Male German Shepherd vs. Female German Shepherd: According to the AKC, German shepherds are the second most popular dog breeds in the world because of their unusual features.
Regardless of gender, they are loyal, obedient, brave, and intelligent.
Although there are similarities between male and female GSDs, there are also related differences.
If you are thinking of adopting a male or female GSD, note the following differences so that you can choose which one suits your lifestyle and preference.
When you talk about a female vs. a male German Shepherd, both have advantages and disadvantages.
Keep reading to find out what these differences are and how they affect your decision.
Differences between a Male German shepherd and a Female German Shepherd
German Shepherds vary from breeding, raising, or training in their environment to individual differences. However, We may see few differences based on their gender.
For this post, we will list the gender-based common and natural differences between male GSDs and female GSDs.
Female vs. Male German Shepherd Temperament
In general, female GSD makes sweet and friendly companions.
Male GSDs are spatial and urinate wherever they go to locate their territory. They are also very proud.
Female German Shepherd dogs are gentle and friendly to their owners and individuals in general.
Moreover, we have to keep in mind that the dog’s temperament depends on his/her socializing skills.
If you choose male or female GSD, introduce them to new people and surroundings from an early age so that they grow up to be well-mannered and well-socialized dogs.
New GSD owners may consider enrolling their puppy loyalty in kindergarten classes.
Taking your dog out for a regular stroll in the park and introducing the breed to new people and other pets will improve their socialization skills.
With their primary family, GSDs can be playful and playful, but can also show signs of acquisition. Although it raises the dog as an excellent watchdog, it may not be appreciated by visitors or other dog owners.
Personality differences
Male GSDs are more dominant, possessive, and proud, while female GSDs are more affectionate and sensitive. Male GSDs are usually dominated by their large and masculine features.
They are more spatial to their house, yard, property, and even their handlers. This can be a problem because we do not want our house and surroundings to smell like urine.
If spatial marking is a problem for you, consider spraying your male GSDs because they underestimate their territory when spying. In addition, they also carry items such as their food, beds, and toys.
The difference in socialization
Train your GSD at an early age to control unwanted behaviors and prevent problems. Female GSDs, on the other hand, have less of their belongings and they are more protective of themselves as they generally fit in better with their handlers and people. However, female GSDs are highly dependent on leading to jealousy.
A male GSD likes to be around every member of his family, he prefers to bond with his handler who spends most of his time with him.
A female GSD, she forms a bond not only with her handler but also with other family members and tolerates outsiders.
She is loving and gentle with children but plays with male GSD children, which can sometimes suffer when not controlled or trained.
Training differences
As male GSDs are proud of, it can be more challenging to train them than their female rivals. However, they are more effective when they are used as police dogs because they are better at catching criminals.
Female GSDs mature earlier so they have an edge over male GSDs in terms of learning tasks. Female german shepherds tend to be more sensitive and more focused so they excel in agility training because they are faster and smaller.
However, they are easily distracted when in the heat if they do not provide nutrition during training. Male GSDs are easily distracted during training as well as female GSDs when exposed to heat.
Feeding Specifications?
Male German shepherds are considerably larger than their female counterparts, they should be fed large amounts.
It is generally recommended that you divide your dog’s 3-4 cups of healthy dog food into two servings.
The diet and nutrition your dog needs depend on its age, size, structure, and metabolism. When it comes to nutrition, dogs are just like humans and have different food needs.
Not all dogs need the same quantity of food. The most active and energetic dog will undoubtedly need more food than the older dog.
Food quality also plays an important role in improving their overall health.
The higher the quality of dog food, the more nutritious your pet will be.
GSDs grow rapidly between the ages of 4 and 7 months so you need to take some special precautions if you are raising a puppy.
During this growth, they are more prone to bone disorders.
In addition, feeding your new puppy too much and allowing them to gain weight quickly can lead to joint problems.
Physical differences
Let’s start with the obvious difference. Male GSDs Male and female GSDs are more sensitive and feminine with more refined features.
Size
Male GSD is long, large, and heavy. While he has a large head and a broad body, a female GSD is noticeably smaller and lighter.
Male GSD size is scary and impressive, but female GSD size is also useful. If you see large females and small males, these are the exceptions.
Height
The average height of a fully grown male GSD is 24 to 26 inches, while that of a fully grown female GSD is 22 to 24 inches.
Weight
Adult male GSDs weigh 65 to 90 pounds, while adult female GSDs weigh 50 to 70 pounds.
