Okay I knew once I wrote the “gold bullion comment” last week, that I would have to address my preference for selecting females over male puppies. Let me preface this by saying three of the rescue dogs I have taken, trained and re-homed over the years, were males (they all lived with me for 3 or more months). Buzz is a male and I do love him to pieces. However the main reason I considered taking a male puppy all those years ago, was for the experience as a professional dog trainer. I felt I needed to understand the males the way I did the females in order to help their owners. I think that is whole lot-o-cow feathers now, I mean they are all dogs after all, what the heck, but I am glad I decided to “try” a boy, otherwise there would be no Buzzy.
To round out my experiences John has owned two male dogs over the time we have been together, so I do have some
balance to my opinion, but just remember what I am about to write is just that, opinion! It may have been skewed a bit since growing up we had a female dog. I do not have scientific evidence for what I am about to say. It is just what I have observed in working with my own and the hundreds of male dogs my students have brought to me over the years.
Honestly I think our preferences of males vs females is a chemical thing within each of us. Laura Derrett, Ann Braue, Linda Mecklenburg amoung many others, all strongly prefer working with male dogs. I think it is the same reason why people have breed preferences. Why do I love Jack Russell Terriers, Bulldogs and Afghan Hounds? Why does anyone for that matter? I think there is something intangible and inherent about each of us, that makes up the why and that is what makes us all different.
First there is the physically differences, although I love the look of a big powerful male I don’t care for the extra dangling bits that spoils the view when you look at one . . . and don’t get me started about trying to give a pre-workout massage to a male dog eeeewwww! Then there is the “extra” training you have to do for the male that wants to “mark” inside and outside your home and especially your friends homes:).
As far as training goes, the things that most people adore about working with a male dogs are the same things I find incredibly annoying. My observation, be it right or wrong, is that when a male learns something it locks in the value and the dog is happy to do it the same way for you each time he is asked. So once the male dogs learns something you are good to go, however it takes them much longer to learn it in the first place. The downside of that is even though female dogs might learn something faster, they also unlearn it and start doing it their own way just as fast! In other words the female dog may experiment more and try to change what you have already trained. Females I find to be problem solvers.
Yes bitches may be bitchy, but they match up with me well:). Yes females can tend be more emotional, getting worried if you screw up your training (not Feature however, sometimes I wonder about her . . . ). However, I like a soft dog, it helps me make sure I don’t screw up my training!
Often males are rammy, do something first then think about it later. A male will run through a brick wall every time you ask, a female may do it once but then figure out a better solution. Females are just so clever. They crack me up.
You know I may . . . someday . . . take another male puppy. If I looked at a litter and my heart skipped a beat because of a special little boy, it could happen . . . wait, wait, let me check . . . nope, no pigs flying out of my butt today so . . . not today but someday . . . maybe.
What about all of you that have male dogs, com’on stick up for them, why do you prefer the male puppies? I asked my friend Ann Braue to give her thoughts (just to balance things out), so looks like you guys are going to get yet another guest blogger here!
Today I am grateful for the uniqueness that allows two people to see completely different things while looking at the same puppy.
I used to say of my male and female Aussies that with my male I always knew what dog to expect to show up each day to play – with my female I never quite knew!
I also like a saying I’ve heard before:
If you want a good dog, get a male, if you want a great dog, get a female and keep your fingers crossed.
🙂
I like my boy….. 🙂
Of my 12 dogs, only 1 is a female! Since my breed of choice is the cattle dog, this makes good sense : )
I love my boys for their velcro-ness, their undying attention to the humans, their zest for life without the need to be controlling, bitchy, conniving. The female heelers can be motherly to a fault………….serious control freaks. Anyhow, none of my dogs are intact, since most are rescues; so we don’t deal with the hormonal issues of males (or females for that matter). My boys will work for me under any circumstance, any conditions, they seem to love to work for work’s sake, while my girlie is a bit more particular about the how’s and why’s of it all ; )
T.
I always had male dogs until I got my first Old English Sheepdog..My second OES was also a girl but a year later I brought home another Male.. I loved them both but I have to say one day I fell.. My sweet little girl ran over to see if by chance any cookies had fallen out of my pockets..My big old Male came running over to see if I was ok..
My next puppy will be a girl but it is only because I am downsizing and my new little honda fit cannot hold a big guy.
