You’ve made up your mind. You’ve got your heart set on an adorable Chihuahua. But now you’ve got to make the last important decision. The Chihuahua Temperament Male vs Female. What is the difference?

See, unlike a lot of breeds, there’s actually a pretty big difference when you’re talking about the difference in Chihuahua temperament male vs female. So knowing what you’re getting, especially with such a characterful and strong-willed breed, is essential.

Chihuahua Temperament Male vs Female

While it’s true that all dogs have individual personalities, there are definite trends in how they act. So, let’s learn what the differences between male and female chihuahua temperaments are.

Male Chihuahua Temperament

Strangely enough, male chihuahuas tend to be more loyal and affectionate than females. If asked, I’m sure most people would say it was the other way around. So, if you’re looking for a dog that’s going to lavish you with attention and constantly follow you around the house, maybe consider a male.

However, just because they’re more loyal and loving doesn’t mean there aren’t things you need to know about male Chihuahuas. Things like:

Dominance

A male is more likely to challenge your leadership, including ignoring commands, getting more aggressive when you go near ‘his things’ like toys or his bed, and just a general lack of respect.

Marking

It’s a fact of life when you own a dog. Sometimes they like to ‘mark’ their territory, or spray a tiny bit of pee against things, for the uninitiated. This is far more common with the unspayed male Chihuahua.

Humping

Whilst it’s not just males that hump, and even though it’s not only a sexual thing, male Chihuahuas will hump things a lot more than females.

Chasing Females

Female dogs in heat can be picked up by other dogs from up to 3 miles away. That means most of the time you won’t even realize why your dog is getting antsy.

If you have a male then when he comes of age, (around 6 months old) expect him to react like this. If there are any female dogs in the area, expect him to know.

Female Chihuahua Temperament

Conversely, female Chihuahuas are a lot calmer than males, and they’re more likely to relax and take it easy, especially around their owners. So, if you’re interested in a little lap dog that you can take everywhere with you, you’re going to want a female.

The fact that they’re calmer also makes females better in apartments and smaller houses because they’re less likely to get irritated about being cooped up inside with you.

There’s one major thing to think about when deciding whether to get a female Chihuahua.

Mood Swings

Pretty much every breed of dog shows mood swings. This is especially true when females go into heat. With female Chihuahuas, there’s less to worry about than there is with big dogs, but it can drastically change the mood of your dog.

It’s just something to bear in mind. Even the most gentle, well-behaved, and tolerant dog can get edgy and irritable when they go into heat.

General Behavior

There are a few things to consider about the general temperament of a Chihuahua, too. Most of these things are concerned with the way the dog is raised, rather than anything gender-based. However, it’s still an important consideration, especially if you’re worried about the temperament of your dog.

The First Few Weeks

How a puppy is socialized and handled in the first few weeks of its life can make a big difference in how they grow up.