Sexism was more subtle in The Fox and the Hound but was still prevalent.  Copper’s two role models are males that teach him to hunt and be aggressive.  They want the puppy to follow in their footsteps as hunters.  They are enforcing hypermasculinity on Copper by secluding him from the rest of the world.  Tod’s two role models are females that teach him right from wrong, how to be compassionate and independent.  His master took him out to the woods to give him more independence and to be more in tune with nature.  Once he is in the woods, his male instincts take over and his masculinity is more evident.

Big Mama and Vixi, Tod’s female companion, have prominent eye lashes to distinguish them from the males.  A spotlight in the woods was perfectly showing off Vixi’s physical attributes when Tod first saw her.  She was sexualized as a fox through human characteristics with big shiny eyes and a curvy figure.  These are all stereotypes forced onto women from society.  He was asked to catch some fish for them to eat.  He was overly confident in fishing, although he had never done it before.  Vixi asks if he needs any help catching the fish, which he clearly needs, but declines her help.  His masculinity gets in the way of goal, to have something to eat.  Tod’s female master had many decorations outside the house and inside the house.  She had colorful flowers and paintings, giving the perception that females are artistic.  Copper’s male master had a dull house without flowers or decorations.  He was perceived to be very goal-oriented on hunting and selling animal hides.  During the fight with the black bear, Vixi is in need of protection from the bear and cannot help fight.  This reinforces the stereotype that women are not able to defend themselves and need saving from a male character.