I think my girls loved to work as much as the boys and they hated to be wrong..the boys just seem to float along go with the flow doesnt matter right or wrong.. margie
I’ve always had firm gender preferences…male horses, male cats and female dogs. I was definitely in the ‘boy dogs are icky’ club. I have a 7 yr old very alpha female BC. When I finally could get my longed for ACD I reconciled myself to getting a boy thinking this was the better choice to get along with her. I wasn’t thrilled but really wanted a puppy but for a few months I don’t think I was seeing past my “boys are icky’ mindset. He is now 11 months old and I can honestly say I have never felt this connection with any dog before. I don’t know if it’s his breed or sex but he always gives 100% effort (so long as I don’t bore him with endless repetitions). He is so totally focused on me that if he were a male human he’d be an obsessed stalker and I’d be getting a restraining order. His high drive and intensity aren’t always easy to deal with but so far puberty hasn’t been all that bad and so long as he doesn’t develop obnoxious boy behaviours I’ve told him he can keep his ‘dangly bits’.
I don’t know if he has totally converted me to the ‘boys rule’ club but I will certainly have a more open mind the next time I get to choose a puppy.
I agree with you, it is chemistry. I absolutely agree with all of the things you said, and still prefer male dogs. I do think the bitches are quicker to learn, bring more “cleverness” to the table, and are easier to teach and unteach. My boy dogs have never been as clever, never had as much humor, never cracked me up like my girls. But there is something about them, something about their sweet (if less clever) attempts to do whatever it is we are doing, just because we are doing it together, that makes me just ADORE them. I don’t really know why, I have just had stronger connections to my boys. I do have a question you didn’t address, do you keep your dogs intact for life? To be fair I have to say my boys have all been castrated, and I don’t get along as well with intact males. My bitches were spayed up until now, I have an intact bitch and I don’t find her to be different from my spayed girls. If you do keep them intact, can you explain your reasons for doing so?
Thanks Susan!
I have both female and Male BC’s that I equally love. However, when I work with them I do have to say my personality just fits better with my boy’s then with my girls. My female BC is too much like me and there in lies the problem. We are both stubborn and independent thinkers. But I would not trade her for the world becuase she inspires me everyday with her love of life. As much as we butt heads it is just the oppisite with my males. They are so bidable and I love that about them. I have always said I would never have another female but I am not sure that is true. If a puppy took my breath away and was female she would be mine. We would probably butt heads but hey who said this was easy.
I love this debate, still don’t have enough experience with enough dogs to have definitive “theory” on this topic…..but my thoughts on dogs I have and have worked with are the following:
Males I have and have worked with tend to be forever forgiving and honest dogs, however they can be set in their ways at times…..
Females tend to keep me on my toes and are always thinking of a different way (from what I have trained) to get the good stuff from me, they are softer and less forgiving of my mistakes…..
Overall I see to different motivations as well: Boys – Please mom (Opps if I get it wrong, I’ll try harder mom I promise…) Girls – Get it right (if that makes mom happy cool, but not the primary motivator, I just wanna be correct…)
I love working with both! Maybe that makes me crazy, but I am in a stage of the game where I like the challenge – I need to learn soooo much more and between both genders I get more experience.
To be honest, I have no preference! I guess I am limited with my experience with dogs but I get along with dogs that actually like me back! hahah I feel that females are friendlier or they actually like me more than males do. When I get a new puppy, it is just going to be the matter on what I have chemistry with!
one word “loyalty” that’s why I love the males. I have 2 males and one female, all BCs. I use this analogy. If I was dangling off the side of a cliff, my female would come to the edge, size up the situation for herself, aka “what’s in it for me?”. Do you have food in your pocket or a ball that I could have? Then maybe I would consider helping you otherwise “see ya!”
Male – wouldn’t think about it twice, would have flung himself over the edge trying to stay with me.
Also the most sutbborn of the two is my female. Hands down, her way or the highway. The male will offer everything in his repertoire trying to figure out what I want.
For me another male,if a dog is in my future.
