How to Determine Whether a Puppy Is Male or Female

Discovering the sex of your puppy is fairly straightforward, especially once you know what anatomical landmarks to look for! In this article, we’ll teach you how to determine if a puppy is a boy or girl in just a few simple steps. And, while it is fun to find out what the sex of your puppy is, we do want to advise that it’s best to wait till the puppy is at least 3 weeks old before giving them an examination, just for the safety of the puppy (and its mother).

How do you tell the sex of a puppy?

One of the easiest ways to tell the sex of a puppy is to examine the puppy’s rear end. A male puppy only has an anus, while a female puppy has a raised, fleshy, leaf-shaped area under the anus called a vulva.

Section 1 of 4:

Determining Your Puppy’s Sex

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1
Feel below the puppy’s belly button for a raised spot. Just like you, a dog has a belly button—it’s usually located almost at the center of the belly, just below the rib cage. ^{[1]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} If your puppy is male, there will be another small raised spot or “button” of flesh about an inch or so below their belly button. This is the prepuce, or sheath, of the puppy’s penis. ^{[2]
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- The prepuce also has a small hole at the center.
- There may be little wispy hairs around or in the prepuce.
- The belly button or umbilicus forms from the scar left behind after the umbilical cord falls off.
- If the puppy was born within the last few days, the umbilical cord may still be attached. Once the umbilical cord shrivels and falls off (which happens within a few days), there will be a little, slightly thicker scar left behind on the belly.
- Warning: Do not attempt to pull out or unsheathe a male puppy’s penis until the puppy is at least 6 months old. Dogs have an os penis or “penis bone.” You may damage the penis or penis bone if you attempt to forcibly unsheathe a young male dog’s penis.
If there's a raised bump beneath the puppy's belly button, the puppy is likely a male.
Unlike male puppies, female puppies have smooth bellies (other than their umbilicus scar). Females do not have a prepuce or a raised bump below their belly button. ^{[3]
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If the puppy's belly is smooth beneath the belly button, the puppy is likely female.

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3
Examine the puppy’s rear end for a fleshy mound. A puppy’s anus is located directly under its tail. If your puppy is male, you will only be able to see its anus. If your puppy is female, you will see a raised, fleshy area just under the anus. This is the vulva. ^{[4]
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- The vulva of a female puppy is small and leaf-shaped. It has a vertical slit. It is usually located almost directly between the puppy’s hind legs. The vulva may have some wispy hairs on it.
If the puppy has a leaf-shaped fleshy mound near the butt, the puppy is likely female.
4
Check for testicles if the puppy is 8 weeks old. Male puppies will have testicles, although you may not be able to feel or see them before they are 8 weeks old. ^{[5]
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Research source} If the puppy is 8 weeks or older, the testicles can be seen high up between the puppy’s hind legs. ^{[6]
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- When a male puppy is born, his testicles are inside his body. After 2 weeks, the testicles start to drop into the scrotum. Both testicles typically drop within 6 months. ^{[7]
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If the puppy has testicles after 8 weeks, the puppy is likely male.
5
Disregard that the puppy has nipples. Like humans and other mammals, both male and female dogs have nipples. These small bumps extend from the groin to the stomach and do not determine the sex of your puppy. ^{[8]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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- The number of nipples varies per puppy. Dogs typically have between 8 and 10 nipples.
If the puppy has nipples, the puppy could be a male or female.
6
Consult your veterinarian. Puppies should have their first set of vaccinations at around 6 weeks old. If you can’t figure out what sex your puppy is, your veterinarian can help you with this during a routine visit. ^{[9]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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- If you’re a breeder, you’ll typically want the puppy to see a vet within 3 days of being born for contractual purposes. ^{[10]
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  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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- A puppy’s first visit includes a weigh-in, body examination, and feces examination.

