Doggy style

Doggy style, also known as rear entry, is a sexual position in which the receiving partner positions themselves on their hands and knees while the penetrating partner kneels or stands behind them. The name derives from the visual similarity to the mating posture of dogs, though it is one of the most natural and widely practiced sexual positions among humans.

The position offers several distinct physical advantages. The angle of penetration in doggy style tends to be deeper than in many face-to-face positions, which many people find pleasurable. The angle also allows for stimulation of the anterior wall of the vagina, where the G-spot is located, making it a popular position for people seeking this type of stimulation. For anal sex, the position provides comfortable alignment for both partners.

Variations of doggy style are extensive. The receiving partner can lower their chest to the bed while keeping their hips elevated, creating a steeper angle known as the face-down position. The receiving partner can also spread their knees wider or bring them closer together to alter the sensation. The penetrating partner can stand beside a bed where the receiving partner is positioned on all fours, creating a different dynamic of height and leverage.

Doggy style allows the penetrating partner to use their hands freely for additional stimulation, including touching the receiving partner's back, hips, or reaching around for clitoral or genital stimulation. The receiving partner can also reach between their legs for self-stimulation.

Some people particularly enjoy the visual and psychological aspects of this position, including the sense of dominance or submission it can evoke. Others appreciate the physical intensity and depth of penetration it provides. Communication about pace, depth, and comfort remains important, as the position allows for vigorous movement that could be uncomfortable without feedback.

Rear-entry sexual positions are among the oldest and most universally documented in human history. Depictions of this position appear in prehistoric cave art, ancient Mesopotamian cylinder seals, Egyptian art, Greek pottery, Indian temple carvings, and Japanese erotic prints, among many other cultural sources. Its prevalence across cultures and time periods reflects its status as a natural and intuitive human sexual position.

The English colloquial term 'doggy style' gained common usage in the 20th century, derived from the observation that the position resembles the mating posture of canines. While the term is informal and sometimes considered vulgar, it has become the most widely recognized English name for this position.

The Kama Sutra and other classical texts on sexual technique describe numerous variations of rear-entry positions, reflecting their importance in historical sexual practice. These traditions often gave the positions more poetic names and recognized them as distinct techniques with their own pleasures and purposes.