Gender was never really important to me in the selection of my dogs or my horses (I don’t know that it ever will…) but I do notice the differences, and celebrate those differences! My female is tough, independent, serious, and even stubborn sometimes. She is the fun police (even with the cats!) and she also is my shadow. She has her moments of goofiness and she is obsessive, epseically when it comes to swimming and water hoses! She makes me laugh, and she is so darn cute, it’s hard to believe that this cute blueberry would love to eat children. :o)
My boy is the gawky teenage boy at the party….kinda dorky, doesn’t have a lot of game with the girls, but he will do anything for you and he’s an absolute sweetheart. He did learn really fast, only had one potty accident in the house because I was too lazy to carry him outside…learned 2 x 2 weaves in no time at all! He does have moments of sensitivity when he fails, but I notice as he matures, that is happening less and less. He loves everyone he meets, (dogs, cats, people) and thinks everyone needs to be his friend. And even if they don’t want to, he may ask them again. :o)
I prefer to approach each dog (I’ve owned or trained) as an individual. Each dog is very different and has their own positive and negative aspects (mostly which is down to the training and socializing, or lack of, it has received).
I’m not fussed on gender and would rather get a puppy from a litter that is right for me. 🙂
Yoo hoo ! unless I’m mistaken this post did not prompt any men handlers to give their opinions!
When choosing our second dog, I was mindful of a New Yorker cartoon, in which a woman is in front of the “gifts for him” counter of a department store. The saleswoman is saying “I’m sure he’ll love it, unless he’s an even bigger grouch than you say he is!”
We live in the countryside and our 2 dogs have my husband’s admiration because they are excellent watchdogs, and well – behaved. He says gender doesn’t matter to him.
Love all these comments, ‘specially Becky S and Laura!
Interesting post! Growing up with horses, I have ALWAYS preferred male animals (my horses, dogs and cats were all male) soley for the fact that they were mellower. As a general rule (at least in my eyes) the male of any given speices is usually calmer. Especially after they have been neutered. I never had mares because no matter how well trained they were, they always had their bitchy days, whereas my geldings never faltered.
That said, my first performance dog is a female. I recently adopted a second, who happens to be male, and now I’m wishing he was a girl! I realize this isn’t true with all dogs. I’ve seen some AMAZING male performance dogs. Lots in fact. But my males are so LAZY and my female has never had a lazy day in her life. She doesnt know the meaning.
So for performance reasons, I will prefer females from now on.
Just my own opinion.
Em
I have 3 males and 2 females. The main difference I notice is that the males have a sense of humor. The females are less independent. I love them all!
Susan, you are right. This is very subjective! Not only is it subjective, but I find dogs are as individual as people. So the tendencies you identify are really just *tendencies*. That said, I’ll jump in with two feet to defend my boy! I have a boy and a girl. I got my boy almost 11 years ago from the Dartmouth SPCA shelter. I’d always had girl-dogs and I went in with the intention of adopting a girl-dog, but this black and white border collie mix puppy-boy stole my heart. My other dog, my girl is newer to my life. She’s a Cardigan Corgi. So the breed differences would definitely factor into my perception of boy-girl tendencies, but I still have “opinions” about the boy-girl thing.
My boy is incredibly devoted to me and very slow to make friends with other people. He is the best friend I’ve ever had, my soulmate, the love of my life. He doesn’t like to be cuddled at all, but he will curl his toes and sigh when you touch him when he is sleeping. He is very quick to learn new things, but worries that he is doing it right, which often shuts him down in agility training. (stresses low)
My girl is the social butterfly to beat all social butterflies. She loves everybody. I love her with all my heart. She looks after me, rather than the other way around, unlike my boy who is much more emotionally needy. (Is that the girl-independence thing?) She likes to cuddle, but hates to be touched when sleeping. She is very smart, quick to learn, offers behaviors like crazy and doesn’t shut down. (stresses high)
Two entirely different individuals. A rescue mixed breed (large) boy and a smaller, purebred Cardi girl. Can you compare based on gender? I don’t know. But I do know I wouldn’t trade either one for love or money. And I do know neither one of them has made me think I prefer girls or boys. I think I’ll continue to like both boys and girls for the best of what each of them offers. But in the spirit of today’s challenge, my boy dog is a most awesome friend, has the most gentle, generous and loving character you’d ever encounter, and he is definitely not icky!