Section 2 of 4:

How to Handle a Newborn Puppy

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1
Pick up the puppy gently. Newborn and young puppies are very delicate, so make sure to handle them with care. Puppies can’t see or hear very well before they’re a few weeks old, so picking them up and holding them may make them nervous or fussy. So, when you do have to pick them up, do so gently and slowly. ^{[11]
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- Never pick up a puppy by its tail. Slide your hand under as much of the body as possible to offer the best support as you pick up the puppy.
- Handle puppies as little as possible during their first 2 weeks after birth. Over-handling them could upset the mother dog or harm the puppies. ^{[12]
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2
Hold the puppy in cupped hands. Lay the puppy in your hands on its back, with its paws in the air. Support the puppy’s whole body with your hands so you don’t stress their spine. Make sure not to squeeze the puppy. ^{[13]
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- When trying to determine the sex, it may be easier if someone else holds the puppy so you can do the visual inspection.
- You can also rest them on their backs on a warm towel spread on a table. This can help keep the puppy warm.
3
Work quickly when handling puppies. Newborn puppies cannot maintain their own body temperature for several weeks after they’re born and can get chilled very easily. ^{[14]
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Go to source} Aim to only hold the puppy for 5 to 10 minutes before returning them to their mother or warm bed. ^{[15]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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- Use a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel in the puppy’s bed to help keep it warm.
4
Notice if the puppy squirms. If the puppy shows signs of distress, such as squalling or squirming, put the puppy back with its mother or in their bedding immediately. ^{[16]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} As a general rule, it’s better to handle newborn puppies as little as possible.
- The mother may also become distressed if she isn’t used to you handling her pups. If you notice signs of her getting distressed, such as barking at you, put the puppy back with the mother.
- Contact your veterinarian if you’re concerned about the puppy (or their mother) for further guidance.

Section 3 of 4:

Is a boy or girl dog best for you?

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The best dog for you is one that matches your and your family’s wants and needs. At the end of the day, pick a dog that best fits your lifestyle based on temperament, energy levels, and physicality. Female and male dogs have many similarities, but they can also differ in size and personality. For instance, female dogs tend to be more sociable and smaller in size, while males are more protective and larger in size. Here are the leading differences between a boy and girl dog: ^{[17]
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- Male dogs have testosterone, which can cause roaming, mounting, and urine marking.
- Female dogs have ovaries and produce estrogen and progesterone, which can lead to heat cycles or vaginal bleeding (unless spayed).
- Males tend to be larger in size and weight when compared to females.
- Females tend to be more social, while males prefer alone time.
- Females are considered more trainable when compared to males. ^{[18]
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- Keep in mind that a dog’s breed, environment, and upbringing can play a big part in their personality and overall temperament.

Section 4 of 4:

FAQs

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At what age can you tell the sex of a puppy? You can typically tell the sex of a puppy once they’re 3 to 4 weeks old. It’s also important to wait this long before sexing the puppy because it gives the puppies time to develop. ^{[19]
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What determines the sex of a dog? The sex of a dog comes down to one thing: genetics. A dog’s sex is determined by their chromosomes (two strands that make up DNA. Every dog has two sex chromosomes—females having two X chromosomes and males having one X and one Y. ^{[20]
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- The father’s genetics determine the sex of a puppy, while the mother’s genetics determine the size of the litter. ^{[21]
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  Go to source}
- In recent years, breeders have experimented with the possibility of predetermining the sex of puppies in a litter by playing with the pH levels of the mother’s vagina. ^{[22]
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  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
3

How do you differentiate between a girl and a boy dog? Girl dogs have a flat belly with no raised bump below the belly button and a vulva opening near the anus. Boy dogs have a raised bump beneath the belly button and a scrotum between the hind legs (that becomes visible after 8 weeks). ^{[23]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

I want to make sure my tiny Shih Tzu is a girl, as some people say its a boy. How can I check?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

For a puppy, follow the information in the guide above. If the dog is adult things get a lot easier. Boys have some distinctive habits and anatomy, which should make it fairly obvious if he's male. Slide your hands between the dog's back legs and feel for the presence of two testicles in a scrotum. Does the dog cock his leg to urinate, as this is something female dogs don't do. Where is the location of the orifice from which he passes urine? For a boy (even a neutered male) this is the penis which is located underneath on his belly, whilst for the girls it is between the back legs.

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If possible, wait until puppies are at least 3 to 4 weeks old before trying to determine their sex. They will have had enough time to bond with their mother and develop a bit by then.

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Warnings

Over-handling a puppy in its first few weeks can cause its mother to reject the puppy. Do not handle a young puppy more than absolutely necessary. ^{[24]
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How to Determine Whether a Puppy Is Male or Female

How do you tell the sex of a puppy?

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Determining Your Puppy’s Sex

How to Handle a Newborn Puppy

Is a boy or girl dog best for you?

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Tips

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