Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 4:06 pm Post subject: Boy or girl?
Hello everyone,
Firstly thank u for all the fantastic advice that you all gave us a little while ago regarding us getting a new pup. We've never been dog owners before so have lots of questions.
We have been going through the great replies that you all gave regarding breeders and have contacted a couple so are starting on our road, the next question I would like to ask is should we get a boy or girl what are the pro's and cons of the sex? Or is it simple down to personal choice?
Hi,well im no expert but ive always had male dogs,dont know why,but that is my preference.Hopefully someone will come along with some helpful pros and cons x good luck in getting your new pupster xx
I think its personal choice, but there are pros and cons for both in my opinion and it really depends on whats important. Overall it should be temperament and which pup you and the breeder think will suit you best.
Males tend to be more affectionate (although this isnt always the case) and some say that males have special bonds with female owners (altho my boy is a real daddys dog - im just the walker, feeder and pooper scooper!)
Males as they mature could have behaviours attributed to their sexual maturity such as marking, interest in the girls, more likely to roam to find the girls, boisterousness etc.
If you choose to have him neutered, its a cheaper and much faster recovery time than spaying a female.
The males are usually larger.
Females have seasons
and if you choose to spay, then its a more expensive op and takes a couple of weeks recouperation.
Females tend to be more focussed on owners, less likely to want to investigate everything. they are also supposed to be more tolerant of children (i suppose this is a sort of maternal thing)
again, there are always exceptions to the rule.
my reason for getting a male was a bit silly i suppose.
1 i didnt really want to have to cope with seasons of a bitch and
2 i really dont like rubbing a dogs belly and feeling the nipples.
I told you it was silly, but there you go. im very complex!
I think it's down to personal choice as there's Pros and Cons with both sexes.
There are no hard and fast rules about the temperament of either sex. I know people often quote things like "Boys are More Affectionate" or "Girls are easier to Train", but really it comes down to the individual dog. Even within a litter you'll get lots of different personalities.
For me, I find girls easier all round, however other people say the same thing about boys, so I guess it's just what you get used to.
The only thing I have noticed over the years, is that boy dogs, especially entire ones, tend to attract more trouble from other male dogs. But again a lot depends on the dog and on where you live. Where I live you get a lot of in season bitches being walked, so of course this can get the boy's Danders Up.
The Cons with Bitches are the hormonal surges, before and after a season, plus the seasons themselves. Although I've never found my girls to be too difficult during these times, but I know others have done.
The Pros are, you can get them spayed after one or two seasons and there's no more hormonal surges and no more seasons. You don't TEND to get bitches squaring up to other dogs either....OK some do, but they aren't usually Labradors.
I'll leave it to those with Dogs to tell you their Pros and Cons.
I too think personal choice and I have always had bitches. No two have had the same personality or disposion. Amber is no way cuddly but Millie has to be touching me. I have always had my dogs spayed after the first season as did not want to breed. Nipples have stayed small on them all in this case . I would never ever discount a dog but choose a bitch given the choice, probably to boost the female side of my family as I have two sons much more bizarre than big nips
Better still have both
____________ Gillian, Millie & Arya, watched over by Becky, Arwen & Amber from the Bridge. Run fast & free
.Can i also add,my Ted is the clumsiest but most loving,affectionate dog ive ever had.He has to be sat/lay on someones knee at all times and has no clue to how big and heavy he is at all.On the downside he likes to get frisky with his blanket and is starting to show off a bit on the park when theres a female around as my boy is still intact and according to OH is staying that way xxx
probably to boost the female side of my family as I have two sons much more bizarre than big nips
brilliant - Girl power!
Same here. I have more than enough trouble with my boys testosterone, I don't need my dogs having the same problems.
I think all round I just prefer girls. I prefer female cats, rabbits, horses, as well as dogs. Yet strangely enough, I never wanted a daughter....They always looked like FAR too much hard work .
I have one of each and to be honest when the time comes to add another to the mix i have no preference on the sex. Each dog is an individual and each has their own personality, and habits (good and bad) , i personally don't think the sex makes any difference to the type of dog you will get, it's upbringing and experiences of life have more of an affect.
Practicalities of owning a dog or bitch may swing your decision, for instance seasons, marking etc so it is purely which particular issues you would rather deal with.
I have always had bitches.I've never wanted to own a boy. I'm a dog walker and have far less trouble with the girls..the boys stop every 5 seconds and mark everything including every time one of the girls wees. Every lamp post and fence corner.
That's not to say I don't love the boys,I just find it more difficult to walk a group including boys as they keep stopping. Both boys I walk are very very affectionate and lovely but don't like each other,one is entire and the other is neutered...I think that's why. The entire male also has to sniff every bum he sees...male or female,which can cause a few problems.
I laughed when I read Gysgal's post because I don't like to stroke a boys belly as they have too much tackle everywhere.... Nipples are nothing!!
Again I agree,all personal choice but I do love my girl...she is one in a million and totally adores me.She is shy,submissive and I've never had an ounce of trouble from her. (can you tell I'm a little bit besotted )
Good luck with making your choice.You will adore him or her whatever you decide because you've already made the best choice...A LABRADOR!!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
. I would never ever discount a dog but choose a bitch given the choice, probably to boost the female side of my family as I have two sons 
much more bizarre than big nips 
brilliant - Girl power!
xxx