Interesting topic. Personally I’ve had 3 females and 2 males (all border collies) in my life. My first one was a female because i thought she’d be easier to train and I had seen some ‘hard-headed’ male BCs. At some point I felt ready to handle a male and I love him just as much. For me the difference is more in the individual personality than gender and also in how they are trained. My youngest, now 4 yr. old male is the only one who was clicker trained from early on and he’s a wonderful companion, agility partner, a fast learner and great problem-solver (due to how he was trained, in my opinion). I can’t say that I pefer one gender over another. I fall in love with the individual and it doesn’t matter what gender they are. Remember that we create our own realities!
I love my males, but my neighbors do have a female who, when I take her out, I could definitely see one day I might walk her back to the wrong house and steal her (j/k). My current boy, a cavalier, is a definite experimenter though, which I think is more about how I trained him. Early on, I captured and shaped everything, no luring. When he’s learning something, he just about gets it, maybe even does exactly what I want once or twice. Then, he’ll throw a few variations on it, or maybe stop to sit and stare at me, like he doesn’t have any idea what I’m asking for. Then, once he tries that business, he goes back to doing what I wanted to begin with. Every other dog I’ve had, has always waited for me to show them what to do. This boy experiments and thinks.
My thoughts are similiar to Kelsey. With boys they have always been so happy and affectionate and want to just please at all times.
My ONE female ever in the house is certainly more independent and good lord she can get her nose out of joint easily (the short one she does have!) It certainly takes more to keep her amused where a boy will offer again and again she is more of a thinker and changes it up, will try different behaviors and offer them really fast…you don’t like this behavior how about this? No….how is this…No? Then ‘p’ on you I’m outta hear and off she’ll go.
I think it’s similar to breed choices same as gender preferences. I know next boxer I will love to have another female but we’ll stick to the boys for borders for now. I know I also love a cuddle bug and the males have all been great in our house for that while the females pick and choose when they want attention.
And my female can mark better then any male but again….never in the house!
Question Susan – dont you worry about bitch fights? I have one of each for that reason. I have heard you can have males together better than females. I have had one of each now for several pairs throughout my life. I once had three and the two were males and one female.
I would say definitely that females are smarter. Males like you did say will work forever, probably because it takes them forever to get it. And they do so happily.
If I want to be put on a pedastal, I will get a male!! If I want to be brought down to earth, I will get a female. But the satisfaction I get from success with my female is like nothing else.
I personally think that Males and Females differ within breeds also. I have had male Terrier crosses, Labs and a female Siberian Husky and started my current breed with 2 female Kelpies. I have added two males in the past three years. (Kelpies of course)
The difference between the girls and the boys is slight as far as work goes. Jag and Morgan are very very much alike. He is more willing to please but is soft like Morgan and he reminds me so much of her at a young age.
My female Kelpies are different from each other, one is hyper and the other is thoughtful. Same with my male Kelpies, one is like Morgan and the other hyper like Porsha. So the male vs female does not have an apparent difference within my own little pack, and I train them all.
I will say, the boy are a bit less “complicated” than the girls but I think I am jsut a better trainer now. Jag will put a different spin on an exercise if I do too many reps, he will change it up as will Morgan. Porsha and Sting will always do the same thing over and over and over… and convincing them to do otherwise means thinking outside the box. They pattern very easily and are a bit more hard headed in their thinking.
Interestingly enough… the two that are more thoughtful are my two dogs, one male and one female… the two that are more the way you describe male dogs are my husband’s dogs to run in agility, one male and one female…Hmmmmmm….. (LOL).
Kathy Smith
Over the years I’ve had 12 dogs; 8 girls and 4 boys (all the boys were neutered). With my own dogs and from what I’ve heard from other dog owners, it seems that for a female owner, the male dogs seem more devoted while the females are just as sweet but somehow a bit more fickle in their affections.
As for training, so far I’d have to say that the males are a little easier for me to train–possibly because they don’t overthink things. I like to have a pack of three dogs with about 4-5 years between them and so far I’ve never had all three of the same sex. It would just seem strange to me not to have both sexes–not enough variety 🙂
I have a very soft and easy female and a male that can really drive me up the wall. He’s exactly as you describe, pushy headstrong and a real jerk sometimes. I had him neutered a little over a month ago and it’s really changed his demeanor. He cuddles for more than a minute and his training has gotten easier. I love him to peices but I don’t always like him.
I don’t know what other breeds are like, but in my breed, many people say, the females love you, the males are IN LOVE with you.
