Mars vs Venus- GSD style - Page 1

There have been some threads lately discussing bonding and territoriality. I have heard of some differences between the sexes, like some thought females were more likely to be protective of a single individual ( with a strong bond) vs. males who view protecting their territory as their priority. Any feelings or other personal thoughts on this? I have only ever owned the boys.

It is pure BUNK......each dog is different period. Few temperament characteristics can be attributable to gender under normal circumstances. When one has had experience with many, many dogs of both genders, one learns this very quickly.

I think it's largely down to the individual.  However, I've always found that my males have been warners... they'd give  you a chance.  My bitches... no!  No warning, if you're where you shouldn't be... they're in your face, no warning, no chance given.

Anyone else find this?

Females - sharper, easier to fire up, may weaken in fight drive if under severe pressure

Males - slower, but if something gets under their skin they have more intensity and force and want to finish the fight

Complete genralization of course

One rule in research applies here: there are more differences within groups than between groups. Whether male or female, what may account for each animal's individual style is at least in part  by hormone levels (not as they fluctuate but as they are in general and governed by genetic expression. With human research subjects, it was found that one gender with higher levels of opposite gender hormones tended to have to have interests and behaviors that have been described as belonging to that opposite gender, and homosexuality was not the issue. These people were heterosexual. What we define as gender-based behaviors are not so simple. It is more acceptable for men to take a mojor role in child-rearing or women to be in combat roles so we see more of it. Sex characteristics are not a black and white issue but lie on a continuum. 

It all boils down to seeing each dog as an individual, male and female. We would be up the creek if we could not generalize. I think generalizations may be a point at which to start but the danger lies in letting a generalization affect your ultimate judgment of an individual dog, whether they are positive or negative. A lot of qualities are subjective in nature. Our attentional biases can distort an ultimate evaluation, and this can be a problem if we make decisions based on old wives tales and not objective observations. 

of course you have to look at the individual dogs, but evolution has put some differences in place for a reason...

If human or dog, there are some differences, and on top of that the individual temperament. I have to say though, that females are females, and males are males.

In general, I find females sneakier, they try in different ways to see how far they go, and males are easyer to impress. I don't know who said it but it is true, "You can't never pat a male between the legs enough...." This works and that for a reason....

Males are easier to convince about things that females are. Maybe it is just because of the dogs i have been arround, but I handled a few dogs, male and female, and yeah females stay females. Lot of them are silent attackers, where males tend to focus first more on the traditional rituals. Females often go without warning, males ritualize more... More huffing and puffing! Where it may seem that they are more territorial, they have to show off!!! ;o)

The only way this question would ever be settled would be for a scientist (someone who knows the scientific method and can devise appropriate tests or research methods) to conduct a study and publish results. There are lots and lots of opinions around about how male and female GSDs act and protect differently. Oddly enough, the behavior of the domestic dog isn't very well documented at all. So all we have to go on are the opinions of ourselves and others. And there's no consensus either.

Based on my experience, I think females are more affectionate, moodier, and more likely to do something behind your back. Males are steadier in mood (wysiwyg, in computer terms -what you see is what you get), give clearer signals about their intentions and yes, they like to show off.  Just my experience, yours may and probably does vary.