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Section II: Going to the Dogs
(Or Cats)

28. Are male dogs more protective than females?

Unlike the case with humans, female dogs are more dominant than males. That doesn’t mean a male dog is not protective, because the dog is a pack animal and pack animals collaborate in defending members and in defending their territory. But a female dog is likely to take the lead in defense.

Come to think of it, I’ve had a female corgi do her Defender of the Realm act when a workman entered the house, while a large male retriever emitted an alarm bark but hung back through the whole encounter.