We have been thinking about a puppy and have a 6ish yr old female. I've heard that a male would be he better choice in a puppy, however never from any reliable sources. It makes sense to me, especially since jasper is a fairly dominant dog with her buddies, but i have only seen her with one male before and she doesn't like him one bit. that is probably because he is not yet neutered though and is constantly pestering her. (she's fixed) jasper has been in a couple fights, (short lasted of course) with libby, who was a foster dog from the spca, but she had her own issues and started it with jasper, never the other way around. she was also not spayed for half the time we had her so i suppose that could have played a part? and also with a 1 yr old unspayed female, once, because sadie was jealous that her owner was playing with jasper, sadie is also a very dominant dog. does this mean we should avoid getting another female? wether our puppy was male or female it would be fixed asap, and jasper has only ever had problems with intact dogs.....
Another question, how much will gender matter?
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I don't completely believe the thing about females not getting along since i have 3 female dogs that don't fight or fuss or have any issues with each other
In fact they're all laying in a pile at the end of my bed snoring away right now.
Focus on the individual personality of the dog and try to match it with your current dog.
In fact they're all laying in a pile at the end of my bed snoring away right now.
Focus on the individual personality of the dog and try to match it with your current dog.
The thing with females is not that they will fight it's that if they do they tend to hold a grudge and continue to fight and have problems. Males can be best friends five minutes later. It's not a rule, there are always exceptions. You need to know your own dog, if she is very pushy then it might be better to go with a male.
I personally prefer males, they tend to be more cuddly, love bugs and tend to be more laid back. Females are more independent and less all over you, they don't go with the flow as much as males. I like needy dogs
Again it's not like every dog is going to fall into this generalization, it's just a tendency.
I personally prefer males, they tend to be more cuddly, love bugs and tend to be more laid back. Females are more independent and less all over you, they don't go with the flow as much as males. I like needy dogs
Again it's not like every dog is going to fall into this generalization, it's just a tendency.
I agree with Maxy, I personally think that male dogs are a little bit easier. Males are more "go with the flow" kind of dogs, while females are edgier and can have serious attitudes. It makes sense, then, that when it comes to interracting with other dogs, males tend to be better than females. This is not always the case, of course, there are lots of variations and exceptions.
It makes sense, then, that when it comes to interracting with other dogs, males tend to be better than females. This is not always the case, of course, there are lots of variations and exceptions.
I found my females far easier than the males. They seem less demanding. I found both to be very snuggly. And I like no lifting of the leg and no marking . . . both of which males did. And my males seemed to be more into scuffling.
Now I only have ever had dogs that are fixed. So if you leave them intact it could be you have a different experience. Also, it could really be thetemperament that makes more of a difference than anything.
My first 3 dogs were male. After that I have had 3 females. And I really don't see myself choosing a male. I think that if you have a really good experience with a certain gender than you will tend to gravitate towards that gender. And my first female was and is such a delight, that I think that has sold me on females forever.
Now I only have ever had dogs that are fixed. So if you leave them intact it could be you have a different experience. Also, it could really be thetemperament that makes more of a difference than anything.
My first 3 dogs were male. After that I have had 3 females. And I really don't see myself choosing a male. I think that if you have a really good experience with a certain gender than you will tend to gravitate towards that gender. And my first female was and is such a delight, that I think that has sold me on females forever.
Yes, I'm sure the temperment makes the biggest difference. But I'm speaking from the experiences I've had with all my dogs at work (dozens of dogs that I've worked with for usually 6 months to 1 year), my friends' dogs, and the dogs I've lived with (mine and roommates' dogs). All were also spayed/neutered. But again, yes, they are broad generalizations, and there are always exceptions.
Lol now i gotta tell the girls that they're not supposed to snuggle or be chilled and relaxed and they're supposed to hold grudges and get the last word in since that's not how females are *supposed* to be! Hahaha
Bottom line, look at personality of the particular dog and match that personality with the one of your current dog.
Bottom line, look at personality of the particular dog and match that personality with the one of your current dog.
How do you tell their personalities when it comes to other dogs when they are just puppies though? I haven't known alot of puppies but what I've seen is some are shy, some are outgoing, some are energtic and some are not. How would I match this to jasper's personality? does shy mean they will be more submissive to the dogs in their life? Or does it mean they will grow up to be timid? does outgoing signify a dominant dog? etc....
Like I said (twice), there are a lot of exceptions. But my point is, that I THINK by personally training, handling, socializing, fostering, and overseeing playgroups with dozens of different dogs - not to mention the hundreds of dog training clients I've had in addition - I might have a little more experience than your six dogs. When I got my last personal dog, before I started training professionally, I thought females were easier too.... and I still do think that my first dog - a female - was probably one of the easiest dogs I've ever worked with. But now I know that they are just exceptions.
The best you can do is look at how the adults act and assume that you will probably get puppies much like them.
The organization I work with gets dogs from shelters/rescues and trains them to be service dogs. We have an extremely specific temperment we're looking for in a service dog, obviously, and it is extremely rare for us to find the temperment we're looking for in shelter dogs - at best, about 0.2% of dogs in shelters will pass our evaluations. We only take adult dogs for the program, because we don't feel like our evaluation is accurate for puppies. Personally, I don't think there is any accurate evaluation out there for puppies, because you don't see their true personality until they are adults..... and so much of that is based on genetics.
Personally, I wouldn't get a puppy unless I get one from a reputable breeder. If I were going to rescue a dog, I'd get one at least 2 years old.
The best you can do is look at how the adults act and assume that you will probably get puppies much like them.
