies it may not yet be formed. There should be another bulge on the lower abdomen of boys, which is located below the navel. This is the dog's future foreskin; at this age it should absolutely not be pulled back - the penis remains closed for up to 2-4 months.

In bitches, the genitals are located lower, almost at the base of the abdomen. The surface in that place should be smooth, only the navel and small dots (future nipples) are visually visible. The loop in newborns is still flat, barely pronounced. However, it is visually easy to determine who is in front of you - a girl or a boy.

How to determine the gender of a teenage puppy?

As they grow older, sexual characteristics become more pronounced, so after 1 month it is easy to determine the gender of the dog. Main features:

1. In male dogs, a scrotum is formed, located between the hind legs. When palpating the juveniles, two testicles can be found as they descend. If this does not happen for a long time, you should contact your veterinarian, as the dog may be cryptorchid. You will clearly notice the penis, which grows along with the rest of the body until adulthood. Males of small breeds begin to raise their paws and mark their territory as early as 2 months, while in large breeds this is observed later.
2. Bitches have a vulva under the anus, which is easiest to identify by picking up the dog. Externally, it is a small formation, usually hidden by fur. The first estrus begins at 6-9 months, it can be distinguished by changes in behavior and the blood that the animal secretes.

If you are planning to castrate, it is recommended to do it as early as possible. In males - after the descent of the testicles (if there is no cryptorchidism), in females - before the onset of the first estrus. This allows you to avoid hormonal influence on the animal’s behavior and various problems with the reproductive organs.

Physiological method for determining the sex of a puppy

Most dog breeders have no difficulty determining the sex of the baby. For an ordinary person who is far from breeding animals, it is sometimes very difficult to resolve this issue of how to determine the gender of a puppy.

You can determine the gender of a puppy:

• Guided by physiological data . To find out the sex of the baby, you should examine his tummy. In male dogs, on the belly, just below the navel, his genital organ is located, slightly visible under the folds of the skin. When this area is impacted, the fold on the foreskin will be stretched or pulled back in the future. Under the anus, in the perineum, there is a small area with fur. This is where the testicles will eventually be located. They can be detected by feeling the baby's skin. Unlike males, females are characterized by the presence of only papillae and a navel on their tummy. Her genital organs (urethra, vaginal opening) tend to be located near the anus.

There is no need to rush into determining the sex of a newborn puppy. At this age, the genitals will not yet be able to tell anything, and unnecessary touching of the baby will irritate both him and the mother. The result may be the mother's abandonment of the baby.

Common mistakes when determining gender

Despite its apparent simplicity, mistakes often occur when identifying the sex of puppies. The main ones:

1. Gender cannot be determined by how one urinates. Some males can sit down for up to six months, and females begin to raise their paws.
2. Regardless of gender, dogs develop 8-10 nipples, but in dogs they are less pronounced, most often only two abdominal pairs are clearly visible.
3. It is strictly forbidden to retract the foreskin - you can cause an infection or injure the puppy. This process occurs naturally between 2 and 6 months of age, depending on the breed.
4. Dogs of large breeds and giants enter puberty later than small dogs, so the formation of genitalia occurs more slowly. Later, the first heat is observed, marks during walks.

If, when examining your puppy, you are not sure who is in front of you, it is best to contact the breeder or veterinarian. An experienced specialist can easily recognize the sex of an animal.

Briefly about the main thing

1. Pronounced sexual characteristics in dogs appear starting from 4 weeks of life, so it may be difficult to examine newborn puppies.
2. In males, the penis is first represented by a small tubercle below the navel; the belly of females is smooth and even.
3. Males are larger and prone to territorial instinct. Females more often have a calm and docile character; regular estrus begins from 6-9 months. Behavior is not a primary gender characteristic.

Can you determine the gender of a puppy? Share useful tips in the comments on how to find out who was born - a boy or a girl.

Why do you need to know the gender of your dog?

Puppies are very small and it can be difficult to distinguish males from females at an early age. Unfortunately, many breeders who plan to give away newborn babies may find that those looking to buy puppies are specific in their desire for a male or female. The good news is that you don't need a veterinarian to find out the gender of your puppy. The owner of a dog can easily determine its gender before it gets too big.

It is better to determine the sex of a puppy 3-4 weeks after its birth.

Some people demand and specifically ask for male dogs because they believe that they are calmer. It is possible that owners had better experiences with one gender than the other. The reasons for this may be difficult to analyze and impossible to understand or predict. For such people, the question of how to understand whether a puppy is a boy or a girl is very important.

Important! Physical differences between males and females are less obvious than in other species of domestic or farm animals.

Among dogs, the average height and weight of females and males varies, but the difference is usually only a few centimeters and a couple of kilograms. This is true for any breed - Chihuahua, Husky, Spaniel, Spitz. For both the Yorkie and the German Shepherd, the differences between the sexes in terms of size are insignificant. However, the size of the pet is not the main parameter that helps to understand how to determine the gender of the puppy.

Bitches can become pregnant between 6 and 12 months of age. The average number of babies in a litter is 6 puppies, but this figure may vary. As soon as the puppies are born, you can begin to examine them to determine their sex.

Mothers and newborns should not be separated too early

When it comes to newborn puppies, the differences are insignificant. It is worth understanding that all newborns are very tiny, so the question of how to find out whether a puppy is male or female is unlikely to be resolved quickly.

Important! It is important to know the gender of the puppies for the future. If you do not want to have several more litters, you will need to separate or neuter some of the puppies.