Doggy style is a favorite in the bedroom for many people, and we think that’s for good reason! This position can be performed by both straight and LGBTQ+ couples, making it one of the most popular sex positions worldwide.

What is the doggy style position?

In doggy style, the receiving partner—who is on their knees leaning forward—receives the penis, dildo, or vibrator from the penetrating person standing or kneeling behind them. If the receiving partner is a woman, both vaginal and anal penetration are possible.

In this position, the receiving partner (usually a woman) has little control over the sex, while the giver has more control and can choose a fast, deep, or hard penetration.

This dominance for the giving partner is also the main reason why not everyone enjoys this position equally. However, the receiving person can also take some control by determining the depth and speed of the session.

Where does the name doggy style come from?

The origin of the name doggy style actually needs little explanation. The name of this position is simply derived from the way dogs mate and is commonly known as ‘doggy style’ or ‘on all fours’.

The Latin name for this popular position is actually ‘coitus more ferarum’, which means ‘sex like animals do’. This explains why this position has a name referring to animals in many languages, though not necessarily to ‘dogs’ in every language.

Benefits of the doggy style position

• In doggy style, the penetrating partner has a great view of the receiving partner’s body. Their hands and arms are also completely free, allowing them to provide extra manual stimulation to the receiving partner’s clitoris, penis, or nipples.
• For some women, doggy style is the best position for clitoral stimulation. This is because the man’s penis (or a vibrator) can thrust deep into the vagina, all the way to the cervix. A great way to reach climax!
• Not only can the giver provide extra manual stimulation in this position, but the receiver can also masturbate with their fingers.
• This position is also extra pleasurable for the man as the giver, because the glans is stimulated and the penis can penetrate even deeper.

A few disadvantages

• In doggy style, kissing or looking your partner directly in the eye is difficult, which can sometimes make this position feel distant. Receivers sometimes feel a bit submissive in this position due to the lack of eye contact.
• In doggy style, the receiver has little control over the penetration during sex and is essentially ‘taken’ and controlled by the giver. For some, this means there is too little romance in this sex position.
• Yes, it’s true… Doggy style can be painful for women if the man has an exceptionally large penis, or if the woman has a sensitive cervix or anus (in the case of anal sex).
• Doggy style doesn’t offer direct clitoral stimulation, which makes it difficult for some women to climax in this position, but fortunately, that’s not the case for every woman!

Tips for doggy style

• Using a mirror, the receiving partner can see the giving person. This allows for eye contact and can bring more romance to the position.

• During sex, the giver can massage the receiving person’s back, for example. This can provide extra stimulation on top of the penetration.

• To give the receiver more control in this position, they can hook their legs into the giver’s. This can make doggy style feel less distant.

• In the doggy style position, it’s easy to use sex toys for extra stimulation. A clitoral vibrator, in particular, is a valuable addition to ensure both partners enjoy themselves to the fullest.

• A lubricant for vaginal penetration, and certainly for anal sex, makes doggy style even more pleasant and comfortable.

Variations of the doggy style position

Always using the same positions in bed can get boring. Fortunately, there are some fun variations of doggy style. Discover them below!

• The Spoon Rack: Both partners must kneel for this. During this position, the giver (the person behind the receiver) must support themselves with their hands on a higher surface.
• Heavenly Stairs: For this variation, the person receiving must kneel on a step, while the giver sits a few steps lower behind the receiver and penetrates them vigorously from behind.
• The Turtle: the receiver lies on their stomach while the giver lies on top with their legs on either side of the receiver. The giver supports themselves on their arms and penetrates the receiver.
• Terrain Exploration: this variation is very similar to ‘the turtle’, but in this case, the giver’s legs must be between the receiver’s legs.
• Standing Doggy Style: the receiver stands upright and supports their upper body on a (kitchen) table. The man stands behind them and penetrates the receiver from behind.
• Higher Doggy: in this variation, the receiver leans on their hands and feet instead of their hands and knees. If this position is performed with a female receiver and she keeps her thighs closer together, her vagina becomes tighter.

So, now you know exactly what doggy style is, what the pros and cons of this position are, and what the best variations are. Have fun!