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The doghouse

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Original poster

Boy or girl?

17 replies

Blondie1984 · 20/03/2020 17:14

I am considering getting a puppy and the breeder I am going to use has a litter of both boys and girls but I don't know which to go for ….are there big differences in temperament, medical considerations etc that I need to consider?

OP posts:
GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 20/03/2020 17:32

Neutering a bitch costs more than neutering a dog. Not neutering a bitch means dealing with seasons, risk of pregnancy, risk of pyometra for those seasons she has until she is fully mature (I would not neuter an immature bitch).

IME the really tricky dogs are likelier to be males, but I think others might disagree. I've had bitches and a dog and it's bitches from now on.

BiteyShark · 20/03/2020 18:04

I went for a dog simply because I didn't want to have to manage seasons.

Stellaris22 · 20/03/2020 20:25

Temperament: I find females are bossier. I have a girl and she's a lovely, gentle creature but needy for attention (which we love). But in the park the girls definitely bark more and tell the boys off.

Windyatthebeach · 20/03/2020 20:27

Even without balls my dgm's ddog humped everything...
Grim tbh..
We have always had bitches.
Didn't want my dd's having their dolls 'ruined' by a sex crazed beast!!

RedRed9 · 20/03/2020 20:27

Seasons sound like hard work. And are also messy.

But then entire males leave tiny drops of semen about the place.

percheron67 · 20/03/2020 20:31

I would be wary of any breeder who refers to "boys" and "girls".... if the can't or won't use the correct terminology, I wouldn't have confidence.

BiteyShark · 21/03/2020 05:49

My dog has never humped a thing in his life and he is 4 this year. He doesn't cock his leg either.

Girlintheframe · 21/03/2020 06:14

We have had both . Neither males did/do hump anything but both cocked their legs. Both have been pretty placid and laid back. We've had one female who had a phantom pregnancy. It was so traumatic for the poor dog and us. She was also more highly strung but that could have been down to her breed.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 21/03/2020 09:47

Personally I prefer male dogs, as long as they are well socialised and well trained ime they tend to be a bit easier.

Disclaimer I'm basing this purely on personal experience!!

It's also worth spending time with the litter and making note of the puppies individual personalities, from 4 weeks old you could tell our puppy was quieter and more independent than his litter mates. He is still quiet and independent now which is exactly what I wanted!

MissShapesMissStakes · 21/03/2020 10:04

I think male or female isn't as relevant as their character. A good breeder should talk to you about the kind of character you want and about which of the litter suits you irrelevant of whether it's male or female.

Dreamersandwishers · 21/03/2020 12:31

I have one of each; working type labs, not related as far as I know.. Both neutered now; male is laid back, very cuddly but can be stubborn , very food driven .
Bitch is more independent, less needy, very busy, but also more obedient.
IME the bitch attracts less aggression from other canines , but again that may simply be because she’s more confident about shutting it down.

Blackberrythief · 21/03/2020 12:39

I work with dogs and temperamentally don't really see any real difference with dogs or bitches. I have met some docile dogs and feisty bitches but equally some bolshy dogs and gentle bitches. With bitches you will have seasons and it's recommended to let them have a season before neutering (my work did a study into neutering before season and after a season and they believe there are some health implications if bitches are spayed before they've had a season). I would personally say it depends on your breed of dog. If I was getting a big breed I would opt for a bitch as they will be smaller but if it was a small breed would probably go for a dog. But look at the puppies in the litter and choose the one with the temperament you like the most Smile

LochJessMonster · 21/03/2020 13:08

I’ve had both and much prefer boys! But that’s might be because my boy is extra cuddly whereas the girl wasn’t so much.

It’s kinda just individual choice.

Female spaying does cost more and if you are looking to have 2 dogs eventually, females are slightly more territorial.

koshkatt · 22/03/2020 12:54

I have had both and as the poster above says, I think that it depends on personality rather than sex and also their life experience before you get them if they are rescues.
Perhaps if I was to generalise wildly I would say that my bitches have been a tad bossier but both dogs and bitches completely soppy and velcro. Oh and muddy.

Yes readers - I have spaniels! Grin

Luunaa · 22/03/2020 14:31

drops of semen Shock is this really a thing?!

I don't know what's worse. Having a season (my understanding is you can't get neutered til they've had some?) or semen everywhere. Envy

LochJessMonster · 22/03/2020 15:39

@Luunaa Had lots of male dogs in my life, never been a thing in my house!

koshkatt · 22/03/2020 17:05

Me neither! Bizarre comment.

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