Male or 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 humping. They believe that
They
are more docile and attentive and do not participate in fighting over dominance.
Well Folks, this is not true and they don't call
them a "bitch" for nothing!
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 "humping". There is a reason people utilize the technical dog term "bitch" in
a negative
Way
and it refers directly to the behaviors exhibited by the females of the world.Most
fights will usually break out 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 "humping" or "marking"
And
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may be sweet and affectionate and the next day be reserved and withdrawn or even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 which 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.Sooooo....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.
Just think of it this way, The
Female Loves you and the Male is in Love with you
Reprinted with permission from Lorna
Luddington
RETURN