Can dogs be gay? Or is it simply doggy dominatrix?

So growing up we used think it was oh so funny when our dog would -- with absolutely no shame -- begin humping one of my dad's business associates, a family friend, or even the neighbor's infant just learning to walk.


For the most part we assumed that dogs, like people, might have gay tendencies as they didn't seem to discriminate based on gender -- females humped females, males humped males . . . . oh the doggy decadence of it all! 


The truth of the matter is that in the dog world, humping is not purely about sexual stimulation and procreation -- it can also be about dominance.  When a non-neutered males does the dirty dance with an unspayed female in heat, that is indeed about making babies.  However, when you see all the other various "love" connections taking place, this is simply one dog telling the other who's boss. 


So while it might be somewhat embarrassing when your dog attaches itself to an extremity of a friend or family member and epitomizes the term "ride-em-cowboy," just be glad this animal behavior is limited to our four-legged friends!


Post-script:  Imagine my dismay when I found my dog humping himself.  What's that about?  Stay tuned. .