Do Homosexual Dogs Really Exist?

The question about dogs' sexual orientation likely comes to an owner's mind after discovering their dog mounting, or being mounted by, another male dog. But not every mounting sequence has to do with reproduction.

When it comes to sexuality, we tend to fall into the trap of comparing canine behavior to human behavior. In other words, we humanize dogs. Below, we settle the question.

Canine Homosexuality

The Real Academia Española defines homosexuality as an erotic inclination toward individuals of the same sex. Eroticism, in turn, is defined as sexual love or pleasure, or as the quality of what excites sexual love. But there are a couple more concepts we should know to hypothesize about possible canine homosexuality.

These are sexuality, which the RAE explains as sexual appetite, and reproduction, which the same Academy defines as the action and effect of reproducing or being reproduced. With all these concepts in mind, let's now look at canine behavior in this area.

Sexual Behavior and Reproduction in Dogs

Male dogs don't have a defined heat period the way females do, who are only receptive during certain periods that occur roughly every 5-6 months. Males, on the other hand, can reproduce whenever they detect a female in heat. And that's the key point.

If in humans we talk about sexuality and intimate relationships can happen at any time, regardless of reproduction, and with an emotional component involved, in dogs the sexual drive is purely reproductive.

In males, it's only triggered in the presence of hormones from a female signaling she's receptive for mounting and subsequent reproduction, perpetuating the species' genes. So, as we can see, it's not accurate to humanize dogs in this regard, since their behavior isn't comparable to ours.

My Dog Mounts Other Dogs

Seeing a male mount another male isn't synonymous with being homosexual. It's also common to see them mount cushions, their bed, other animals, or human legs. Mounting another dog can even happen by the head.

Mounting isn't only a behavior linked to sex hormones. This behavior in animals has been linked to dominance, but also to reinforcing social bonds within a group or between individuals.

It's relatively common to observe this mounting behavior, which can also happen between females, in puppies with playful intent, or, at any age, in dogs needing to release energy. It's also worth noting that mounting can feel pleasurable, which reinforces the behavior and encourages repeating it.

Do All Dogs Mount Other Dogs?

This mounting of anything they find is more common in males we could consider "teenagers." These are individuals starting to feel the effects of sex hormones, which can also cause behavioral changes, making them more disobedient and prone to fighting with other males.

What Do I Do If My Dog Mounts Others?

Generally, an occasional mounting behavior isn't concerning. But if it keeps repeating, bothers people or other animals, or is a sign of stress, then it's worth stepping in. The best way to prevent this kind of mounting is to stop it as soon as it starts. To do this, you can call your dog away if you're outside and it's started mounting another dog.

Likewise, if it mounts your leg or a family member's, we'll need to interrupt the behavior and simply walk away. We can try redirecting its attention to another game, but if it persists, we need to cut it short. After repeating this same sequence several times, we'll gradually weaken that behavior.

We can reward all its positive behaviors so it knows where to direct its energy. If the mounting signals stress, check its living conditions, and if there's no improvement, consult a canine behavior professional or ethologist. Of course, neutering is recommended as part of a responsible approach for both females and males.

Bibliography Morris, Desmond. 1988. Dog Watching. Barcelona: Plaza & Janés.