Using ‘His’ for a Male Dog
The possessive pronoun ‘his’ is commonly used to refer to a male dog. Just like ‘her’ is used for female dogs, ‘his’ is the appropriate pronoun to use when indicating possession or describing a male dog. Using ‘his’ recognizes the dog’s gender and is grammatically correct.
It’s appropriate to use ‘his’ when:
- Referring to a male dog’s name: “This is Max. I adopted him from the shelter last year. His name suits him well.”
- Indicating possession or belonging: “The dog was excited when I brought out his leash.”
- Describing body parts or attributes: “His ears perked up when he heard the doorbell ring.”
‘His’ is precise language that acknowledges the dog’s sex and follows traditional grammar rules. Using ‘his’ shows respect for the dog’s identity and avoids awkward phrasing. When writing or speaking about a male dog, ‘his’ is the most natural fit.
Grammatical Rules
Traditionally in English, the pronouns “he/him/his” have been used to refer to male animals and “she/her/hers” for female animals. Using “it” has generally been seen as demeaning or impersonal when referring to pets. So grammatically, referring to a male dog as “he” or “him” is considered correct pronoun usage.
However, more recently there has been a shift toward using “they/them/their” pronouns for pets, regardless of gender. This avoids assigning gender to animals unnecessarily and accounts for instances where an animal’s gender is unknown. Using the gender-neutral “they” to refer to a pet is now commonly accepted as grammatically correct.
Ultimately, either “he/him/his” for a male pet or the gender-neutral “they/them/their” are grammatically acceptable pronouns to use when referring to a pet dog.
Alternatives to ‘His’
Instead of using the pronoun ‘his’ to refer to a male dog, there are several alternatives that may be preferred in certain contexts. The most straightforward option is to simply use the dog’s name. For example, “Max’s collar was looking worn, so I bought him a new one.” Using the dog’s name avoids any ambiguity and keeps the language personal.
Another option is to use the article ‘the’ instead of a possessive pronoun. For instance, “I took the dog to the vet for his annual check-up.” This construction can work well when you want to avoid emphasizing possession or gender.
Using ‘their’ as a gender neutral singular pronoun is also gaining acceptance when the gender is unknown or irrelevant. For example, “The dog was thirsty so I refilled their water bowl.” This allows you to avoid assigning a gender to the dog when it doesn’t matter.
There are situations where alternatives to ‘his’ may be preferred, such as in formal writing where clarity is important, or when emphasizing the individuality of the dog. However, ‘his’ remains grammatically correct for referring to a male dog.
His vs. Her
The pronouns ‘his’ and ‘her’ are commonly used to refer to a male or female dog. ‘His’ is used when referring to a male dog, while ‘her’ is used for a female dog. For example:
“John walked his dog around the block.” (His is used for the male dog).
“Mary took her dog to the vet for a checkup.” (Her is used for the female dog).
Using ‘his’ and ‘her’ can help avoid ambiguity about the gender of the dog. The pronouns clearly distinguish that one dog is male and the other is female. This provides context for the reader or listener.
However, the use of ‘his’ and ‘her’ is not required. In many cases, simply using the dog’s name or saying “the dog” is sufficient:
“John walked Max around the block.”
“Mary took the dog to the vet for a checkup.”
So while ‘his’ and ‘her’ can clarify the gender of a dog, they are optional pronouns. The dog’s name or a gender-neutral term like “dog” often works just as well.
It vs. His
When referring to a male dog, some people prefer to use the pronoun “it” instead of “his”. However, there are some important considerations around when “it” may or may not be appropriate.
“It” is often used to refer to inanimate objects or non-human animals. So grammatically, it’s not incorrect to use “it” for a dog. However, many dog owners and trainers argue that referring to a dog as “it” is impersonal and can denote a lack of respect for dogs as sentient beings.
Dogs have distinct personalities like humans, and many form extremely close bonds with their human caretakers. So proponents of using “he/his” argue that gendered pronouns help recognize dogs’ individuality and honor the relationship. Additionally, gendered pronouns can assist in differentiating multiple dogs (“I fed him first, then I fed her.”)
However, others argue that dogs do not have any concept of gendered pronouns, so “it” is acceptable. Additionally, in some contexts like veterinary medicine, “it” may be preferred to maintain clinical objectivity.
Ultimately, whether to use “it” or “his” comes down to personal choice and context. Neither is grammatically incorrect. But in general, using “his” shows respect for dogs as sentient individuals. “It” may be reserved for formal or clinical discussions where detachment is required.