Do not worry if your GSD does not fall below the height and weight range until you and your veterinarian agree that your GSD is healthy and well developed. These numbers are not absolute.
Activity Levels of German Shepherds
German Shepherds, Both men, and women are extremely energetic and require many hours of vigorous exercise.
Simply put, GSD is not for you if you are lazy and watch TV all day and expect your dog to entertain themselves.
GSDs are full of energy and can sink into destructive behavior if they do not exercise.
If you need a powerful companion to accompany you for your morning run, no doubt, this race is the right choice for you.
Is Female or Male German shepherd More Protective?
There is no doubt that the male has a terrible exterior.
For the most part, however, German shepherds are calm, gentle, and loving animals.
Unfortunately, there may be moments when males live in line with German Shepherd traits when they are over-protected.
Males are more spatial and more recognizable than females, especially if they are unwanted.
In the same way, women can compete for dominance over men if you see that they lack strong leadership. However, this can only become a problem if you do not train your dog properly.
Males are more protective of their surroundings, while females are more protective of their families.
As female GSDs have a “pack” tendency, they are more protective of your family than their male counterparts.
A few other different features to mention:
One person connection
Men are particularly attached to a person and are more spatial than that person.
Of course, a male family loves the rest, but don’t be surprised if everyone understands the special bond that your male German shepherd has with “their” person.
Men generally do better from a personal protection standpoint because of their larger size and tendency to bond with a person.
Possession of goods
Women are less possessive of objects and personal influences than men and are less likely to form a strong bond with a man.
Instead, females prefer to ‘pack’ and look after your family equally, unless there is someone who clearly feeds, maintains, and trains them.
Training and sensitivity
Females are easier to train and more sensitive than males.
Their small size, high agility, and temperament mean they are a good choice for loyalty training and events. Females also mature faster than males, which makes them easier to train.
The patience with strangers and children
Usually, women with strangers and children are more tolerant.
Female dogs also usually go to the heat twice a year, which, if not sprayed, can cause some personality changes.
Are Male or Female GSD’s Less Aggressive?
Male German Shepherd dogs are more likely to show aggression than females.
If your goal is to train the German Shepherd not to be aggressive it can be challenging.
However, training your shepherd not to be aggressive will alleviate some of the potentials for conflict with other people and animals.
Things to consider: Families with children may prefer to play with male dogs, but male dogs may be more appropriate for owners with security issues.
To avoid overprotection and aggressive behavior, German Shepherd dogs should be trained to socialize and be obedient at an early age, which will reduce the chances of harming others or encountering other pets.
There are some benefits to training your male GSD not to be aggressive, you can avoid fitting him with a muzzle whenever you go out of the house, fewer complaints about him can be hostile, but protecting your home is a priority.
The first recommendation is to identify the cause of the aggression.
Then you can deal with the underlying problem. To reduce aggression, training should include socialization with other pets and individuals.
You also need to use obedience commands to increase your control. Some preventive measures may also be needed to prevent his aggression from developing further.
Which One Should I Choose?
It depends on your preference. Let the breeder know about the specific features you are looking for. Be clear about your intentions in purchasing a GSD so that breeders can give possible hints. If possible, observe male and female GSD puppies together.
If you want to reproduce GSD, getting a female GSD is an option. When female GSDs are hot, they may bleed for a week or more. It only happens twice a year but it can be confusing. So if you are inexperienced about it, then it can be difficult.
Alternatively, you can choose to get a male GSD. The problem, however, is that when a male GSD smells a female GSD in the heat, he will do his part to maintain the female GSD no matter how far away you are so you will not see your male GSD for a while.
Most experts agree that female GSDs are ideal for families with children, so if you have children, get a female GSD because she is more nurturing and gentle.
If you have a small space and it is your first time caring for GSD then a female GSD is also preferred.
However, if you want GSD for your protection, get a male GSD. Keep in mind that a male GSD requires more food than a female.
Although there are common differences between male and female GSD, there are still exceptions.
You should also consider how GSD is raised and trained. Keep in mind that untrained GSD can become aggressive regardless of gender.
Try not to focus too much on gender because their characteristics depend only on their race.
Any GSD, male or female can be your most protective and loyal companions depending on how they are raised.
Final words
Be open-minded before choosing the gender and when your expectations are not met go for the other. For example, if you adopt a Female GSD and find out that she is more aggressive than a male, train her to control her behavior.
Many GSDs have been abandoned or kept for adoption due to high expectations from previous owners. We hope you find the right GSD either it could be male or female.