I saved a piece written by Suzi Szeremy of Makos Pulik
because I have yet to come across anything that better describes the
unique qualities of each gender:
“When I want my purse/shoes or the used kleenex I just dropped on the
floor to be the booty of vicious territorial skirmishes, I’ll take a
bitch. To protect my children, the ashes in the fireplace or the dog
biscuit hidden in the couch three years ago – all with equal ferocity,
I’ll take a bitch. To advise me on what louts men are (including the
one who buys their food) or console me during 44 hours of labor, I’ll
take a bitch. Bitches take care of business, and if there’s no
business to take care of, they’ll find some. They love me but they see
me as I am, warts and all. Bitches keep me honest.
When I feel the urge to scritch a belly, make fun of the UPS delivery
man or share a dirty joke, there is no finer companion than a male. If
the sun finds one hole in the curtains through which to peek, a boy
will find that spot and sleep there belly up. They are accepting,
simple and utterly transparent. They love me, ask “What warts?” and
think the sun and moon rise in me. I wish everyone saw me as my boys
do.”
Over the years, I had 3 boys and 5 girls.
At the moment, I have a male (castrated at 19 mo.) Border Collie, Kirk, he is very soft and will do anything to please me. He is a bit of a kamikaze when it comes to agility. He is the best and I love him to pieces.
I also have a young female (Pyr Shep) who thinks things out, is very affectionate, a glue pot, but can be quite moody during the 6-7 weeks following her heat cycle, so I had her sterilized last week.
All were different, and I can’t say I have a preference. I love them all dearly and I don’t know whether my next one will be a female or a male.
Another thought provoking blog – thank you.
I have always had male dogs until 2 years ago when I brought home my first girl.
I have two pretty strong willed boys and I decided adding another male was not right for the pack. I could not be more pleased with my choice. My girl has fit right in and has had a very positive influence on the boys. She is full of spunk and keeps me on my toes. She certainly matured quicker, but does have more independent mind then my boys.
Now my boys are very harder workers and steady in what they do, but there is something about the challenge my girl gives that really makes her a thrill to work with.
I won’t say I will never get another boy, but I will certainly always look at the girls in any litter first.
Good topic Susan! Especially we hope to add a pup to our household within the next couple of months and have been asked by many people whether we would prefer a girl or a boy next time. My answer has been that we would prefer a male but don’t really mind. We have had both and they each have their positives. I would take another Piper (male) in a heart beat – he has been the dog with the ‘can-do-all’ attitude. Teach him something once and it sticks. He does not stress easily and has a great sense of humour. He can be a bit of an idiot sometimes but overall he is a great dog. He has never marked in the house and does not have a high ‘ickiness’ factor, if you know what I mean.
My female is sensitive, worries a lot but is totally devoted to me. I am constantly having to re-work things with her – she has made me a better trainer and she is a wonderful sidekick when teaching. She is so serious about her work. Before reading your blog, I assumed that this was specific to her as our older female was not like that, but perhaps there is more to this gender thing than I thought. Three dogs is not a large sample size to base an opinion on though so this thread is very interesting. As far as the next dog goes, I will put my trust in the breeder to decide which pup will be the best match for us…
It’s odd… I never even considered gender in my choice… With all my dogs I had either the last of the litter or a rescue, so no choice involved. I have 3 aussies now and they are all simply… different; I don’t see gender specific characteristics making them more alike or different. My little girl lifts her leg to pee, the boys squat. She remarks their spot every time!
But, I did read an interesting quote in a BARK! article once —
“If you want a good, solid dog, get a male. If you want an outstanding dog, get a female and start praying.”
In some weird intuitive way that defines the gender difference between my dogs the best. 🙂
I have tried to make myself look at female dogs for my next agility partner, but I simply can’t do it. I just can’t. I’ve ALWAYS had boys — boy horses, boy dogs, boy cats, boy ferret, boy bird, etc. Something about bringing home a girl scares me for some reason — I worry that I won’t feel the same connection and that I’ll end up disliking the dog. My dad had a mare years ago that I just hated and could not bond with on any level. To be truthful, I tend to find the majority females of any species (um, including humans) to be fairly annoying to spend a lot of time around. Boys are so easy going and go-with-the-flow. Always happy & fun. The male personality definitey suites me better. I’m thankful for those of you who love the girls, though — because without you, there wouldn’t be anyone to provide me with male puppies. :o)
I most definitely prefer my males to the females. I have both because I flop back and forth each time to try to keep it balanced in the house. All my male agility dogs have been so consistent and are happy to work no matter what. My females are always moody and depending on what side of the dog bed they rolled off depends on what kind of dog I am going to have that day. My husband prefers the females but I think that is because they always bond stronger to him and look at him with ga-ga eyes when he walks into the room. I guess maybe I am supposed to be doing that;-)
Hi Susan!
