Re: Female dog or male dog? That's a difficult question and all depends upon your circumstances. You will get a variety of answers. I have always had both
Re: Female dog or male dog? If you'd asked me before we thought of having a puppy, I'd have said I wanted a yellow boy, show type. We ended up with a black girl, working type! The type was simply because I fell in love with the parents even before they had been mated and then, being there (entirely by accident) during the whelping, I knew I needed to give one of the puppies a home. When it came down to choosing our puppy, we were narrowed down to two, based on personality, and got stuck for a while between a yellow boy and a black girl. It took us ages to choose between them and I did a lot of research, having only had neutered males in the past. In the end, I couldn't make a logical decision between them, so it came down to one silly thing; I've known a few male dogs that, especially in later life, obsessively lick their bits. To me, that's like nails down a blackboard; it makes me shudder just thinking of the noise now! So, our choice was made. Does it mean I wouldn't have a male dog? Not at all. But when I couldn't choose between two lovely puppies, it ended up being the ridiculous deciding factor. One thing that may be a consideration is neutering. If you choose to have them fixed, a boy is a lot cheaper, and less invasive than a girl. From the research I did, I had decided that I would keep a male dog intact, unless he caused too many problems when local bitches were in season, but I would definitely have a girl spayed for health reasons. If you decided not to have a bitch sterilised, you have the issue of her seasons and keeping her safe from unwanted attention.
Re: Female dog or male dog? I have had males and females of several breeds, TBH there are breed differences, my terrier boys were obsessed with me and very protective, my corgi, and retriever cross girls obsessed with my husband but not very protective. My Chihuahuas boys and girls have been happy to sit on either lap as long as it is warm they are happy they have all been very protective. We have a yellow lab girl and she is obsessed with us both and showing signs of becoming protective. If I had to chose I would always have a girl, IMO they are cleaner and none of the humping and leg lifting which I find easier.
Re: Female dog or male dog? It's very personal as you can see. I've generally always preferred boys....both in horses and dogs and as a result have two male dogs. Downsides are the peeing, upsides are no seasons (in very simple terms). My dogs aren't neutered but I would if I felt they had behaviour issues that would be markedly improved. My spaniel is a minor breed and he will stay intact just in case he's of high enough quality to breed from. Its extremely unlikely I'll breed from my lab but he's an easy going boy and I see no reason to deprive him of him hormones.
Re: Female dog or male dog? I always chose girls, but did have one rescue German Pointer male and I adored him. I have had five female German Pointers and now have two male Black Labs. I do think I feel closer to boys. It all depends how you feel about male or female. In my experience my boys don't lick their bits ;D
Re: Female dog or male dog? I have a neutered girl. I inherited her so didn't choose her as a pup, but if I had I'd probably have gone for a boy purely on the basis that previously I had a male Border Terrier some years ago. Now that I have my girl, if I was choosing one again I'd now go for a bitch. I like her temperament and proportions. As Barbara says though, it's really down to a personal choice in the end. Oh and my Border Terrier did lick his bits! ;D
Re: Female dog or male dog? I think my problem with it is that the slurping/chomping noise some dogs make when doing it sounds just like a really noisy (human) eater. I once lived with one of those and it used to drive me up the wall - so much so, I'd have to leave the room sometimes when he was eating! I know it's certainly not every boy that does it, but I used to house-sit on occasion for friends' previous lab and he would do it all day long. The friends that bred Willow also have an elderly Doberman x Lab and he does it, too. After a couple of minutes, I get very twitchy. It's pathetic, but it's true :-\
Re: Female dog or male dog? Your head may tell you one thing, but when you meet them your heart may sing another song. Your puppy is going to be a perishing nuisance for quite a long time. You need to be in love with it. I have always had girls.
Re: Female dog or male dog? Go with an open mind. your pup chooses you anyway We wanted a yellow boy.....Hollie is black Good luck
Re: Female dog or male dog? [quote author=bbrown link=topic=8489.msg120042#msg120042 date=1414406869] Girls clean themselves too ;D [/quote] Haha, yeah, I'm not talking about just cleaning, though. I mean when the dogs are obsessive about it and lick and lick and LICK for very long periods of time (easily twenty minutes plus on the same spot). I've never seen a bitch be quite so obsessive about it.
Re: Female dog or male dog? What a good question! I have always had male dogs, all my life, until Tatze, and now Gypsy. When we were thinking of getting a lab my husband chose to have a girl. I hadn't even considered it - to me dogs were boys and cats were girls! But I have really loved having these girlies and will now always go for girls in the future Why? I like their challenging ways! I found the boys more biddable and more excitable - but the girls are more feisty, more intelligent and more fun! I didn't mind the season at all with Tatze - it passed quickly and I enjoyed the challenge of keeping her happy and busy.
Re: Female dog or male dog? I've always had female Labs, mainly because they were the ones that had the right character when I visited the litter. Friends who have had both say that males are more biddable and that females are more wilful. Nothing new there The important thing when choosing is to spend time with the litter and see which one has the temperament you're looking for. Do you want the quiet one who holds back or the one who climbs over his littermates to get to you? Maybe somewhere in the middle of the scrum is the one who's confident but not pushy. Have a play and see which one is right for you. Having had black, yellow and chocolate Labs I think that colour is another key decision. If you're houseproud then get one whose hair will match the carpets and furniture. Alternatively, get a yellow as you can see the mud that they're bringing into your home. Another advantage with yellows is that you can see them in the woods. Our choccy could become invisible by standing still - we nicknamed her "the stealth labrador".
Re: Female dog or male dog? [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=8489.msg120037#msg120037 date=1414404241] I think my problem with it is that the slurping/chomping noise some dogs make when doing it sounds just like a really noisy (human) eater. I once lived with one of those and it used to drive me up the wall - so much so, I'd have to leave the room sometimes when he was eating! I know it's certainly not every boy that does it, but I used to house-sit on occasion for friends' previous lab and he would do it all day long. The friends that bred Willow also have an elderly Doberman x Lab and he does it, too. After a couple of minutes, I get very twitchy. It's pathetic, but it's true :-\ [/quote] You would have loved our yorkie boy he didn't just do the twenty minutes lick routine when he finished he always had a problem as his long hair prevented his ding a ling retracting. Number of times we had him upside down on our laps gently putting it away for him ! Oddly really miss that little monster LOL
Re: Female dog or male dog? [quote author=Julie1962 link=topic=8489.msg120060#msg120060 date=1414418026] You would have loved our yorkie boy he didn't just do the twenty minutes lick routine when he finished he always had a problem as his long hair prevented his ding a ling retracting. Number of times we had him upside down on our laps gently putting it away for him ! Oddly really miss that little monster LOL [/quote] Hah, yeah, that's another thing. Boys who always have their willies out. PUT IT AWAY! Especially when they're on a sofa and leave "trails". But, these have always been other people's dogs and I'm absolutely sure that if it were mine, I wouldn't care in the slightest. In the same way I always thought that dogs licking my face was absolutely gross. Until Willow came along.
Re: Female dog or male dog? I always connected more so with my family's female dogs growing up. Not sure why. My husband and I will probably always have female dogs.
Re: Female dog or male dog? Boys, everytime. No rational reason. I grew up with family dogs, all male. And all intact their whole lives. To me, dogs are boys. I'm (secretly) still surprised that there are some dogs that are girls. ;D ;D ;D
Re: Female dog or male dog? Both hubby and I grew up with girls and never considered boys (turned out the litter was all girls anyway) If we were getting a rescue dog i think we wouldn't mind either way - just happy to give a dog a good home
