  The level densities and radiative strength functions (RSFs) in 160,161Dy have
been extracted using the (3He,alpha gamma) and (3He,3He' gamma) reactions,
respectively. The data are compared to previous measurements on 161,162Dy. The
energy distribution in the canonical ensemble is discussed with respect to the
nucleon Cooper pair breaking process. The gross properties of the RSF are
described by the giant electric dipole resonance. The RSF at low gamma-ray
energies is discussed with respect to temperature dependency. Resonance
parameters of a soft dipole resonance at Egamma = 3 MeV are deduced.
