Dog people: I have 2 dogs, 1m, 1f, and they have such different natures, so is this gender related?

Question

Sweetie (f) is possessive, territorial, demanding, aggressive, and just likes to stay close to me and stare into my eyes.

Bos (m) is cool and calm, not overbearing, can't/won't look me in the eyes more than 1 second, turns his head, but he's also very cuddly and likes to be near me, but isn't all over me like Sweetie, who lives to lick.
Is there a pattern of male/female dog behavior?

Sweetie has sharper teeth and definitely gets to the food first, but she's shorter and fatter. I've had Bos longer, and both were shelter rescues.
Sweetie grooms Bos though as if he were the king. She cleans his face every day. She also smiles, and sneezes repeatedly when she's excited and I'm talking to her, and when I first come home, she says "uh huh" to all my questions for a minute, then it's hard to get her to do it on command. I;m trying to train her with the word "say" so I can ask her questions and follow it with SAY.
How?

Answer 1

Actually it is not male/female related, but what you are describing is classic behaviour patterns! Sweetie is displaying very confident and dominant behaviours. Territorial tendancies are either sex, and often a leader of a pack will display this, aggressive ? i hope you mean she is protective, but if she is also aggressive to the point of fear of harm to another animal keep that information in your mind at all times. These dogs are not bad dogs, but they are 'situational'. That means you don't put them in situations that will result in failure. Do not put her with another confident and aggressive dog and try to play with the other one, a fight might break out. As long as you are careful, it is fine to keep these dogs, just be aware of her 'triggers'. Dogs that stare people in the eye are often thought of as very connected to their owners, but some dogs do use this as a challange, and if you look away too often, they start to think of themselves as above you, so warn people not to stare her in the eyes if they are just meeting her for the first time. If you don't give them the chance to challenge you, it comes up less in the future. I bet she is also the first on the eat between your dogs.

Bos is more submissive right? and when you look him in the eyes his ears go flat sideways? he is showing a lower ranking role. He would likely be a babysitter in a pack, teach the other pups good manners, but not a leader dog. There is nothing wrong with him, these are good dogs to have if you have kids, they don't charge or challenge the kids for pack position, but they are sometimes fear biters (when they are cornered, they may snap out of lack of options to express themselves) theses dogs tend to get along better with others, but again, don't put him in a situation doomed to failure. Did you have Sweetie first? they both sound great, and the personalities are more important than sex when you try to match dogs up to live in a home with humans, have fun with them and enjoy each day you are together!

Answer 2

It sounds more like a pattern of dominance/submissiveness. Your female thinks she's in charge...evidence...she looks into your eyes. Only the alpha dog (which should be you) is "allowed" to look into another's eyes.

There may be some male/female patterns here. We have had several sets of male and female dogs over the years. Each dog's personality is different. Some of the things you describe are true of the dogs we have now, and some are present in the opposite gender.

Answer 3

Ok lol it has nothing at all to do with gender. You actually answered this question on your own. they just have two diff. personalities. One dog is territorial, she stares in your eyes because she feels she's the boss or shall I said head of the pack, the male on the other hand is more laid back and loveable. He won't look you in the eyes because he has a greater respect for you, not that the female doesn't, but he knows his place and is happy with you being the boss. The female just feels that she has to be in charge.

Answer 4

No, but it may be either 'breed' or 'raising' that makes your dogs so 'different' ... INCLUDING what you 'do' with the dogs and how YOU treat them. And I'm guessing that Sweetie is the 'alpha dog' in your 'group of three' and you are 'above' Bos, which is why he won't 'look you in the eyes' ... because he's 'on the bottom of the pack' and that's FIGHTING territory if he looks directly at you for more than a nanosecond.

Answer 5

Alpha / dominant female and a submissive male. It's not
a given when you are talking male / female characteristics. Some males are more alpha, some females are, some dogs are right down the middle of the road..

Answer 6

I don't think so, I have had males act like your Sweetie and females act like your Bos. I think breed may make more of a difference in behavior than sex, but mostly it is just the the pup is when he/she is born and how they are raised.

Answer 7

Sounds like Sweetie established her Alpha status in your house.

It is normal for the more dominant one to be the way she is and the less dominant one to be the way he is.

It's nothing to worry about.

They both seem to know their role and loves you very much!!

Answer 8

I have two small dogs, one female, one male, and they act exactly like your do. So i think it does have something to do with gender. Same things with people. Most girls like shopping, and most guys dont. Most guys like working on cars and watching football, and most girls dont.

Answer 9

your a male, your friend is female, is the difference between you a gender thing? NO, the differences are because your two different aminals, regardless of gender.

Answer 10

No. Its just their temperament, their age, and their breed. All dogs are different. Its like saying "All women are loud and like to party, and all men are laid back and easy going". Everybody is gonna be different.