Male dogs vs female?

[doggyteaparty]

Planning on getting a dog next year, it's been a long time coming but definitely feels like now is the time to be able to give a dog a great life.

However we aren't sure whether we should get a male or female dog. PIL have a bitch and they keep telling us there's a significant difference between her and their last dog (male). They constantly had issues with him on walks, aggressive with other dogs etc.

We have two small children and I certainly don't want any more stress added into the mix when out in the forest walking.

Is this a thing? Either way we'd get the dog neutered or spayed.

Thanks in advance for any info

[doggyteaparty]

Sorry to clarify PIL are convinced she's female and keep telling us not to get a male dog!

Interested to see what others thoughts are

[doggyteaparty]

Convinced it's because she's female!*

[Notsafetogo]

I was told that females are easier to train and that they tend to bond more closely with just one person.
That’s probably a load rubbish and this dog is my first so I have nothing to compare with.
We got a female and she has been really easy to train, no daftness about her. She is however very clingy to me in particular to the point that if I’m not going for the walk then she doesn’t want to go either! She is a working cocker spaniel and I think they are fairly clingy by nature.
Our dog trainer said get a girl and so did my friend who has one of each.

[Notsafetogo]

P.S. girls do ruin your grass though!

[TutorWoes]

I've got a male dog and he's wonderful. Always had boys. He's loving and gentle. You need to focus more on the breed rather than the sex

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

My DF thinks bitches are cleverer and more independent and perhaps also more loyal/bonded to one person - I think he might be a bit biased as both the bitches they have had have been collie crosses, and his favourites.
All the 'dog' dogs they've had have been some form of labrador cross - I think he's confusing breed traits with sex traits.
And my male dog's pee is ruining the grass...

[frostedviolets]

I have a female but the next will be male.
Mostly because male x female pairings are said to be best (or so I have read)

My female can be bossy, though this is I think a trait of her breed rather than her gender.
Collies are known for being bossy/controlling.

She can be affectionate, she loves hugs for example and will lean in for a squeeze and she likes children but generally she likes to play rather than cuddle.

Easy to train but again, it’s more her breed than gender, collies are very much wanting to please you.

Very sensible temperament, no digging or OTT exuberance or naughtiness usually.
She is a very good girl and is very quick to discipline the cat for bad behaviour, cat is not such a good well behaved girl.

[frostedviolets]

She isn’t very good with other dogs though.
She’s fine with dogs ‘around’ in close proximity to her but she very, very rarely wishes to interact with them.

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

I’ve had bith and would say females are easier (and my current dog is male). But as someone said upthread they do ruin your grass!

[Cuddling57]

What breed are you getting?
That is the biggest consideration.

[MothershipG]

I think you just can't generalise.
My first dog is female as I thought a female would be easier, and she's very sweet but has been a lot of hard work! She brave & independent with a high prey drive & endless curiosity so training recall has been a nightmare.

Two subsequent dogs both boys and are soooooo much more easy going.

The girl is a Mini Schnauzer and the boys are Affenpinschers.

[doggyteaparty]

Thanks all for your replies.

The breed is going to be a Labrador. We're quite rural and 90% of the local breeders are working labs. So I'm hoping will be slightly easier to train!

I was leaning more towards male dog- I have no idea why though. I go running far out into the forest where there isn't a soul around so would need to ensure dog has an excellent recall either way.

[StillMedusa]

Mine's female.. she's very affectionate to all of us ..tho I am definitely Mummy! She was a dream puppy but now a somewhat challenging teenager (she was 1 this week) who is testing boundries on walks! But she had all the basic commands within a couple of weeks.

She's not spayed yet ..needs to be nearer 2, but her first season was no big deal. I preferred a girl because I'm not keen on willies sticking out, (my brother's dog is always waving his about!) but I can' say that was a reasonable basis for getting a girl really

She loves all other dogs... sometimes a bit too enthusiastically but we are working on that!

[jinxpixie]

No there will be no difference in temperament, intelligence, or affection just by sex alone.

Sex will not affect recall either.


Maybe a male lab will be bigger than a female . Costs more to spay a female (But that really is no reason to chose)

[DramaAlpaca]

Over the last 20 years I've had 3 bitches and one dog. All lovely, great with kids, totally non-aggressive to other dogs. The most affectionate one is the dog, he's also the most boisterous and lively, and has the best recall. All have been springers.

[Kaykay066]

Prefer boys, not sure why
Lost my golden retriever boy recently and will get another dog but not this year, it’ll be a boy. I wouldn’t get a lab - purely personal preference my dog was a guide dog trainee who didn’t make it and I looked after loads of labs, bright energetic dogs but def love a retriever. Enjoy your dog it’ll be an amazing time bonding with it and making him/her part of your family

[villainousbroodmare]

I find lab bitches are mostly much nicer than the dogs. Boisterous obnoxious labs ime are almost invariably male.

[Gingerninja4]

I have a male lab old fashioned stocky sort his mum works with gamekeeper and wanted a new pup bring in

I had no preference but he is brilliant was quick to train very affectionate and goofball fab recall even from deer in front if him


He is fine with most dogs hates labradoodles as one attacked him (he was on lead they was off

[Gingerninja4]

As a side note he does not seem to be a willy waver is nearly 6 now and no sign a of slowing down .Did 20 mile walk earlier

[Whoknowswhocares]

Both male and female will ruin the grass

Girls tend to be more independent and often a little bit manipulative. Will weigh up what’s in it for them before deciding whether to comply!
boys more keen to go with the flow and want to please (But only after adolescence, teenage boy dogs are a royal PITA) but larger and usually more boisterous, although all labs spend the first 2 years as a ‘bull in a china shop’
A working lines lab will NOT be easier to train! It will require tons more mental and physical stimulation throughout life and be much more lively and driven. Great if you want a dog to work with, not so much if you want a calm pet

[Darklane]

I’ve had both all through my life, mostly terriers but some Old English Sheepdogs. I don’t think you can judge by sex,it’s down to the individual. The hardest to train & most aggressive was a bitch OES, the gentlest, sweetest matured of them all was a male terrier. At present I have just three, all bitches, all sweet natured, biddable shadows who follow me everywhere . The worst for fighting we’re two bitches I once had, breaking off a fight I lost the tip of my thumb, try explaining to a A&E doctor that you lost it to a tiny Yorkie breaking up a fight with a Cairn!
So I’d say go for the individual & be guided by the breeder. But if you think you may want a second dog at some point two bitches can be life long enemies far more often than two dogs or one of each.

[vanillandhoney]

I've never had a bitch - our current dog is two and I'm a member of lots of breed groups as well as remaining in touch with all his siblings.

Breed is certainly more important than sex - males do tend to be bigger and stronger but if you train them well that shouldn't be a problem at all. I think ultimately it comes down to a mix of breed and personality - though some people have a personal preference which makes them bias

[OnlyToWin]

Have a dog now after only have bitches in childhood.
He is noticeably more affectionate and less independent. He is also less moody. Could be the character of the dog himself of course, but I would always get a dog over a bitch from now on. Also, if you choose to have him castrated then it is more straightforward than having a bitch spayed.

[spotlighton]

I prefer bitches, less likely to hump you & don't pee on everything when you're out (although my male dog didn't do this either).
Every dog is individual, much more than the generalisation of which sex you get.

[Scattyhattie]

Can't say I've noticed much difference between dogs & bitches with my sighthounds but they've all been neutered/spayed.