I didn’t have a gender preference when I got Treo. We had a household of females at the time, and I thought that maybe a male would be a better fit for the pack, but other than that I didn’t give it much thought.
That being said, there are diffs that I realized. Treo is not the humpy, pee on everything type of dog. THANK GOODNESS. Those type of behaviors would definitely skew my thoughts on the topic. He has proven to be very slow to mature, and was HUGELY distracted until we neutered him. Also, his work ethic is lacking compared to the female workaholics. On the flip side, he’s WAY more affectionate than the girls in the house and I just love that. So, I figure we will work through his immaturity and lack of engagement and maybe by the time he’s 10 we’ll come together. LOL!
I have owned two boys and a girl. The boys are ALWAYS seeking attention and happy to see me…total sweethearts. The girl is much more selective with her affection and definitely has her moods. My boys want to work with me just to make me happy while the girl is more into “what’s in it for me”. Despite this, my girlie has a very special place in my heart. She was my first performance dog and I learned a lot from her.
I don’t feel that I have had enough experience to decide which gender I prefer. I could definitely do without the marking and sexual behaviors in boys, but they seem to be so much sweeter. I also really like the “big male” look that boys have. I am guessing I will continue to switch off on genders for awhile and might eventually develop a preference. Only time will tell!
I honestly don’t know that I have a preference–perhaps because my genders have also been in different breeds. But the last thing I wanted when I got my boy Rival was a BOY! Not only that, I was totally opposed to keeping him intact.
And now….I absolutely adore all of his boy-ness and he’s been soooo easy on every level. He loves being physical and playing with me–wrestling, chasing, goofing off. He does take a bit longer to understand what I am trying to train him but once he’s got, he owns it. And I really had to work to channel his drive but now he gives me 100%, always. Plus, more than any other dog in my house, Rival thinks I am the absolute best thing on the planet–he lives to please me and we adore each other.
I know my next pup will be a girl to maintain pack harmony but my jury is still out on gender preference!! I am glad I got talked into a boy with Rival though!!!
Thanks for the thoughts on this topic Susan. I’ve wondered about it a long time myself. I have had four females and now two mixed breed males. Even though I keep getting girls, the boys have been much more affectionate and attached to me. Couple of questions:
1. Any sense of whether there are more male or female dogs at the top in agility? In other words, are there pysical differences favoring one gender as in humans as between, for example, female and male sprinters in track and field?
2. If the trainer knows she herself is more like how you describe female dogs–learns quick, but just as quickly starts to “play” with the behavior and change it–might the trainer be better off then with a male dog, who will eventually lock in and stick to the originally trained behavior?
I prefer females. My first dog that was actually “mine” was a boy – I was 18 and wanted something cute to take to the pool hall with me. I do think there is a different connection with a male dog and a female owner. The boy dog experience was WAY before my days at Susan’s camps. lol He was a very sweet boy – peed on and humped everything – and unfortunately ended up snapping at my son when he was newborn several years later out of jealousy and the local dog trainer couldn’t help – said to rehome him.
Our girls ARE bitchy. Confident. Inquisitive. They make me work and think. I find that boys are a bit softer/duller – I haven’t found one that has the spark and personality that our 3 girls have – and all 3 of our girls are completely different. No leg lifting and no humping… 🙂
I completely agree with your post. Yet i work better with boys, and thats because of all the reasons you’ve listed. Though i’m completely inlove with my 20 month old girl, being a green handler and knowing very little about the world of dog sports, a boy would better suit me.
I have found that my female, gives me a run for my money!! She has made me read about every theory every method there is to training.. Because if it’s not proven, she’s not buying it.
So the girl vs boy is still something that will eventually develop once i get more experience with both.
