Boy or girl?

[Wolfiefan]

Hope you can help. Are there any general behaviour etc differences between the two?

I wouldn't be breeding so would have a girl spayed. What's the advice about boys and neutering?

Plus any good reading material and how to find puppy classes and/or a trainer who would use reward based methods?

Thanks.

[Wolfiefan]

You must all be out dog walking!
Was going to ask about good dog walking coats too!!

[BestIsWest]

I've had both girls and boy and honestly couldn't choose one over the other.

Currently have a boy and he is fab.He is 8 months and vet advised us that now is a good time to think about neutering. Pros, apart from the obvious, less likely to get certain cancers, could prevent aggressive behaviour (he isn't at all aggressive). Cons, likely to gain weight. I'm still thinking about it.

Was about to post that we have a 3 Peaks coat for the dog then realised that you might mean for yourself! I have a ancient parka from the Next sale with massive pockets.

[moosemama]

I have had several boys and girls over the years. My personal preference tends towards having male dogs, but as I have rescues every time, I wouldn't specify and would be more than happy to have another girl. Really, I tend to think it's more about the individual dog than their gender.

I am generally pro-neutering from the perspective of preventing unwanted litters and in some cases reducing the chances of escaping/wandering, but strongly believe in waiting for full growth and maturity before getting it done. That said, I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all policy for neutering, as it's not always advisable for for dogs that are fearful, as they rely on some of the hormones that will be removed by neutering for confidence and in those few individuals it can worsen or trigger fear-related aggression (I have had a dog that this happened to.) For the vast majority of dogs though, if done at the right stage (ie after growth has finished and once the dog is mature) it doesn't usually cause any problems at all.

One of my boys gained weight when neutered and subsequently lost it again, but none of the others have had any significant weight gain at all.

Without neutering all male dogs will have some degree of prostate enlargement in later life, which can be both uncomfortable and cause urinary and defecation problems. One of my dogs was neutered as an older adult, after he developed prostate problems that led to repeated urine infections and cysts in his bladder, which required lots of tests and two anaesthetics, so personally, I would always neuter at maturity to prevent putting another dog through that. Interestingly, he was the oldest dog we've ever had neutered and he was also the only one to gain weight, so it could have been more to do with his age and generally slowing down than the neutering itself.

The cancer prevention thing is a bit of a red herring, as whilst, obviously it will completely prevent testicular cancer, there is some research which suggests entire males are less likely to suffer from other types of cancer.

You can find registered dog trainers in your area on the APDT site, they should, in theory all use completely positive training methods, but you do have to be careful and it's always advisable to visit and watch a couple of classes before taking your dog along if possible. Personally I have found the IMDT trainers to be more likely to be completely force free and up to date with modern training methods.

Can't help with dog walking coats for humans, if that's what you meant, as I have a condition that means I overheat easily when walking, so can only ever wear a really lightweight raincoat at most.

[SnoopDoggyDogg]

I have a boy and a girl. The boy I purposely bought to have a boy and the girl I rehomed when she was a yr old. I find the girl dog more feisty and also other bitches are more feisty towards her than other male dogs are towards my boy dog. Most of the dog fights and scraps I see are between bitches rather than dogs and these have been mostly all neutered/spayed.
Just seems to me to be more personality clashes with bitches whereas the boys rub along with each other well and with the other bitches.

[Greyhorses]

I have had 3 boys, all easy going and quite simple to deal with.

Then I got girl dog (same breed) and she is something else...fiesty and difficult in every way but 100 times more loyal, affectionate and devoted to me than any of the boys have been. If I were in trouble she would be the one to be at my side every time!

I don't know if this is just her personality or the fact she is female but in my opinion boys are easier to deal with but girls give more back

I would neuter both sexes once mature anyway.

[moosemama]

Grey my two heart dogs, the ones that still leave such an enormous hole, even multiple years since they've been gone were one of each. Both were so much more connected with/to me than my others. Obviously I love and have loved each and every dog we've ever had, but those two were special.

That's why I think it's more down to them as individuals and their personalities than their gender.

[Floralnomad]

Of my personal experience with family dogs we had a girl growing up who was lovely but bit the milkman ,and would potentially bite any other stranger , my parents then had a boy and girl ( not litter mates) and again the girl was lovely with family but snappy with strangers / boy was lovely , mum then got a litter mate brother / sister and the boy is loving and gentle and the girl is feisty and snappy . Based on this experience we went for a boy and he's very loving .

[Wolfiefan]

Thank you so much for your responses. I am lining up a homecheck and very nervous and excited.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I have a boy and a girl. My boy looooves people but doesn't like dogs. My girl loooooooves dogs but doesn't like people (apart from us)

No two stories are the same.

Goid luck. Pick the dog you like regardless of sex.

[Wolfiefan]

I'm beyond excited but a near complete novice. Had dogs growing up, mum still has a dog, volunteered for the Cinnamon Trust but never owned my own. Could be here a lot for advice over the coming months! I promise pics!

[moosemama]

How exciting! Good luck with the home check.

Is there a particular dog you're being checked for or is it a general check so you're ready when the right dog turns up?