Otis found this cool site all about dogs and dog breeds, which is one of the best I've ever seen. On it is this great list of different characteristics that male and femal dogs typically exhibit.

* Female dogs tend to be more subtle than males. They're affectionate on their own terms. They'll request or demand petting, then reassert their independence by walking away when they've had enough.

* Female dogs tend to be quicker to learn and are not as easily distracted during training sessions.

* Female dogs are less likely to be openly defiant or to engage in blunt power struggles or dominance challenges -- yet they can be clever, passively resistant, and manipulative about getting their own way.

* Female dogs are prone to mood swings and emotional theatrics. They can be sweet one day (or one hour!) and grumpy the next.

* Female dogs are experts at The Dirty Look and The Sulk.

I've never had a male dog, so I can't tell you if the male characteristics are accurate. I can tell you that Abi exhibits every single one of these female characteristics. Especially the last one.

I can also tell you that if you replace the word 'dogs' with 'humans', the characteristics will still apply.