Dog or bitch?

[zippyswife]

First time dog owner… I’ve narrowed down my breed and now to the question of dog or bitch?

I’m ideally looking for a dog that is calm, good with children, doesn’t require too much stimulation but is happy to chill but also likes playing too.

Am I describing a dog or bitch or is every dog individual and character traits have little to do with sex?

I didn't want a dog because i hate seeing them cock their legs against everything. Plus their pee stinks. Love the fact my bitch will walk down the street without stopping to pee on everything.

@Hurrylittlefroggy

I didn't want a dog because i hate seeing them cock their legs against everything. Plus their pee stinks. Love the fact my bitch will walk down the street without stopping to pee on everything.

I walk bitches that cock their legs and scent mark. I also walk dogs who pee like girls and don't scent mark.

So unfortunately picking a bitch is no guarantee you won't get those behaviours

@Girlintheframe

We always seems to end up with dogs. Tbh we haven't had any of the problems mentioned here. Neither of them humped or marked inside. Both very loving and cuddly.

Same.

Those issues are behavioural and nothing to do with whether the animal is male or female.

I've always had dogs and also have had none of the problems mentioned here really. All humped a little bit during their puppy/adolescent periods but not since really - very occasionally now if he gets over excited but not usually. All have been clean and had lovely temperaments, never had bother with marking indoors!

@PollyRoulllson

Bitches will hump too....

The 2 bitches I grew up with (dalmatians) never ever did. It is possible, yes of course, but less likely.

I personally would choose bitch, from my experience. I grew up with 2 bitches from when I was 4-19 years old. Dogs have been in my extended family for years and none of them compare to our girls (of course might not be to do with sex but it's all I have to go on to compare)

@InkySquid

I chose to get a bitch so I didn't have to check whether photos i took needed to be censored

😆 you've brought back an amusing memory from my childhood. Our Dalmatian bitch loved sitting slouched with her legs splayed showing the world her bits. So not even a guarantee with that!

A lot of the downsides people mention about dogs can be avoided with good training. My boys don’t hump and only toilet out on walks (which is what I prefer- I can’t stand dogs messing in the garden)
I wouldn’t want to deal with a bitch in season, but boys can take a little longer to grow up. It’s a bit of personal preference, but I know lots of people who don’t mind either way- you don’t need to have a preference.

[quote zippyswife]**@GuyFawkesDay* @Girlintheframe* can I ask what breed you have?[/quote]
We currently have a Spanish water dog.

Previously we've had a lab, springer and vizsla/weimaraner x

@Trinacham I've been humped by more bitches than dogs. I've worked/volunteered in dog rehoming centres for over a decade so have worked with a lot of different dogs.

@Happenchance hmm I shall have to ask my DH his experience (he worked in a kennel for years, as well as various other jobs with dogs). I don't see why the reason would be that bitches would be more domineering than males. Interesting!

Always dogs. You need to train and socialise any breed and either sex. I have had, so far in my life four loving, obedient and well-mannered dogs.

@Trinacham humping is not a dominance thing: www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/symptoms/humping-behaviour-in-dogs

@Happenchance thanks. In that case then, I don't know why bitches would be more prone to those behaviours. Would be interesting to know.

[quote Trinacham]@Happenchance hmm I shall have to ask my DH his experience (he worked in a kennel for years, as well as various other jobs with dogs). I don't see why the reason would be that bitches would be more domineering than males. Interesting![/quote]
Humping has nothing to do with dominance......

@PollyRoulllson as has already been explained...

I’ve got two dogs. Old one is neutered rescue. Adolescent (had him from pup) is large breed, entire and likely to stay that way. Steady and kind around kids. Both are scrupulously clean, extremely loving and calm in the house. Neither hump. Both are high energy nutters outside and require lots of exercise and brain work though.
It’s very hard to draw a line between the sexes behavior wise as so many other variables.
Biology means a bitch (and all puppies) will squat and kill your lawn and a dog will wee up trees, bushes etc. Bitches will come on heat which needs management or need spaying.

@userxx

Male's will destroy plants by pissing on them, I know from bitter experience.

Our bitch destroyed the lawn by pissing on it

Dogs cock their legs on every lamppost and want to sniff everything. I'd far rather have a bitch. Much easier to walk in an urban area and fewer irate car owners if they pee on a precious car.

My girl digs holes everywhere.

Moral: dogs are bad for gardens.

As this thread has highlighted it really doesn't matter whether male or female as you can get the same unwanted behaviours in either sex.

Bitch

@Greenhillfaraway

Dogs cock their legs on every lamppost and want to sniff everything. I'd far rather have a bitch. Much easier to walk in an urban area and fewer irate car owners if they pee on a precious car.

I walk bitches who cock their legs and scent mark constantly too....

@fairylightsandwaxmelts I doubt the majority of females cock their legs though, it's the minority. I agree with the scent marking though. Ours used to pee on our other dog's pee all the time. They scent mark more when in season too.

I have had eight bitches in my life and none have done it.

The last dog would cock his leg on the couch if the fancy took him.😬