Dog Behavior, The Difference Is Between Male & Female Dogs, Not Between Dog Breeds

Researchers Benjamin & Lynette Hart at the Center for Animal Behavior at Univeristy of California in Davis asked obedience judges and veterinarians to rank 56 breeds on 13 characteristics:

• general activity,
• excitability,
• excessive barking,
• dog aggression,
• snapping at children,
• dominance over owner,
• territorial defense,
• watchdog barking,
• destructiveness,
• playfulness,
• attention seeking,
• trainability,
• ease of housebreaking.

They found personality differences based on sex were greater than personality differences based on breed. Male dogs more likely to dominate owners, be dog aggressive, playful, active, territorial, and to snap at children. Females were better at obedience training and housebreaking but they demanded more affection. There were no differences between males and females in over-all excitability, excitability barking, or watchdog characteristics.