A very interesting question--one I have pondered off and on.
As far as I am concerned, men are not just "tolerated" in agility. I'd like to see more of them in the sport. I see more of them than when I first started, but most, as Ed noted, are part of a husband/wife couple doing agility. Another interesting point have seen quite a few women try to get their husbands involved in the sport, but with one exception, they have not lasted. It HAS to be THEIR idea.
This is all my opinion, but: I think a lot of it has to do what I call "the manly men" culture. Have worked in a profession dominated by men (law enforcement), I've noticed there is a code of conduct involved in being a "manly man." I think many men are swayed by what other men or society thinks of the activity. Football, yes! Embroidery, no . It takes a unique person to buck the tide. (Anyone remember Rosey Grier?). Also, if an activity is predominated by females, I think makes it less likely for other men to get involved in it---why are they doing something that mostly women do?
And perhaps the need for patience, nurturing, and the willingness to look foolish is part of the reason too. None of those are "manly." (I personally disagree!) And the competitive spirit is important. I read somewhere that humans are hardwired to "win" (both men and woman) as winning meant survival. Most men define "winning" as prevailing over someone else. The social aspect may be important too. Most women have friends to "talk" with. Mun have friends to "do" things with--sitting around and talking is not their cup of tea.
I realize these are stereotypes, but most stereotypes have some truth in them.
Another thing I have found interesting is that no matter the activity, even if men are in the minority, they end up in the supervisory positions. I wonder what the proportion of male judges to female judges is. I'd be willing to bet the proportion of men to women is higher than in the group of competitors.
As for men having predominately female dogs think that is a whole 'nother topic. I have a theory about that, and I think it's how we see ourselves in our relationshop to our dogs. Most people tend to favour one gender of dogs over the other, and I think it's a sort of anthropomorphization of the relationship in some aspects.
And what is your name, worldsbesjrt? Here's an example of how women predominate in the sport--when I first began reading I assumed you were a woman, as no name was supplied and it IS mostly women involved, until you made a comment that indicated you were a man.