Respectful Language
When referring to pets, some owners prefer to use the pronoun “it” rather than “he” or “she.” This avoids ascribing a gender to the animal, which some view as more respectful. Pets do not have a concept of gender identity in the same way humans do, so applying gendered pronouns to them can seem unnecessary or even disrespectful.
Using “it” is seen by some as a way to acknowledge the pet’s autonomy and resist projecting human norms onto the animal. However, others argue this reduces pets to objects rather than living beings deserving of personhood. Views differ on whether gendered or non-gendered pronouns are more respectful for pets.
In general, using respectful language is important when discussing pets and animals. This involves being mindful of word choices and pronouns, and considering differing perspectives on what constitutes respect. Being thoughtful about language is one way we can recognize the sentience and dignity of the animals in our lives.
His Possessive Form
The possessive form ‘his’ is used to indicate that something belongs to or is associated with a male. For example:
- “The dog was chewing on his bone.”
- “John took his dog for a walk.”
- “The boy loved his puppy.”
In these examples, ‘his’ shows the bone belongs to the dog, the dog belongs to John, and the puppy belongs to the boy. Using ‘his’ clarifies who the owner is in a concise way.
The main thing to keep in mind is that ‘his’ should only be used when referring to a male. It would be incorrect to say “The girl loved his puppy” or “The woman took his dog for a walk.” In those cases, ‘her’ should be used instead.
Overall, ‘his’ is a useful possessive pronoun when referring to males. Just be sure the gender matches to maintain clarity.
In a Professional Setting
When referring to male dogs in a professional setting like a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, it’s best to use respectful and inclusive language. Using ‘his’ or ‘him’ to refer to a male dog may be grammatically correct, but it can come across as impersonal and cold in a professional environment where compassion is key.
Best practices are to use the dog’s name whenever possible, rather than pronouns. For example, “Buddy needs his vaccinations updated” would be better phrased as “Buddy needs his vaccinations updated.” This keeps the focus on the dog as an individual. If a name is not known, terms like ‘the dog,’ ‘the patient,’ or ‘your pet’ help maintain an appropriate level of professional detachment while still conveying warmth.
Staff at vet offices and shelters should be thoughtful about pronoun use, as misgendering a pet, even accidentally, can be upsetting for owners. Using gender-neutral language helps avoid assumptions. Vets may need to tactfully ask, “Is Buddy a boy or a girl?” if the pet’s gender is not known. Overall, professional environments call for clear, respectful communication about pets.
In Marketing and Media
The use of “his” and “her” in marketing and media when referring to dogs has evolved over time. In the past, it was more common to default to “his” when referring to a dog generically. However, there has been a shift towards gender-neutral language in recent years.
Books, TV shows, advertisements, and other media are increasingly avoiding the assumption that a dog is male by default. Instead, they use “their” and “the” as gender neutral singular pronouns. Some examples are saying “the dog” instead of “his master” and using phrases like “the dog’s collar” or “their leash.”
There has also been a push to balance the representation of male and female dogs in books, movies, ads, etc. Rather than mainly defaulting to male pronouns and names, content creators are making an effort to feature both genders equally. Brands are also moving away from marketing specifically to just “dog moms” or “dog dads.”
While formal style guides have been slow to move away from generic “he” pronouns, colloquial language is shifting. As societal views on gender evolve, language and media depictions of dogs are changing as well. Respectful representation is increasingly important to consumers and impacts purchasing decisions. Overall, the traditional assumption that a dog is male by default is fading.
Conclusion
In summary, ‘his’ is an appropriate possessive pronoun to use for a male dog in informal settings. When writing or speaking about a dog casually, using ‘his’ follows standard grammar rules and is the simplest approach. However, in professional or public-facing contexts, alternatives to ‘his’ may be preferred for purposes of inclusion and avoiding assumptions about gender, though some people argue using ‘it’ to refer to a dog is impersonal.
The main considerations around using ‘his’ for a male dog are:
- Using ‘his’ is grammatically correct when referring to a male dog in an informal setting
- ‘His’ may imply assumptions about gender roles and enforce stereotypes in professional settings
- Alternatives like ‘their’ or the dog’s name can be used instead in formal writing
- ‘It’ refers to a dog impersonally as an object rather than a living thing
- In marketing, media, or customer-facing content, using inclusive language is ideal
In conclusion, while saying ‘his’ for a male dog is technically correct, consider the context before defaulting to the masculine pronoun. With audience, tone, and purpose in mind, more inclusive alternatives may at times be preferable.