What Is the Correct Pronoun to Use for a Dog? | Guide to Dog Pronouns

Learn which pronouns to use for dogs based on gender and context, including he, she, it, and singular they for neutral references.

264 views

The pronoun for a dog generally depends on the relationship with the speaker. If the dog's gender is known and you're referring to it personally, 'he' or 'she' may be used. However, if the dog's gender is unknown or if you prefer a neutral approach, 'it' is commonly used. In recent times, some pet owners and writers use 'they' as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun for animals whose gender is irrelevant or unknown.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What pronoun should I use if I don't know the dog's gender? If the dog's gender is unknown, it is common to use 'it' or the singular 'they' as a gender-neutral pronoun.
  2. Can I use 'they' as a pronoun for my dog? Yes, many pet owners and writers use the singular 'they' to refer to dogs when the gender is irrelevant or unknown.
  3. Is it correct to use 'he' or 'she' for dogs? If you know the dog's gender and want to personalize your reference, using 'he' or 'she' is appropriate.