The organization I work with gets dogs from shelters/rescues and trains them to be service dogs. We have an extremely specific temperment we're looking for in a service dog, obviously, and it is extremely rare for us to find the temperment we're looking for in shelter dogs - at best, about 0.2% of dogs in shelters will pass our evaluations. We only take adult dogs for the program, because we don't feel like our evaluation is accurate for puppies. Personally, I don't think there is any accurate evaluation out there for puppies, because you don't see their true personality until they are adults..... and so much of that is based on genetics.
Personally, I wouldn't get a puppy unless I get one from a reputable breeder. If I were going to rescue a dog, I'd get one at least 2 years old.
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I am also going to suggest getting an older dog! Puppies can grow up to be anything - seriously, lol. If you went with an adult, you could have your female meet him/her and really see if their personalities mesh. With a puppy this would be impossible because they change so much from 8 weeks up until about 3 years of age.
And I am also going to advocate a male. Sure, many females can get along, and many males can get along. However, it seems to me that IN GENERAL, male/female pairs have a better chance of getting along then same sex.
In my experience, males also seem to be easier. Less edgy, less serious, and less, well, bitchy. My trainer actually told me about a very interesting documentary she watched that suggested males were more likely to be playful longer into aging then females, who tend to get more serious at a much younger age.
Of course, everything I have said are major generalizations, and each dog's personality should be taken into account.
But please, do consider a slightly older dog, be it from rescue or a reputable breeder
And I am also going to advocate a male. Sure, many females can get along, and many males can get along. However, it seems to me that IN GENERAL, male/female pairs have a better chance of getting along then same sex.
In my experience, males also seem to be easier. Less edgy, less serious, and less, well, bitchy
. My trainer actually told me about a very interesting documentary she watched that suggested males were more likely to be playful longer into aging then females, who tend to get more serious at a much younger age.Of course, everything I have said are major generalizations, and each dog's personality should be taken into account.
But please, do consider a slightly older dog, be it from rescue or a reputable breeder
I have two female dogs, and we all get along fine! Like has been said though, it all has to do with the dog.
I've never had a male dog before, never had any dogs or much experience with them before these two, but unless my next dog "falls" into my lap again and is female, I would like a male, just to experience one, lol.
But I can say, for myself, and firsthand, that my two girls have for the most part been lovely together. Kye washes Rio's face, they snuggle and love, share food and bones and love their mommy.
I always figured the temperment of a pup is generally what you're gonna get when they're older...see if you can go back a few times, spend time with the pup by yourself, with your family and with your other dog, separately.
I've never had a male dog before, never had any dogs or much experience with them before these two, but unless my next dog "falls" into my lap again and is female, I would like a male, just to experience one, lol.
But I can say, for myself, and firsthand, that my two girls have for the most part been lovely together. Kye washes Rio's face, they snuggle and love, share food and bones and love their mommy.
I always figured the temperment of a pup is generally what you're gonna get when they're older...see if you can go back a few times, spend time with the pup by yourself, with your family and with your other dog, separately.
Thanks again for the advice. For awhile in my life an older dog was the only thing I would consider. The reason I am not considering an older dog is because I have a little guy to worry about. I want a large dog, and even Jasper, knocks him over from time to time. I'm hoping if we get a puppy, since it starts off smaller than my son, it will keep that mindset as it grows bigger, plus, if it's a puppy and I miss preventing it from jumping on him a few times while it is young, it won't hurt him. i just think a puppy is the better bet in our situation. it can grow up with koen and jasper, and learn how our life presents itself from a young age. I feel like any young puppy raised right (except a puppy from dogs that were bred to fight or for agression, I would worry about that) will grow into a well adjusted and well behaved dog. If i were to adopt an older dog, I don't know it's history, I don't know any things that would possibly put my son in danger. maybe it was abused and say, my son is carrying a newspaper and that sets it into defense mode. I dont know. our foster dog was a great example of that, she was absolutely amazing with koen. loved him. we considered adopting her. But there were random times when jasper being near her set her off and she would snarl and snap. That is why we couldn't keep her, because if koen got in the way of that, there could have been unthinkable results. A puppy probably wouldn't have these kind of issues. and if it did, it's small enough and young enough to deal with.
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How old is your child? If under the age of 6 I'd suggest an older dog, not a puppy. Puppies are as time consuming as toddlers. You must be able to provide sufficient exercise, training, and metal stimulation to a puppy.
My puppy is 4 months and I am just being able to sleep through the night without having to be up to take him potty.
I took him to visit with my friend who has a toddler and we spent the entire time either removing toddler toys from the puppy and giving him something appropriate or keeping him from annoying the toddler and vice versa. It was a hectic visit and something I couldn't imagine having to do day after day. This isn't a non-dog savvy friend either. She owns 3 of her own dogs and is housing two rescues and she does dog competitions with me. She even commented that she had forgotten how busy puppies are.
My puppy is 4 months and I am just being able to sleep through the night without having to be up to take him potty.
I took him to visit with my friend who has a toddler and we spent the entire time either removing toddler toys from the puppy and giving him something appropriate or keeping him from annoying the toddler and vice versa. It was a hectic visit and something I couldn't imagine having to do day after day. This isn't a non-dog savvy friend either. She owns 3 of her own dogs and is housing two rescues and she does dog competitions with me. She even commented that she had forgotten how busy puppies are.
No he is 14 months old, but don't worry, I've had puppies before, I do know how much time and work they are. It will take alot of effort to begin with but it will be worth it in the end. We had two boxer puppies (I was a kid, but i was the main caretaker) when my nephew was a toddler and living with us, there was alot to keep on top of, especially when i was left to babysit and look after the puppies, lol but I'm older now, and am used to keeping on top of my son, i could handle a puppy thrown into the mix. It would just give my life a little more pizazz lol