induced shedding  process) with each heat cycle. While males blow coat as well in  reaction to a change in season, it is much less noticeable than what  occurs with an intact female. By the time that spaying, which would  reduce the dramatic shedding of the female, became commonplace, it  had become tradition to use a male in the role. Additionally, it was  believed that males, who often outweigh their female counterparts by  as much as fifteen pounds, would look more impressive on film.