Well… how do I explain this with out getting too graphic.
Primary sex characteristics are the main things that differentiate the genders, the plumbing that is unique to that gender.
The secondary characteristics differentiate the genders in areas that are common to both sexes. For example, both male and females have faces, heads, shoulders, hips, skeletons, etc., yet we most of the time you can just glance at a person and get a sense of their gender. Secondary sex characteristics translate to the feminine or masculine…with out the need to check the primary sex characteristics…i.e. the plumbing.
An example of poor secondary sex characteristics is when you see a dog and you are not sure if it is a male or female and you find you have to glance at the under belly to check for a more tell-tale sign to make a determination. Some breeds secondary sex characteristics are not important, such as Papillons, which is a toy breed. GSD secondary sex characteristics are important, they should have a distinct look of the masculine or feminine.
If you read some of the older posts on the blog you will see references to doggy-bitches (a female that looks like a male) and bitchy-dogs (a male that looks like a female).
Many of my girls have very strong heads. You will hear me refer to Allie as being a little doggy looking because of her big strong head. She is often mistaken for a male, except she does have a body of a female dog. If Allie were a human people would probably describe her as a “handsome” woman rather then a “pretty” woman.
I absolutely do not want to a bitchy male, yuck, boys must look like boys! I prefer a stronger head on my girls, I do not want them overly feminine looking. You need a strong female to produce big handsome males.
I give up — what are ‘secondary sex characteristics’?
I was wondering about the same thing. I love that pup in the last pic, too cute!
Well… how do I explain this with out getting too graphic.
Primary sex characteristics are the main things that differentiate the genders, the plumbing that is unique to that gender.
The secondary characteristics differentiate the genders in areas that are common to both sexes. For example, both male and females have faces, heads, shoulders, hips, skeletons, etc., yet we most of the time you can just glance at a person and get a sense of their gender. Secondary sex characteristics translate to the feminine or masculine…with out the need to check the primary sex characteristics…i.e. the plumbing.
An example of poor secondary sex characteristics is when you see a dog and you are not sure if it is a male or female and you find you have to glance at the under belly to check for a more tell-tale sign to make a determination. Some breeds secondary sex characteristics are not important, such as Papillons, which is a toy breed. GSD secondary sex characteristics are important, they should have a distinct look of the masculine or feminine.
If you read some of the older posts on the blog you will see references to doggy-bitches (a female that looks like a male) and bitchy-dogs (a male that looks like a female).
Many of my girls have very strong heads. You will hear me refer to Allie as being a little doggy looking because of her big strong head. She is often mistaken for a male, except she does have a body of a female dog. If Allie were a human people would probably describe her as a “handsome” woman rather then a “pretty” woman.
I absolutely do not want to a bitchy male, yuck, boys must look like boys! I prefer a stronger head on my girls, I do not want them overly feminine looking. You need a strong female to produce big handsome males.
Thanks for the explanation — and very well done for a ‘family blog’!
Nice picture of Regan and Ricco. You can really see the different in the heads.
Allie does produce handsome boys…but then again, maybe I’m biased!
Do I detect a longhair in this group? Looks like the pups enjoyed their company. Soon they will be the older sibs. Regan is very feminine looking.
The blue-coat has a very thick coat, I forget who said it was more like a pelt then a coat, but not a long-hair in the bunch.