Boys Will be Boys

I prefer my boys over my girls any day 😌 don't get me wrong I love them all to bits...but oh boy a boy cuddles the best and are just as easily house broken as a girl despite the myths.

Some interesting bits...available on the internet put together.

Many people wonder if there are fundamental behavior and temperament differences in a male VS a female Yorkie. Some feel that a female may make for a better pet than a male. This conclusion is usually based upon inaccurate information and false misconceptions. Therefore, we feel this is an important topic to be explained.

Friendly

Yorkies are said to be friendly whether that new pet is a cat or different breeds they tend to come along peacefully. However, the majority would say that males are more friendly than females because of their characteristics of being more outgoing and more affectionate towards other pets.

South Africa We will take some of the common misconceptions of male VS female Yorkie behavior and discuss what we have actually experienced. In talking about the difference of the two genders, we will be speaking in terms of generalizations.  The overview of female and male Yorkie traits are like that of generalizations of female and male human qualities. For every generalization there are always exceptions. Personality It is a false belief that female Yorkies are sweeter and more affectionate that males. Male Yorkies are just as affectionate, lively and attentive as females.  Both genders seek your attention and are very attached to their owners. Sometimes males are a bit less moody (particularly when neutered) however this does not mean that a female will be moping around... if she is un-spayed, the heat cycle can bring about hormonal changes that can affect mood somewhat...She may want to rest a bit more, not be as active during certain days...or perhaps seem a bit distance... However this does not happen with all females, and either gender will display real emotions: happiness, displeasure, boredom, excitement, etc.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a very affectionate, loving dog that craves attention. One thing to keep in mind is that a female Yorkie may be more upfront in order to get her own way. This can be an endearing trait and certainly can be handled with a bit of proper training.

Sometimes a male may try to establish himself as the “Pack Leader” more often than a female. In either case, training should be implemented to show either gender who is truly (lovingly) in charge. And that is you, if you are wondering! Generally speaking, female dogs may usually come to you for attention (quite a lot!), but as soon as she has had enough, she will move away. The male dog may be more prone to always waiting for your attention and staying very close by to receive it. Submissive & Territorial Behavior It's a common misbelief that female Yorkies are more submissive than males. In the dog’s pack group (this is the group containing both human and canine family members), dogs of either gender will either be a bit stubborn via not listening and bossy or listen well and take direction based on how they are raised and trained. Both males and females can try to establish the pack order themselves. So a female can try just as hard as a male to take charge.  This can be addressed by implementing training to show that you are the true pack leader. A couple of ways to instill this is by having your Yorkie follow the sit command before eating and by the human being the one to enter and exit the house first.  Female dogs may be more independent and territorial than males, this may have to do with their "nesting instinct".  Though un-neutered males can be very territorial as well.  Beau, 10 month old male Photo courtesy of The Stewarts, Bonnie Auld Scotland 

Male vs Female Yorkshire Terriers in a Multiple Pet Household In regard to Yorkies and cats, there is no difference in how a male or female Yorkie will react. Surprising to many, is that this breed generally gets along very well with cats and some Yorkies are best friends with felines housemates. This should, however, always be tested when thinking about introducing a new pet into the house. In regard to having a male or a female and wondering which gender would be best when adding a second dog, there are pros and cons to both same and opposite gender.  Whenever you have two dogs of the same sex, this may create a competitive environment. This is particularly true if the dogs have not been fixed (spayed and neutered).  With two girls or two boys, there can be jealousy. This is less likely to happen if the Yorkies grow up together.  This isn't to say that this will happen or that it won't happen with opposite gender; however this is something to consider and keep in mind as a possibility. On the flip side of the coin, if you have a male or female Yorkshire Terrier and are thinking about getting another one, you will already have experience with the gender of your established dog... and this can make care of the second pet much easier. 

Molly 3 years old & Max 18 months Photo courtesy of Christian Jorgensen Male vs Female House Training There is absolutely no difference in the success of training a male or a female Yorkshire Terrier. No difference at all. Success depends quite a bit on the time, effort and patience that an owner dedicates to this.  There is, however, some difference in regard to marking behavior. Marking is not the emptying of the bladder, it is instead a quick spraying of urine to mark territory. Both females and males may do this; though males do tend to do it more often.  Dogs of both genders will completely cease or drastically cut down on this behavior if fixed.  As a side note, both gender may also display humping behavior and this as should go away after being spayed or neutered.  Care Costs Both genders require the same amount of grooming, therefore cost for grooming products, tools and so forth will be the same.

Since both female and males are very small dogs (there is little weight or size difference between the two genders) and either will typically range between 3 and 7 pounds (1.36 and 3.17 kg) both will eat the same amount of food, so cost in that regard will be the same. Both require yearly health checkups and health issues common to the breed are not gender-specific. The only real cost difference will be in regard to whether or not you have your Yorkie fixed. Neutering costs a bit more than spaying... and if an owner chooses to not have this done, for females there will be the cost of hygiene products such as doggie diapers and perhaps panties that are fit over those during the heat cycle.

Females VS. Males

Are female or male Yorkshire terriers better pets? Many people feel that a female Yorkie will make a better pet than a male. This conclusion is usually based upon false or inaccurate information.  When talking about the differences of the two genders, it is in terms of generalizations. The Yorkie traits are particular to that dog, every dog is different. Are female Yorkies sweeter and more affectionate that male Yorkies? NO, male Yorkies are just as affectionate, lively, and attentive as female dogs. Both males and female dogs seek the attention of their owners. Male dogs tend to be less moody when neutered than female dogs. No matter the gender, Yorkies are loving and kind in its nature.  All Yorkies are very affectionate, loving dog who craves attention. However your female Yorkie may try harder to get her own way. But this can be an endearing trait and can be handled with proper training. A male, however, may try to establish themselves as the “Pack Leader”.  But again, training should be implemented to show him who is truly in charge, YOU! Generally speaking, a female dog may come to you for attention, but as soon as she has had enough, she will move away. A male dog may be more prone to wait for your attention and staying very close by to receive it when ever your ready to give it. But both females and males want love, attention and seek to please their owners. Are female Yorkies are more submissive than male Yorkies? NO, females usually like to try and be in charge. Think about your home, though men say they are the boss, who really runs the house? Both males and females will try to establish the pack order themselves, and this can be addressed by training to show that you are the true pack leader! Mostly any dog just whats to know where they fit into the "pack". Female dogs may be more independent and territorial than males, this may have to do with their "nesting instinct". There is no difference between the males or females in regard to getting along with other dogs and pets.  Are female Yorkies easier to train than the males? There is absolutely NO difference in the success of training a male or a female Yorkie. All Yorkies aim to please! Do Female Yorkies display alpha behaviors such as “humping” and/or “marking”? Any gender of Yorkie may mark if they feel they have a reason to. In regarding to humping, a male may do this, where as a female most likely won't. How ever a female will go through a heat cycle where she will bleed and a male won't. Therefore, no matter which gender you choose, there will be issues. BUT spaying or neutering your dog will most likely eliminate both issues.         A quick summary No matter what gender, both the females and males are Yorkies!  This means that you will have a dog who loves attention, loves you most of all, wants to please you, is the perfect size for an indoor dog, will romp and play with your inside or out, and will be a loyal companion for their entire life. Be sure your ready to give them just as much as they are ready to give to you!