What is a Male Dog Called?
What is a male dog called? No, it’s not just ‘good boy’. Male dogs are often referred to as studs. Like female dogs, the references to male dogs change based on their reproductive status. If the male dog has produced puppies, it would be called a ‘sire’. The English language has given gendered names to dogs, much like to chickens, deers, and the like. For male dogs, there are not many terminologies used.
What do you call a male dog? Some history.
Back in the 16th century, dogs are called as hounds. From there, different terms surfaced to define the dog’s gender, age, and reproductive abilities. There are various terminologies used on both male and female dogs. However, only a few of it is currently being used, and most are not popular among casual dog owners.
The following are some of the terms used among male dogs:
- Stud. A dog called a stud is used for breeding. This is the male counterpart of female dogs that are called ‘bitch’. However, the term ‘bitch’ has developed a negative connotation, while ‘stud’ tends to have a definite meaning.
- Sire. Stud dogs that have fathered a litter will be called ‘sires‘. The word sire means a ‘male parent animal’. This term is used when having a dog’s pedigree listed wherein its parents’ breed is documented. Usually, this term is only used for pedigree listing and not for casual conversations.
- Jerry. While this is very uncommon, I once heard at the vet that castrated male dogs are called ‘jerries’. This isn’t widely used and can be a made-up term of some owners since there is no specific linguistic designation for neutered dogs.
Please note that such terminologies on male dogs are used once they are adults. There are no linguistic designations for puppies, not unless they have reached adult age. All pups are called puppies, no matter what their gender is.
Male dog names vs. female dog names
What do you call a female dog? Similar to cats, the term for a female dog is ‘bitch’ or ‘queen’ when they are pregnant or nursing a litter. The term ‘bitch’ has a negative connotation so should not generally be used with other pet owners. It is used amongst pet professionals such as breeders and dog handlers competing in shows.
Like with male dogs, there are not so many terms used to designate female canines. There is no common term for spayed female dogs.
Most of the time, male dogs are just referred to as ‘dogs’ in casual conversations. My dog Sherlock and I have been in the dog park for so long, and I haven’t heard any owner talk about ‘sires’ and ‘studs’. So far, it’s only widely used by breeders, dog show enthusiasts, and pedigree listings.
What is a male wolf called?
A male wolf, a close cousin of canines, are called boars. Male wolves that lead the packs are called the alphas. Meanwhile, the second leader is called alpha’s mate, which can either be male or female. If the male wolf is one of the alpha’s trusted helpers, it’s referred to as ‘betas’.
After the betas, male wolves can also be called subordinates and omegas. Somehow, this ranking also applies to dogs, both male and female. Dogs descended from the wolf lineage, which is why it’s not surprising. Your male dog will also exhibit characteristics of alpha when it tries to be the top dog when raised with another canine.
Is it better to get a male or female dog?
Pet owners are divided about this because it all boils down to preference. Some say that male dogs are more challenging to housetrain because of their innate characteristics. However, based on my experience, male dogs are very affectionate. While it also depends on how you raise your pooch, both genders have their pros and cons.
If you’re confused as to what’s right for you, it’s worth noting that vets say that the dog’s gender has minimal bearing on their suitability as house pets. Beyond gender, what you should look for is the right breed personality that suits you. Regardless if it’s a female or a male dog, the pooch should suit your energy level, lifestyle, and preferred characteristics.
You have to factor in hormonal, behavioral, and physical differences as well when choosing a dog.
Are male dogs easier to train?
Male dogs tend to excel in sports, so it’s easy to think that they are easier to train than females. Still, there’s no clear-cut answer to this as it’s also a breed thing. For example, a female Golden Retriever is way easier to train than a male Pug. On the other hand, a male Labrador is more straightforward to train than a female Shih Tzu. If you want to get a dog that’s easier to train, you should look beyond its gender. Whether it’s male or female, you have to understand the canine’s intelligence level and habits.
Also, friendliness has a lot to do with the dog’s breed, not just whether it’s male or female. Still, it’s worth noting that studs could be more sensitive than a neutered male canine. This is due to the hormonal changes that a reproductive male dog experiences.
Are male dogs more clingy?
Some pet owners say that their male dogs are more clingy than female ones. Male dogs tend to be more demanding of attention and validation. But then again, it depends on the dog’s breed and how you raised it.
Also, there are misconceptions that male dogs are more drawn to male owners.
However, a study found that such a close relationship is between an anxious human male and an equally neurotic male dog. Such a study found that dogs will stay close to their owners, regardless if it’s male or female.
This behavior is rooted in dogs’ ancestry in the wolf lineage, where each gender takes different social roles.
Conclusion
What is a male dog called? The most popular is the stud, which refers to a reproductive canine. Another is sire when a stud finally produces a litter of puppies. Still, these terms are not widely used. Most male dogs are addressed as ‘dogs’, which is a straightforward term for most pet owners like me.
