Doggy style

This article is about the sexual position. For other uses, see Doggy style (disambiguation).

Not to be confused with Dogging (sexual slang).

A doggy style position

Doggy style, also spelled doggie style, is any sex position in which a person bends over, crouches on all fours (usually on hands and knees), or lies on their abdomen, for sexual intercourse, other forms of sexual penetration or other sexual activity. Doggy style sex is a form of a rear-entry position, the other being with the receiving partner lying on the side in the spoons sex position. Non-penetrative sex in this position may also be regarded as doggy style sex. Between sex partners, the person in the doggy style position is passive or submissive, while the other partner is active or dominant. The passive partner is open to a variety of sexual activities, with the active partner being able to penetrate the vagina, the anus during anal sex, or being in a position to perform oral sex (cunnilingus, fellatio or anilingus).

History and etymology

Ancient Roman oil lamp depicting doggy style position

In ancient Rome, this practice was known as coitus more ferarum, Latin for "sexual intercourse in the manner of wild beasts". The specific origin of the term doggy style is not known, but is presumably a reference to the initial position assumed by dogs when mating. It is described in the Kama Sutra as the cow position or the congress of a cow, and is listed in The Perfumed Garden.

Practices

A man and woman engaged in a doggy style position; two men engaged in a doggy style position

The posture adopted by the receiving partner resembles lordosis behavior – a physical posture seen in many female mammals, often when they are ready for sex/mating, the primary characteristic of which is a ventral arching of the spine. During vaginal penetration from behind, the penis may penetrate deeper into the vagina, reaching preferential contact with the posterior wall of the vagina and probably reaching the posterior fornix; while in the missionary position, it is in preferential contact with the anterior wall of the vagina and the tip of the penis can reach the anterior fornix.

The active partner may also massage or stimulate the receiving partner's erogenous zones, such as the genitals, nipples, buttocks, or administer a playful spank to the buttocks, or introduce a sex toy, such as a dildo or vibrator, into the vagina or anus. The doggy position may be erotic or sexually provocative for participants.

Confirming its popularity, in 2015 a poll of 2,157 British men and women found that regionally, doggy style was favored by the Welsh.

Advantages and disadvantages

Doggy style sex is a less physically demanding sex position and may be a preferred sex position if either partner has back issues or some other medical conditions.

Doggy style sex has advantages and disadvantages. In a doggy style position, a woman may feel exceptionally vulnerable, which some women find arousing in itself; while others consider doggy style sex unromantic. For some women, doggy style sex offers stimulation of an area that may be termed "the G-spot". However, this position may offer only minimal stimulation of the clitoris, so some women may require manual stimulation to achieve orgasm.

The position is considered by some to be less intimate because eye contact and kissing are more difficult. According to one book, many established couples find doggy style sex relationship-affirming, as it requires and implies a level of trust and a surrender of control by the receiving to the active partner.

See also

• Animal roleplay
• Pegging