Male dogs are also called boys or dogs. Female dogs are called girls or (wait for it!) bitches. Now don't cringe! It's an accepted canine term for a female dog.

So which sex makes the better pet?

SPEAKING VERY GENERALLY...

	Male dogs tend to be "lovable slobs" and "good ol' boys."
	Male dogs tend to be more outgoing, more vigorously affectionate, more "in your face."
	Male dogs tend to be more stable and reliable in mood, less prone to emotional swings.
	Male dogs tend to be clumsy and silly and prone to acting like oversized kids.
	Male dogs mean well and are easy to love.

On the negative side:

	Male dogs are more apt to test their owners and engage in dominance struggles, especially during the hormonal adolescent months, which can last a long time -- from about six months old all the way up to two or three years old in larger breeds.
	Male dogs have obvious genitals, which can make for embarrassing moments if they become aroused or decide to lick themselves when Grandma is visiting. Some males are enthusiastic humpers who will mount stuffed toys, other dogs, sometimes people's legs.
	Most male dogs lift their leg to urinate -- a consideration if you have expensive shrubbery or lawn ornaments. Some males are territorial markers who spray urine on every vertical object (ranging from telephone poles to blades of grass) to mark it with their scent.

SPEAKING VERY GENERALLY...

	Female dogs tend to be more subtle than males. They're affectionate on their own terms. They'll request or demand petting, then reassert their independence by walking away when they've had enough.
	Female dogs tend to be quicker to learn and are not as easily distracted during training sessions.
	Female dogs are less likely to be openly defiant or to engage in blunt power struggles or dominance challenges -- yet they can be clever, passively resistant, and manipulative about getting their own way.
	Female dogs are prone to mood swings and emotional theatrics. They can be sweet one day (or one hour!) and grumpy the next.
	Female dogs are experts at The Dirty Look and The Sulk.

• When trying to choose, consider the other dogs in your household. Certain breeds should never be kept with another dog of the same sex.
• Consider the other dogs in your neighborhoood. If there's a resident bully who roams free, you'd be wise not to get the same sex, else your daily walks may become stressful. Similarly, if your next-door neighbor has an aggressive dog, perhaps you should get the opposite sex to avoid fence-fighting.