How to choose a boy/girl dog?

[Earlybird]

Novice (potential) pet owner here........have done lots of research on breeds, breeders, visited breeders and seen litters, spoken to owners, etc. We could finally be very close to choosing a puppy of our own (!).

But, i am unsure of one thing: most dog owners seem to have a definite preference for boy dogs or girl dogs. Most of my friends are adament that a girl dog is best, but the breeder currently has an older male available, or a wonderful little male dd and I saw 6 weeks ago (think he hasn't found a home because this breeder is mostly in demand for her show-quality dogs, and this little fellow isn't going to be on the circuit).

How can I figure out whether a boy dog or girl dog would be better for us? Or do you simply choose a puppy that appeals, regardless of the sex?

If it matters, we are after a Lakeland Terrier (who would be 'fixed' and not bred).

We want a loving, playful (but not wild or particularly destructive) family pet. And, I'd like my house/furnishings to remain intact, if possible.

Thanks for your advice.

I personally find girl dogs a little more independent and aloof, bit like they never ever completely trust you to remember to feed them. Boy dogs and particularly neutered boy dogs seem to be happy to settle down and just fit into your life.

Gender is going to make little difference to whether or not your furniture remains intact, I am afraid!

Personally I prefer bitches - male dogs are anyone's friend, bitches are more loyal. That really is no more than a personal thing though, others may feel differently. A dog is what you make it.

I prefer boys I think but dont tell our girl that. I think it might just be as simple as my favourite ever dog was male

experience with dogs, horses, rabbits, most animals really even if 'done' the males tend to be more playful and less aggressive

can i ask whether youve looked into rescue homes. if youre near a big city they can prob find near any breed and alot of pups.

personally im not keen on breeders i just think it may be an option money saving too.

I have always had boy dogs myself and they are lovely. My sister has only had girl dogs and they are equally as lovely. No help to you at all

i too prefer boy dogs and currenlty have 2, i have owned lots of dogs and they are always boys, but then i have a prefernce to human boys aswell . All the humans and animals in our house are boys! i just think you know exactly where you stand with the boys!

I have males and females and don't have a preference, the only advantage of females is the lack of erm, male behaviour regarding ones legs, but then if the dog will be castrated that doesn't make much difference really. Males can be more prone to fighting with other males, they will tolerate a lot from a female usually but can snap easily with another male, but again, that would usually be entire males, and it also depends on the individual dog and it's training and socializing.

I have one of each, and it is no secret that it is my old boy who is my favourite!! This may be because my bitch decided early on that she was DH's dog (even though DH has little time for her!) and shows no loyalty to me, but behaves like an angel for him- I sometimes think she secretly dreams of getting rid of the kids and I and having Dh all to herself!

but I think it may be more down to personality than gender! oh- and the cost of neutering a male dog is usually far less than for a female!

I chose a female as I had read they are much more loyal to you as their leader.

Don't know if this is always true but as my last dog was a girl, and my cat is a girl I just went with what I know!

Have also read that males are more aggressive towards other dogs, our dog has to fit in with other dogs in the extended family and they are all males, I thought a female would get along with them better!

I have a bitch and a dog (of different breeds) - the dog is my favourite, but then he is a Labrador so his natural temprement is to be quiet anyway.

My mum had a male Lab and then a bitch. The bitch was much better behaved, but the dog was the darling of her heart.

Whatever you get unless you plan to breed and actually know what you are doing, have them neutered. Bitches are at risk of pyrometra if not spayed, and males will be more aggressive and tend to stray if not neutered.

we have one of each. dogs usually house-train faster

our bitch has always been the houdini ring leader of any pack, whilst the dog, really, is the biggest softie and adores everyone in the house to the point of insanity. if you sit down anywhere he will lay on you/ make sure he is touching you somehow.

the bitch was also much more difficult to train (constantly in detention at puppy class lol) whilst the dog will literally do anything for you...

but then i guess they all have different temperaments anyway - we've only ever had leg-shagging from the girl lol, they were both neutered early.

My experince is that it is largely down to the personality/breed of the dog, not the sex. I had a doberman that was daft as rags. The best family pet you could ever have asked for, when I was growing up. Seriously she was that good the kids in the street used to knock on the door and ask if the dog was allowed to play out.

We then got a GSD bitch. She was a nutter too, but not in a good way. She had to be rehomed in the end. It was not pratical to keep her in a house with children. Plus she was far, far too over protective of me. She went for anyone who came within a foot of me. Even my own family.