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?

[quote Trinacham]@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.[/quote]
Oh, I don't doubt the ones that cock their legs are in the minority, but I guess my point is that you can't guarantee you won't get a behaviour by picking a dog (or a bitch). A lot of it will be behavioural.

I have a boy dog and I personally would only have a bitch in future. I absolutely love my boy but he cocks his leg on everything and is very argumentative with other male dogs.

Ime bitches are better with other dogs and aren't quite so obsessed with marking every 5 mins on a walk!

Bitches are usually quite snappy and mean to our (very friendly and placid) boy so I wouldn't say they are necessarily friendlier and our dog doesn't mark inside the house at all. He's a real sweetheart (our dog walker always says he's the friendliest and cuddliest of all her dogs)

My (spayed) bitch cocks her leg if the grass is long...doesn't like getting her fuzzies wet! And marks where other dogs have been.
But I prefer bitches simply because dog willies gross me out.. they seem to stick them out far more than I want to see, and I can rub her tummy with no fear of coming into contact with a willy!

Flip side..she's adorable , utterly loving, but is definitely an opinionatied female :D

I find it so interesting that we all have such different opinions and experiences.

I think all this thread shows is it's personal choice and that whether you get a dog or a bitch you still need to prepare yourself for dead grass, humping and scent marking

IMO the only thing that's guaranteed by choosing a dog is you don't have to deal with seasons. The rest is a mixture of luck and training!

@StillMedusa Oh god yes, I've accidentally touched the dog up a fair few times because I'm so used to bitches, he gives me the side eye.

@userxx

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

Females do this too

@dudsville I've never had a bitch destroy plants, only the grass.

[quote userxx]@dudsville I've never had a bitch destroy plants, only the grass. [/quote]
Same here. Our bitches would only wee on grass. Like the majority of bitches, they didn't cock their legs on plants.

We went for a bitch as we wanted slightly smaller adult size (labrador). Not keen on big chunky labs. She'll only have one heat so that won't be an issue once she's spayed in a few months (she's on heat now at 9 months).