I LOVE my Boys! I have 8 dogs (4 are rescues). 6 boys, 2 girls. The boys are MUCH more interested in me. Both as working dogs and house companions, the the boys are much more attentive. The girls are much more interested in making sure they get the best spots to sleep, all the chew toys, and 1st in line for a goodie. I think the girls are more likely to stand up (and possibly act out) to make their point, and the boys are more than willing to back down in most instances.
– But that’s just what happens in my little ecosystem.
It cuts out the little triangle/arrow things completely
I guess this blog does not allow quotes with around them. Interesting alto it makes my previous post a little odd
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My bitch, now at the Rainbow Bridge could raise her leg and mark almost as high as the boys–never inside tho.
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Not my experience tho I am no SG when it comes to training.
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My present male is the worrier about my abilities as a handler. Worry = barking. My now gone male was the smart one. When he knew he could not safely come down the stairs from our bedroom, he no longer went up. We missed him terribly but know of two dogs belonging to friends who injured themselves falling down the stairs in old age. So I really appreciated Shelby’s ability to think things thru
I origionally was looking for a female puppy- however I quickly realized I would have a better chance of getting the temperment I was looking for if I opened up my choices to both genders. I now have a male Aussie who I wouldn’t trade for the world- he has a sweet temperment and he has an enthusiasm and willingness (and alot of nuttyness) for everything. I don’t know how he will turn out as an agility dog at this point but I am looking forward to the journey.
I LOVE my girls…my first agility dog was a boy, and I am currently running a boy…but my other 4 dogs are girls! I like their seriousness, their creativity (even when it is used against me!!) and their dramatic personalities 🙂
My husband’s JRT is a boy and he definetly bonds to the males in our household 🙂 He prefers a happy, laid back, whatever type of dog and the boys seem to fit him better 🙂
And your blog is so true about the differences 🙂 Great topic!
Had one boy and four girls over the years. Loved my boy for his affection and even-temperedness, but prefer the girls edginess, silliness, and lack of external genitalia :-)) May have something to do with the “bitch” factor (takes one to know one). I am fondly referred to at work as “BB” (Beyond Bitch :-))
Looking forward to Ann’s post.
I love my females and males equally. They however, do not love ME equally. I find the girls love my husband and the boys love me! We’re getting a new puppy around Dec. 26th. We’re still arguing on whether we get a girl or a boy (assuming we have a choice) :0)
Based on my limited experience I think I will always want to have one boy in the house, only one though, the rest are definitely girls (I think one is all I can handle and keep my sanity). I love my boy for his goofy yet edgy energy. I love the way he throws himself into things 100% of the time. His enthusiasm for life is conagious. I love that he will try and try and try and try and try and keep coming back for more even when the going gets tough.
I have 6 B.C’s. 4 girls and 2 boys. I really like the girls for agility, but love the boys for flyball.
I have to agree, that the boys just don’t think as much and take a longer to get it in my opinion, but I think that’s what makes them great flyball dogs (i.e. they don’t think about the face that the dog passing into them could possibly hit them head on).
The girls being a little more crafty and thinking seem to make them better agility dogs…well at least I have better luck training them to be better agility dogs.
had females before, now have a male. This boy is the best. He is confident, charming, and absolutely full of himself. He has an attitude that says “I love you and I love life” – while my girls always were “I love me”. He’s a riot and a handful and happy all the time.
I have a new, almost 8 month old sheltie puppy, male. After only having females in the house for 8 years, a lab, and two other shelties. He’s the best, and the cutest, very full of himself. He’s The Man!! I just really needed a change, and I had a promise from husband..no jealousy. He likes him too. Not icky!!! House trained at 5 months, hasn’t marked in the house, but certainly does outside. Females took months longer. No problem with rubs, just do it on the chest instead. I don’t care if I never do agility again, this pup is the best. Well, not really, but if I couldn’t this guy is still a keeper.
Still in the research stage on this one, so I can’t comment yet. I love my boys, but I’m delighted with my baby girl, too, and I’m having a blast figuring out how to work with her.
My observation, though, is that if you ask people who prefer females and people who prefer males what they perceive to be the difference between the genders, they will give you pretty consistent answers. It’s just that each prefers the qualities of his or her own particular gender of choice — the same qualities that drive those who prefer the OTHER gender absolutely batty.
So I agree . . . it seems likely that for many people it’s inherent, just like breed preferences.
I have three males and one female dog. I *love* my boys. Why? One mood all the time.