Do Female Dogs Prefer Male Owners?

Dogs adore the humans in their lives, regardless of gender. In terms of establishing solid emotional connections with their owners, some female dogs might have better chances with male humans, however. This also sometimes works the other way around, with male dog and female owner relationships.

Female dogs sometimes develop deeper relationships with male humans than with female humans, according to author and dog trainer Liz Palika. This might be based on certain signature behavioral traits that are common in the sexes, for humans and canines alike. A male might have a more relaxed attitude toward the sometimes rather assertive behaviors of female canines. Spaying female dogs tends to make them calmer and more relaxed in general, however, just as neutering does for male dogs. Despite all of this, many female humans are the "favorite people on earth" for lots of happy female dogs, too.

Male dogs too often get along famously with humans of the opposite sex. This too might be related to traits that are common in the sexes. Some male dogs become extremely watchful over their female owners, in attempts to shield them from possible dangers. When female humans are pregnant and nursing, this relationship with male dogs is sometimes intensified. Remember that this time in a female's life is all about lots and lots of hormones -- and intuitive dogs can sometimes sense that.

Although dogs sometimes have more harmonious relationships with opposite-gender persons, it isn't always easy when mixed genders are involved. If a couple and their two children are looking for a devoted canine companion, they could achieve success with dogs of either sex. As individuals, male and female dogs all have extremely specific temperaments, too. It's often difficult to predict how a dog might behave around a person, with or without gender as a factor.

Many female dogs might be pretty tight with their male owners, but the most secure connections in the dog and human world actually might be between male dogs and male owners -- as long as both parties have overly nervous temperaments, that is. Research conducted by the University of Vienna indicates that skittish male dogs go up to their owners especially quickly when they happen to be male and high-strung too. They also tend to remain closer to their owners' sides in those types of relationships.