However, adult male dogs are calmer and are more trainable… on the other hand, females may be overly aggressive when they have a litter of puppies…
One of the most prominent differences is that male dogs have higher aggression levels than female dogs. Researchers studying dog aggression levels found that male dogs are six times more likely to bite than female dogs.
Intact male dogs are more likely to be territorial and will have higher aggression levels than neutered males.
That being said, female protection dogs are more likely to be obedient than male protection dogs. This is because female dogs have better attention spans when compared to males. They also mature faster and have an innate need to please their owner.
Reproductive and hormonal differences are usually a point of consideration when you’re looking to adopt an intact dog (one that hasn’t been spayed or neutered). This is because the ability to reproduce influences the development of sex-associated behaviors.
Can a protection dog be a family pet?
Despite their reputation as mean and unpredictable, protection dogs can be great family pets. They should be raised in a household so they can learn to be gentle around children. They must be well trained throughout their life and they must have an owner engaged in the training process.
Differences Between Male and Female Livestock Guardian Dogs
Below is a chart showing the supposed differences between male and female livestock guardian dogs. Some of these characteristics are claims that many owners are making (such as males tend to roam more and are more aggressive), but I couldn’t find data to back these claims up. They may be biases rather than truths.
On the other hand, the characteristics pertaining to problems with female dogs in heat (or non-neutered male dogs) are very real.
| Gender | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Male |
– More perimeter patrolling – Marks territory with urine – Increased territorial instincts – Larger size |
– Tend to roam more frequently and farther away – Slower maturation rate/longer training time frame – Show more aggression towards other dogs – Distracted by females in heat |
| Female |
– Tend to stay with the herd or flock – Nurturing with newborn livestock – Matures faster – Tend to be more willingly obedient – May bond more quickly |
– Distracted when in heat – Not as effective as protectors if they have a litter of puppies to take care of – Heat cycles can disrupt protection by drawing in outside dogs and distracting other male LGDs |
Despite the claims outlined in the chart above, I prefer professional dog trainer Zak George’s approach in regards to male and female dogs. He says in his book:
When it comes down to it, dogs are individuals, just as humans are. They all have unique personalities.
However, there are some very real physical differences between male and female livestock guardian dogs that may influence which gender you prefer. Read on!
Best Protection Dog? Male VS Female Working As A Protection Dogs Master Trainer David Harris Says…
K9 dogs are either male or female dogs. It depends mostly on the purpose of the future canine dog.
Most K9 dogs that are used are male dogs. However female dogs are more and more used as K9 dogs as well. Where male dogs are often more aggressive and stronger, female dogs can be used as service dogs as well. Female dogs are often used as single purpose dogs. They are trained to detect bombs, drugs or other contraband.
Male dogs are often picked as police dogs. They show more aggression and are stronger as female dogs.
You can not say a male dog is better than a female dog. It simply matters how the canine will be assigned to work for you.
Dual purpose dogs can be assigned as patrol or protection dogs and sniffer dogs. In practice we see lots of them used by police and law enforcement. Most of our dual dogs are sold as police k9’s. We sell these kinds of dogs worldwide !
Protection dogs are selected and trained mostly to guard and protect. Trained properly they will make sure that the handler will be safe at all times. They can also be used as personal protection dog. However if you want a dog as family protection dog, some skills are needed by the owner. At K10 Workingdogs B.V. we also provide handler courses.
Of course detection dogs should work to detect. This can be a variety of substances like :
Detection dogs will indicate the substance. Normally this will be trained by having to dog sit near the substance. The dogs will more or less ‘point out’ the substance, so it can be found easily by the handler afterwards.