Yeah, I was having this issue with my sabertooth, Yippi. I was debating and doubting if should had a Mane because the manes that were listed didn't necessarily matched with the one on the picture. But point being, I can see where you're going with "bald" characters. Then again, without the mane, it does point out some realism. For example, female wolves. Female wolves does not have manes, as well as males. But then again, if they were to have manes, I would say male wolves would win. Anyway, really speaking I think it would be better if the female wolf/character was to not have a mane. Like, my character: Charity. She doesn't have one and looks really pretty.
It depends really and the style of the character.