Published in Animals, the study by Saara Junttila, Salla Huohvanainen, and Katariina Tiira examined how sex and neutering status influence inhibitory control and social cognition in domestic dogs. Despite long-recognized behavioral differences between males and females, few studies have explored how these differences extend to cognition or whether reproductive hormones play a significant role.
The researchers analyzed data from 1,032 pet dogs, using two established cognitive tasks. Inhibitory control was measured with the cylinder test, which requires dogs to suppress the impulse to reach directly for a visible reward behind a transparent barrier. Social cognition was evaluated using the unsolvable task, where dogs must choose between persisting independently, seeking human help, or abandoning the challenge.
The results revealed clear sex-related differences. Female dogs performed significantly better in the cylinder test, demonstrating stronger inhibitory control. During the unsolvable task, females also displayed more human-directed behavior, such as gazing at the experimenter, indicating a more cooperative or help-seeking strategy. In contrast, males showed higher levels of independent behavior, suggesting greater impulsivity and a more self-reliant approach to problem solving.
Importantly, reproductive status had no measurable influence on either cognitive task. Neutered and intact dogs performed similarly across all measures, indicating that circulating sex hormones do not substantially shape these cognitive differences. Instead, the authors propose that sex differences likely emerge during early developmental stages.
Overall, the findings highlight that female dogs tend to be more behaviorally regulated and socially attuned during problem-solving situations. These insights deepen our understanding of canine cognition and underscore the need to consider sex-based variation when interpreting dog behavior, designing training programs, or evaluating working-dog performance.
Source: Junttila, S., Huohvanainen, S., & Tiira, K. (2021). Effect of Sex and Reproductive Status on Inhibitory Control and Social Cognition in the Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris). Animals. Published August 1, 2021.
