Determining the sex of an adult dog is easy, but it gets more complicated when dealing with puppies in the first 6 months of life. The belly and the area between the hind legs must be carefully observed. Some behaviors can also provide clues, but they are far less reliable than physical observation.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Examine the Physical Attributes
Step 1. Wait a few weeks
It becomes easier to determine a puppy's sex as they grow up. Wait at least 3 to 4 weeks to increase your chances of getting a correct analysis.
- It will be even easier after 8 weeks when the genitals of the male puppies are clearly visible.
- Also, handling puppies under 3 weeks of age too much could leave your scent on the dog, thus masking his. If a puppy smells too much of a human, the mother may reject it.
Step 2. Handle puppies carefully
They are very delicate, so you will need to be especially cautious when touching them.
- Also make sure mom is okay with you touching her puppies. Some mothers can get aggressive if a stranger approaches the litter, so it's always best for someone from the family to do the check.
- If the puppy or mother gets nervous while handling them, you should take the baby back to the mother and try again at another time.
Step 3. Keep the puppy warm
You should get checked in a heated area to prevent your little one from catching a cold. Puppies can get sick easily if they catch cold.
- For the same reason, you will only need to keep the puppy for 5-10 minutes. Otherwise it could get too cold.
- If your puppy starts to shiver, bring him back to his mom right away or put him in a warm bed.
Step 4. Lay the puppy on its back
Spread a clean, soft towel on your work surface. Gently lift it and lay it on the towel face up.
- The towel should also be warm. If necessary, put it in the dryer for a few minutes before putting the baby on it. Do not use cold, hot or wet towels.
- Alternatively, you can examine the puppy's underside as you hold it flat on its back in your joined hands to form a cup.
Step 5. Look for the puppy's masculine attributes
You should be able to identify the puppy's penis and scrotum by examining the belly.
- If the baby still has the umbilical cord, look for the penis about 1 cm behind the cord. In the first few weeks of life, the penis will look like a small protruding lump in the center of the belly.
- Gently lift the dog's hind legs to see the anus. The scrotum should be right below the anus, between the hind legs. After 8 weeks of age, the testicles should be inside the scrotum.
Step 6. Look for the female attributes of the puppy
If it is a female, you should locate the vulva while the dog is on his stomach.
- Gently lift your hind legs until you see the anus. Under this, between the legs, you should see a leaf-shaped structure. This is the dog's vulva.
- Unlike males, females do not have genitals on their bellies.
Step 7. Avoid common mistakes
When trying to determine a puppy's gender, there are a few mistakes you can make, especially if you're a novice.
- Both males and females have nipples, so don't think the puppy is female just based on this factor.
- Don't confuse the puppy's navel with the penis. Both look like small bumps on the dog's belly, but the navel (i.e. where the umbilical cord was cut) will be located just below the rib cage. Also, both sexes will have one bump, as they both have a navel, but male puppies will also have a second one between the navel and paws.
Part 2 of 2: Highlighting Behavioral Differences
Step 1. The way you urinate will differ only after the first few months of life
Before that, puppies will urinate the same way, regardless of gender. How the dog urinates will only become a reliable yardstick for determining sex after the first 6 months of life.
- During the first few weeks, puppies are unable to control bowel movements or urination.
- Even when they are strong enough to stand up and control their bodily needs, all puppies will crouch down to pee for the first two months. Many males take 4 to 6 months to learn to urinate like an adult dog.
- After 6 months, most males will raise their paw to pee, while females will continue to squat.
Step 2. Check if the puppy tends to mark territory
After a few months, the males will begin to mark the territory. Females, on the other hand, do not have this habit.
- The need to mark territory will be particularly strong in puppies that have not been neutered. Castration drastically reduces this need.
- The precise age at which the dog will begin marking territory varies from puppy to puppy, but most start between 2 and 6 months. Some may start before learning how to lift their paw to pee.
- Observing the dog carefully will allow you to understand if he is just urinating or if he is marking the territory. A dog who pees quickly in many different places is probably marking, especially if he urinates after long sniffing the place. Dogs that pee once or twice typically aren't tagging, even if they stop repeatedly to smell different spots.
Step 3. Keep in mind that females go into heat
The female dogs that have not been spayed will go into heat twice a year. The first heat usually occurs between 6 and 10 months of age.
- Females in heat will produce vaginal discharge. You can use panties, but it's usually best to keep your dog in a specific place during the heat period that you can clean up later.
- Each heat will last about 3 weeks.
Step 4. The affected factor is not decisive
Both males and females can be equally affectionate, so this characteristic is a function of the dog's character rather than its sex.
- However, females have a tendency to show more affection towards their owners by licking them, unlike males. This is the result of the female instinct to care for other members of the pack. The licks will be energetic and precise.
- Puppies who lick only occasionally are showing a momentary surge of affection rather than an instinct to care for others. Therefore, it is a behavior that you can expect from both males and females.
Warnings
- Before examining your puppy, wait until it is really necessary. Handling a puppy too much can cause mistrust of the puppy. It also increases the risk of your little one catching cold and getting sick.
- Newborn puppies are very delicate, so you should handle them with extreme caution. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before taking one. Also make sure you don't have cold hands. While handling it, be very gentle and careful to avoid unpleasant accidents.
