Dog vs Bitch

[Silaria]

As others have said, it really depends on the dog. You really need to rely on your breeder to find the proper puppy, male or female, for what you are looking for.

The best thing you can do is discuss with the family exactly what you are looking for in your dog. Set aside color and gender, focus on traits you are looking for - for example willingness to work, high/low drive, "off" switch for when not working, good stable temperament, etc.

DEFINITELY talk to the breeder about your beliefs around spay/neuter because some breeders may not be comfortable with that, especially if they are strictly show breeders, so it's good to tell them upfront. Something else you need to consider, as someone else mentioned, is if you get a female, how will you handle heat cycles so as not to accidentally have a litter of puppies. This is also something you should be prepared to talk to the breeder about so they know you are going to do whatever possible to avoid 'oops liters'.

Long story short, rely on your breeder to guide you and your family to the right dog. A good breeder will want to place the right pup in the right home.

 

[Justicemom]

If your dog is stopping to mark, you have serious training issues. I've only ever seen dogs mark the tunnel, and usually it's a good long pee inside it, not a drive by.

I think what I've found the difference between the sexes is that the boys want to make you happy, the girls will make you happy if it pleases them.

We were taking about dogs working for people other than their owners in agility class tonight and something dawned me. My girls as opinionated as they are about what they like and want would work for anyone who had food or a toy.

My boys Justice and Birch won't work for anybody else but me. They both have the opinion of you're not my mom no matter what the reward might be.. Celtic is like that alittle but he can be talked into working for someone else.

I prefer boys. I don't mind girls but the seasons are a pain. I also don't like the challenging of my opinion when training that the girls seem to want to do. Some people like that challenge however.

 

[corbinam]

I tend to agree with the others that have posted here. Boys tend to care what we think, and the girls at least mull it over first BUT some of the most amazing dogs I've seen are bitches--so maybe it's that once we convince them that we have the same agenda, they have the potential to be even more amazing.

I say all of that and I have 2 boys and 1 girl. The only reason that I'm not sure I would get a girl again has nothing to do with performance. In fact, if she wasn't handler impaired I think she might have the most potential of the 3. But, I may not ever get a girl again because she is my heart dog and I wouldn't want to ever feel like I was comparing another girl to her in the future, it wouldn't be fair.

 

[Mom2Melli]

Out of my 6 former / current dogs I have had 2 females (among aussies, shelties, 1 lone shepherd mix). I really respect girls. I like their mature mind and how they base their interactions on mutual respect. It's truly like having a companion, an equal, and a best friend. I like that.

On the other hand, I have had 4 males and all have been perpetual children. They never really seemed to grow up and they adored me and the husband flat out, no questions. That's OK too.

As to physical convenience of heats and marking . . . that's a personal preference. As to not fixing, responsible ownership doesn't nec. mean fixing. So if you don't want to fix, then consider the incidence of pyo (they say 25% of females life long) versus testicular cancer (which you can catch and neuter before an issue). Just a thought there.

 

[corbinam]

As to physical convenience of heats and marking . . . that's a personal preference. As to not fixing, responsible ownership doesn't nec. mean fixing. So if you don't want to fix, then consider the incidence of pyo (they say 25% of females life long) versus testicular cancer (which you can catch and neuter before an issue). Just a thought there.

I guess I've been lucky. My boy (who is a total butthead ) would never dream of marking when we're working or when he's running. I think if they have the drive they're pretty unlikely to stop for stuff like that (and if you set those rules).

Also, on the other side of the coin, if you're thinking about agility, there are studies that also show some orthopedic concerns that increase with spay & neuter (patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, CCL ruptures). And on the flip side of the aforementioned cancer risks, the risk of hemangiosarcoma and bone cancer increases in altered dogs.

This is not meant to say that leaving dogs intact is the right answer--just showing that there are health concerns on both sides.

 

[Cara Sandler]

If your dog is stopping to mark, you have serious training issues. I've only ever seen dogs mark the tunnel, and usually it's a good long pee inside it, not a drive by.

I think what I've found the difference between the sexes is that the boys want to make you happy, the girls will make you happy if it pleases them.

I've actually seen dogs mark the tunnel, the weave poles (quite often, actually), the dogwalk, and a jump stanchon. I agree that it is a training issue, but an issue I didn't care to deal with ;-)

 

[SheepOfBlue]

Hard to say as I have guys but they are 180 out on personality. I am Sca's favorite by a long way but if I was not there he would do flyball for someone else with food. Sca is not a snuggler and likes petting but then has to go patrol. Sca thinks all dogs and people are his pals and is very laid back and overly nice. Spitfire cannot do flyball since he is so reactive and nervous. He is probably smarter than Sca but is very much Spitfire wants what Spitfire wants. Also if you are not on the list you are NOT allowed to pet. Though he is the snuggler and loves to get petted. He gets braver when Sca or I am there.

So I think personality varies as much within sex as between them.

 

[Fireweed]

There's another thread about this in the General forum and I listed my reasoning there. I've had a female, and now I have a male. I think I prefer my male just a tiny bit more because he's just SO cuddly and loving. My female was definitely more head strong but we had mutual respect. She was definitely more mature as well. My boy is a big goofball and I don't see that changing too much, though he is growing up quite nicely.

 

[Cubby2014]

Yep. I also did the same thing as Fireweed. I posted in that thread. Same as Fireweed, my boy is silly, goofy, cuddly, but brilliant and able to work well but my girl is my bestie and the only other adult in my home (including 2 boy dogs, a husband, and 2 cats). I would truly be lonely without her.

 

[MissyGallant]

I think I prefer my male just a tiny bit more because he's just SO cuddly and loving. My female was definitely more head strong but we had mutual respect. She was definitely more mature as well.

What is SO funny is that you literally couldn't find a dog that was more cuddly than my Bonnie. I think she would sit on my brain if she could have. Just crawl right up. And she wanted nothing more in life than to simply get belly rubs.