Male VS Female

[Dutchringgirl]

In another post, Stephanie mentioned she would rather have males over females. To me this poses an interesting question. Why? I have seen this in other breeds of dogs as well where people preffer one sex over the other. . I have always had female dogs. I grew up with Bassets. Our first male was awesome ! He did run away all of the time, but they are hunting dogs so he didnt really run away as much as just follow a scent and before he knew it he was on the other side of town. Then we had all female BH. They never left the yard, and it wasnt fenced. One would just go to the tennis courts and bring back all of the tennis balls. All of my own personal dogs were also females. While doing Ring, I noticed the females were smaller than the males , so that is a big pro for me. Just wondering why people choose a male or female.

[feraloup]

I'm actually one of those people who doesn't have a really powerful preference for one over the other... I have had males and females, and I wasn't more or less bonded or attached to one over the other, and both have their inherent pluses and drawbacks.

I don't know if a large part of this may be because several of my animals chose or found me, as opposed to me going out and actively seeking or selecting an individual out of a menu of options?

My childhood GSD was a surprise gift from my parents when I was 7. A female, Heidi.

My second dog, Cory, was a female GSD that I found running loose, and cared for until I was able to locate and reunite her with her actual humans about a week later. Then a week after that, they offered her to me for keeps.

Cedar, my male Rottie/Pitbull, I met during an outreach program for a local no-kill shelter that was being hosted at a Pet Supply store I worked for at the time. He was a hard-luck case and had been at the shelter for many months, and I was so charmed by him during the time I interacted with him during that day, I ended up going through the adoption process to have him join Cory and I. So while I technically did actively seek to acquire him, it's not as though I'd gone to a shelter with the goal of seeking out a companion, it was circumstance that caused he and I to meet, and it was him, himself, who captured me as I'd managed to resist all the other cute sweeties who came through our store on these periodic adoption-days that several area shelters rotate through at that location. It was one of those shocking revelation moments of, "Oh... Crap... You're... why... you're mine, aren't you? $h*t...I hadn't really expected this, but you seem to know it already and I can't argue the point and I guess I'd better fill out this paperwork here, huh?"

Maiyou, my female pitbull/New Guinea Singing Dog, I picked up at a gas Station in Ohio on my way home from a martial arts training festival. I already had Cory and Cedar, and didn't want or need a 3rd dog, but I couldn't, in good conscience, leave the hapless 4week old pup there in those circumstances, and so resigned to foster her until she was old enough before finding her a good home with someone, I took her in. Yeah, we all know how that worked out... She's 12, now, she turns 13 in August, and she's still with me.

Durango was a retired stud doberman from the breeder I rented an apartment from and worked for, and was in love with and already considered basically mine for all intents and purpsoses, as I handled most of his care and he lived with me whenever they were away. When the breeders were, themselves, retiring and moving away due to family health matters, and selling and/or adopting out their remaining dogs, he was to have become officially mine. He passed away, peacefully, in the laps of myself and my friend Kristel, before that official exchange of legal ownership occured, but I still consider him to have been one of "mine."

Moko is the only dog where I specifically, intentionally selected for a chosen gender. And this was more for Maiyou's sake than for any personal preference of mine for a male dog versus a female dog. I just felt that she would be more comfortable and less competetive if the new pup was the opposite gender.

[LyonsFamily]

Part of it is appearance, part of it is behavior/personalities. Males tend to be bigger, more muscular, and have larger heads, in my experience. For some reason I'm a sucker for very large sculls. Have you seen Odin's noggin? I also don't like the dainty curvy look most females have.

Behavior wise, I've experienced females as more pushy, bossy, and well, bitchy. I love the phrase "they don't call them bitches for nothing." All of the males I've had were goofy and big time cuddlers, and a bit hard headed, all of which I like, but they might be a detriment for some. The females I've been around demand to cuddle when they want and go do their own thing a lot of the time, but focus more easily during training.

I also like to keep dogs intact whether it's for conformation or health reasons and females in heat are just annoying. I can train out and mange marking, humping, etc, but cycles just aren't preventable without some sort of short or artificial means.

Of the 4 setters that I was showing, that now all live with my parents, the female runs the show. She is the only one that sleeps until 2pm, pushes the boys off the bed at night, and takes all of the toys and bones when the boys aren't looking. She prefers to go outside alone often, and will only play if she's the one to initiate.

Of course, these are just generalizations that I've witnessed and it can depend on the lines/breeds as well. Larger breeds tend to have more of what I identify as masculine females and Shepherds are more people focused as a whole. I may get a female Dutchie some day because Odin prefers the company of the ladies and I think opposite sex pairs are often the best option when getting multiple dogs.

[Sugars Mom]

Interesting topic...my answer is simple...we prefer females 'cause when they pee (mark) its directed down on the ground rather then ON something (sprayed across 'cause they've lifted their leg). Can't tell you how many times I've seen male dogs pee ON a chair, ON a bar-b-q, etc

[johninny]

males are happy and goofy. on Friday night I had a head-strong, REALLY pushy, newly-rescued female [ not DS] with no sense of humor do enough damage peeing downward.

[alspyce]

I Always prefer Females, No matter what the breed.
I have owned males, but most of them lived in other homes and they came back here for shows/breeding.
Sometimes I think it has more to do with the humans personality, how they interact and what expectations they have, when there are preferences as to the dogs sex.

[Dutchringgirl]

LOL. Loved your answers !! When I had my horses, no way was I going to own a filly !! Only because of their seasonal stuff. I had friends mares and mares in training and oh what a pain!!! I had a mare for sale in my barn once who was amazing, except for in season. She would not move ! My parents always chose the BH pups and always went for females. Good point though about the dog choosing us. I believe in that alot. My own first dog was given to me by my horse trainer, she was a pit/rott mix. His wife had a JRT and of course, the wifes dog would stay, so I took Molly. She enjoyed her life on the farm with days of chasing mice and sleeping in the sun. Thalie chose me too, we had a blast doing ring and now she can (think about) eating al of the deer poop she wants. Sadie Most Defiantly chose me !!! If she didnt, she would have been Thanksgiving dinner before the first year was up. So, so far my dogs have been females. I do like the dainty feminine look though as well. Thalie is definatly the dainty female, Sadie, well, not so much LOL. My male Mal was typical male, he chose us too, was like you guys have described. Super goofy, snuggly, loving, and when it came to bite, boy did he pack a whollop !!

Your right too Chris, If we are allowed to choose the dog, we will try to match our own personality to the dog.

[Lauren]

We have one of each and I love their differences. I prefer my females smaller size and sassy attitude. You can not wipe the smile off of her face. You can't. It makes it hard to discipline her because she is totally nonplussed. She is also less likely to follow house rules. I actually like her bitchyness, but the seasons are a pain. She makes over everyone and demands their love.

The male is gorgeous with his big ole' head and loverboy eyes. He is a bit more stubborn, serious and he follows rules better. If you are not his family, he really has no need of you or your approval. They are both big time cuddlers.

I think you need to have at least one of each so you don't have to choose.

[susanna]

nice topic.

My first dog was germanshepherd mix,male. Stubborn,badass,didnt like cudding.
Second dog of mine where malinois-cattledog mix. Easy dog,no head of its own, tought headed,male.

Now my DS is female. Likes cudding,always. Bigger than males I have met,so no show material. And marks also peeing like a male outside. Challenges humas,other dogs often,and is really bossy and cunning.

What comes to heat, then its more aggressive,no more difference. Stays yard and dont run away,even the heat,and after.

Choosing dogs is not sex-issue for me,had always been shelter dogs.