# Can you tell female from male dogs without seeing their genitals? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 6, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936 "2011-05-06T06:06:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2011, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/21 "2011-05-06T22:26:36Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > [Nothing cuter than a cat anus](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdeAZCTwvI) ;). Cat Anus = Kitty Camera… hop up on your chest, turn around so the Kitty Camera is facing you and Click! ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/22 "2011-05-06T22:32:40Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > No. And everyone assumes dogs are male by default, just as cats are female. We had a border collie/cocker spaniel mix, male, who almost everyone thought was female. He was quite good looking, though. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/23 "2011-05-06T22:44:08Z")
With bull terriers, the chest and head are often broader in the male. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/24 "2011-05-06T23:02:32Z")
Depends on the breed. Most short to medium coated dogs it’s easy enough to guess correctly most of the time of you spend a little bit of time observing. Females tend to be sleeker, longer, smaller boned, and more streamlined than males. Males tend to be boxier, more muscled, massive through the chest and neck and usually have for more luxuriant coats. YMMV depending on breed. On longhaired dogs or giant breeds it’s often better to simply ask. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/25 "2011-05-06T23:04:29Z")
All my female Jacks are much sleeker and trimmer. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/26 "2011-05-07T05:00:16Z")
It is like people. Females tend to be smaller and more finely boned on average. Hummm, the one day I took Lola, a yellow Lab to a festival. One guy that may not have had too good of a look at her was fooled by her big, square head and lean 70 pounds. He informed me the females are smaller. There were also 2 little boys I guess were about 6. One of them asked me if she was a boy or a girl. When I said a girl, he replied in the most disgusted voice a 6 year old has, ‘‘Maybe that is why she keeps trying to kiss me’’. Getting back to topic. Out of 18 Labs Lola most nearly looked like the classic Lab, big square head, tapering tail, solid color, etc. She was a poor excuse of a dog. Despite being gotten out from 7 weeks around traffic, noise, people, etc., she was afraid of her own shadow, and quickly dropped out of dog guide school. Her mother also produced few other litters. Her father continued, but was carefully bred to lines carrying bolder genes. So don’t tell me your sickly, poor temperament show dogs are well bred. Part of the time we had Peggy. Many of the Labs we have had would have been laughed out of a show. I thing we would have been run off with a stick if we ever showed up with Peggy. She weighed the same 70 pounds as Lola, but stood a head taller. She was too dark and red, long ears, droopy eyes, pointed face, and fearless. Well there was the time we got close to a bagpipe band, but other than that, she most feared missing a meal. Remember slides? When our slides came back, there was one of Peggy and a little puppy that looked just like her. But the only dog we saw all day the looked like her was her daddy? Opps, that was Daddy with his little girl. He too disappeared from the breeding pool. Not for looks, but for excessive size and energy. So you can guess at a dog’s sex, but that is what it is, and you will be wrong sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/27 "2011-05-07T05:45:29Z")
I am surprised nobody pointed out… Just watch any behavior for a while and you can tell whether they are acting like a bitch… ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/28 "2011-05-07T05:49:09Z")
> [@PapSett](#): > > In a well-bred dog, yes, I can normally tell male from female just by body type & face. Males are supposed to look masculine, females feminine. Females are normally a tiny bit longer through the loin to give room to carry puppies, and the male normally has a more luxurious coat in long-haired breeds. The male’s head should be \*MALE \*looking. Males look masculine and females feminine? So…what does that actually translate to? ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/29 "2011-05-07T08:00:32Z")
At adoptions, I can sex 8 week old puppies just by feeling their tummies. I can do it with 6 week old kittens. I don’t even have to pick them up and look, just quick grope is enough to do it. I cheat, all of our critters are fixed and the ones with the shaved tummies have been spayed. It does impress people, tho. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/30 "2011-05-07T14:12:27Z")
> [@thelabdude](#): > > So don’t tell me your sickly, poor temperament show dogs are well bred. My show dogs **ARE** well bred and they are not sickly and have WONDERFUL temperaments thankyouverymuch. You cannot judge ALL dogs by your ONE experience. And as far as the difference between feminine & masculine, it is hard to put into words, but I know it when I see it. The males have bigger, blockier heads, the females more delicately built. In my breed of choice, the Gordon Setter, the males have heavier bone structure all around. As I mentioned in my previous post, the males have more coat. I am usually right 90-95% of the time when I guess a well-bred dog’s sex. