Male vs. Female
Many people believe that female dogs make better pets. Female preference seems to be ingrained in people. Most calls for pets have people wanting a "sweet girl". They don't think females display alpha behaviors like "marking" and/or mounting. They believe that they are more docile and attentive and do not participate in fighting over dominance.
In the dog pack makeup, females usually rule the roost, determine pecking order and who compete to maintain and/or alter that order. The females are, as a result, more independent, stubborn and territorial than their male counterparts. The females are much more intent upon exercising their dominance by participating in alpha behaviors such as mounting the other dogs.
Most fights will usually break out between two females. In fact if you ask your vet, he will tell you that the worse fights he deals with in his office, are between two females.
Males, on the other hand, are usually more affectionate, exuberant, attentive more demanding of attention. They are very attached to their people. They also tend to be more steadfast, reliable and less moody. They are more outgoing, more accepting of other pets and take quicker to children. Most boys are easily distracted during training, as males like to play so often and no matter what age, he is more likely to act silly and more puppy like, always wanting to play games.
Boys are fun loving until the day they die. Females tend to be more reserved or dignified as they age. Witness the human equivalent of the twinkling eyed Grandpa still playing catch at 70, while Grandma quietly observes from the porch. Neutered males rarely exhibit secondary sexual behavior such as mounting or marking lifting of legs. Once the testosterone levels recede after neutering, most of these behaviors if they ever existed) will disappear. While the female will usually come to you for attention, when she's had enough, she will move away. While boys are always waiting for your attention and near at hand. Females are usually less distracted during training, as she is more eager to get it over with and get back to her comfy spot on the couch. The female is less likely to wage dominance battle with you, but she can be cunning and resourceful in getting her own way. She is much more prone to mood swings. One day she may be sweet and affectionate and the next day be reserved and withdrawn or even grumpy. The female also has periods of being in heat unless she is spayed.
Seasonal heats can be a month long nightmare, twice a year.
If you are not breeding, you'd be best off to have her spayed since during this time she can leave a bloody discharge on carpets, couches or anywhere she goes. She will be particularly moody and emotional during this time. A walk outside during this period can become hazardous if male dogs are in the vicinity and she will leave a "scent" for wandering intact males to follow right to
your yard, where they will hang out and wait for days.
Research has also proven that a female NOT bred during a heat cycle stays in a flux of estrogen level that may give us the reason as to why females are more moody than males.
Males generally cost half the price to have neutered as a female to be spayed.
Before you decide on that age old dilemma of male or female, give consideration to any other dogs that may be in or around your home, your financial situation as to having the dog altered and whether or not you have the space, time and money to raise a litter of puppies. I beleive to raise a litter of pups correctly you need to consider it a full time job. You need to be home most of the day. There is NOT a lot of profit in raising a couple of litters a year, if you do it correctly.
I think the worst thing is to purchase a dog, and you don't want to breed...but also don't want to spay or neuter. Once that adult dog comes into season, you will quickly get tired of the mess and stress. So into the paper he or she goes...of course for free or cheap because they are an adult now. Guess who buys them??? A puppy miller. Where it will have NO life, only breeding, eatting, and breeding again. So be wise and spay or neuter early!
Just think of it this way, The Female Loves you and the Male is in Love with you.
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