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/31 "2011-05-07T17:19:47Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Males look masculine and females feminine? So…what does that actually translate to? Here are two photos from a breeder of Golden Retrievers (a breed I’m somewhat familiar with, but I don’t know this breeder). [One](http://www.laframboisieregoldens.com/uploads/images/inu/inu_querida01.jpg) [Two](http://www.laframboisieregoldens.com/uploads/images/inu/inu_querida02.jpg) In both photos, the dog on the right with the slightly darker coat is female. I think these two dogs show a pretty good distinction between the “masculine” and “feminine” features people are trying to explain. The male is broader across the chest and into the neck, and has larger legs and body. He has a more square face, and seems to have a blunter nose, while the female is a bit smaller faced and has a more delicate muzzle. Males of the breed also tend to have longer fur. For many Goldens (and Labs, really) I can often tell if the dog is male or female, though there are examples of each where it’s not all that clear. My sister’s previous dog - while very large - was often thought to be female when people first saw him because of the shape of his head, although when he was next to his full sister (my cousin’s dog), it was clear that he was the male, because she was just that much more delicate. For mutts though, I find it’s tougher. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/32 "2011-05-07T17:55:31Z")
> [@PapSett](#): > > My show dogs **ARE** well bred and they are not sickly and have WONDERFUL temperaments thankyouverymuch. You cannot judge ALL dogs by your ONE experience. > > And as far as the difference between feminine & masculine, it is hard to put into words, but I know it when I see it. The males have bigger, blockier heads, the females more delicately built. In my breed of choice, the Gordon Setter, the males have heavier bone structure all around. As I mentioned in my previous post, the males have more coat. > > I am usually right 90-95% of the time when I guess a well-bred dog’s sex. :rolleyes: :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/33 "2011-05-07T18:06:24Z")
Are teats (nipples if you prefer) considered genitals? If not, then yes. I think. Do male dogs have six vestigial nipples? ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/34 "2011-05-07T20:37:15Z")
Yes. Every once in awhile a question shows up on a dog forum that somebody questions if the puppy sold to them is a male because it has nipples. I think all male mammals have nipples except maybe some species where the female produces milk otherwise. The next time a stallion or bull presents himself for a belly rub, I will check him. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/35 "2011-05-07T23:49:01Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Are teats (nipples if you prefer) considered genitals? If not, then yes. > > I think. Do male dogs have six vestigial nipples? Nipples are more pronounced (larger and slightly pinker) on a female dog that’s been in season, and still more so in a female dog that’s had a litter. But if you could see the nipples you’d likely be able to see the genitals too, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/36 "2011-05-07T23:51:34Z")
Probably, but not necessarily. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/37 "2011-05-07T23:59:48Z")
> [@thelabdude](#): > > :rolleyes: :dubious: Roll your eyes all you want. I don’t have to prove a thing to you, I _know_ the quality of my dogs. I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks-I know the truth. I’m not here to defend myself of my dogs, just answering a question to the best of my ability. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/38 "2011-05-08T00:27:17Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > Well, to come to their defense: > > 1. Most people would not be able to recognize the first one. > 2. I would consider “delicate features” to be a bit subjective. > 3. Most people (in the US at least) don’t speak French and are not itimately familiar with French names. > 4. And “queen”…well, that is a common term for a gay male. I’ll give you 1 and 2, but Simone isn’t a terribly exotic name that the average American is unfamiliar with, and the term “queen” in conjunction with the pronoun “her” should have done it. > [@mnemosyne](#): > > Here are two photos from a breeder of Golden Retrievers (a breed I’m somewhat familiar with, but I don’t know this breeder). > > [One](http://www.laframboisieregoldens.com/uploads/images/inu/inu_querida01.jpg) > [Two](http://www.laframboisieregoldens.com/uploads/images/inu/inu_querida02.jpg) > > In both photos, the dog on the right with the slightly darker coat is female. I think these two dogs show a pretty good distinction between the “masculine” and “feminine” features people are trying to explain. The male is broader across the chest and into the neck, and has larger legs and body. He has a more square face, and seems to have a blunter nose, while the female is a bit smaller faced and has a more delicate muzzle. Males of the breed also tend to have longer fur. Ah, thanks. With the side by side, I got it (guessed it?) correctly right away. If were to see some guy at the park walking one of those dogs by itself, I wouldn’t be able to tell though. > [@](#): > > For mutts though, I find it’s tougher. Yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/39 "2011-05-08T01:59:01Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > [Nothing cuter than a cat anus](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdeAZCTwvI) ;). ::Obligatory quote:: _Mr Bloom watched curiously, kindly, the lithe black form. Clean to see: the gloss of her sleek hide, the white button under the butt of her tail, the green flashing eyes._ Ulysses, “Calypso.” ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936/40 "2011-05-08T02:04:59Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > … > Ah, thanks. With the side by side, I got it (guessed it?) correctly right away. If were to see some guy at the park walking one of those dogs by itself, I wouldn’t be able to tell though. If you hang around with any one breed long enough, you’ll immediately notice not only the sex difference between the two as well as the individual faces of each of them. Kinda like Chinese people [nb: this is a long standing American joke. nbb: by American, I mean North American, and by North American, I mean USA-ian]. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-female-from-male-dogs-without-seeing-their-genitals/580936.md?page=3)