Girls vs Boys
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At this point it's a bit difficult to tell since Jari is so young and I didn't raise Pentti from a puppy (got him when he was 3), but I think I do prefer females to males. The females are a bit more independent, which I like, and I think "sharp" is a good way to describe them. I don't mind a little attitude while I'm working a dog, and sometimes prefer it. Though the males are more consistent, if that makes sense, and definitely less reactive IME with this breed. I dunno. It will be interesting to see how Jari turns out, then I can really make a good comparison between him and Kimma. In the long run, however, I will probably always have 2 girls and 1 boy in the house. We just have 2 and 2 for a while now hahaha.
I prefer girls, but the newest dog I just got was a male. My female has some SSA issues and I did not want to have to deal with that. I have not had my male for long, but he is goofy and needy.... so needy. Greta is very independent, self-reliant, and more aloof, which I'm learning that I really value. Rugaru can't let me go into the bathroom by myself without crying outside the door. Hopefully that gets a little better as he ages as he's only 7 months old. My next dog will be female though, as I'm not anticipating another dog until I no longer have Greta.
I think Merlin and Journey are a good "control" group lol one male, one female, same litter/same parents, raised in similar environments (plenty of other dogs, go to pet store for work etc..), awesome owners LOL
and I think the differences are interesting!
- Merlin seems more gooberish/less mature in general
- Merlin pees on his own front feet when he pees
- Journey seems less handler scentric/needy (Merlin seems like more of her dobe's personality lol I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU HOLD ME HIIIIIII)
I'm sure there are more! but in general.. I prefer boys.
He is a goober..and I love it!
and I think the differences are interesting!
- Merlin seems more gooberish/less mature in general
- Merlin pees on his own front feet when he pees
- Journey seems less handler scentric/needy (Merlin seems like more of her dobe's personality lol I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU HOLD ME HIIIIIII)
I'm sure there are more! but in general.. I prefer boys.
He is a goober..and I love it!
The other thing that is odd to me about my dogs (I have no idea if I can say it is a male/female thing, but I have had several people mention it is) is that, while I'm definitely "closer" to Meg, and very heavily bonded to her, she is far less concerned about my moods as long as it doesn't affect her. She's the first to get worried or shut down if I'm trying to work with her and get frustrated or upset, but if I'm sad or scared in general, she is not interested. I was having a terrible day the other day - just a meltdown, and was crying. I was in the room with her, and she didn't even pay attention to me. Where as Gusto, who gives me the finger half the time when I'm trying to get his attention, came up from downstairs and climbed on my lap and appeared very concerned.
They are an odd little pair.
They are an odd little pair.
That's a good point! It's kind of strange really how similarly they're being raised, too lol.
Journey is a huge goof as well, but is also rather 'together' and composed for a puppy. And she does love affection and wants to be as close as possible whenever possible. She loves to snuggle and be on people.
But I guess the big difference I see between the boys I've had and my girls is that when I tell them I need some space and to go away, the boys look absolutely crushed at the idea like their world just ended and the girls are like "meh, whatever, that's fine... I'll just come back later, k?". So while all of my dogs are affectionate regardless of gender, I just find that boys are needy at a whole 'nother level.
That's interesting. I think that would be more of an individual dog thing... at least IME. I try to stay away from the Dobermans if I'm having a bad day, because it worries them. They don't check in with me, just get a little stressed out. Dance doesn't care in the slightest and just carries on with her day and hangs out with me nice and relaxed the same as she would any other day. Journey doesn't worry or stress or anything, but she just sticks close and is super calm and very un-puppy like. She's very sensitive to the emotions surrounding her, but it doesn't affect her negatively. She's her regular silly self, just in a more calm manner.
Journey is a huge goof as well, but is also rather 'together' and composed for a puppy. And she does love affection and wants to be as close as possible whenever possible. She loves to snuggle and be on people.
But I guess the big difference I see between the boys I've had and my girls is that when I tell them I need some space and to go away, the boys look absolutely crushed at the idea like their world just ended and the girls are like "meh, whatever, that's fine... I'll just come back later, k?". So while all of my dogs are affectionate regardless of gender, I just find that boys are needy at a whole 'nother level.
That's interesting. I think that would be more of an individual dog thing... at least IME. I try to stay away from the Dobermans if I'm having a bad day, because it worries them. They don't check in with me, just get a little stressed out. Dance doesn't care in the slightest and just carries on with her day and hangs out with me nice and relaxed the same as she would any other day. Journey doesn't worry or stress or anything, but she just sticks close and is super calm and very un-puppy like. She's very sensitive to the emotions surrounding her, but it doesn't affect her negatively. She's her regular silly self, just in a more calm manner.
When I got Quinn I was open to a male or female - two females just happened to be best suited for me though, and of those two I picked Quinn. For my next puppy I will be 100% getting a male as I think a male will be a better fit with Quinn, plus I've never had a male dog so I think now is a great time.
Quinn is wonderful but she is bossy, lives by the rules and can even be a little sharp sometimes. I think a more easy going (and maybe a little more biddable) male would be the perfect compliment to her. I think these traits will be easier to find in a male, too.
Quinn is wonderful but she is bossy, lives by the rules and can even be a little sharp sometimes. I think a more easy going (and maybe a little more biddable) male would be the perfect compliment to her. I think these traits will be easier to find in a male, too.
I've always preferred female dogs. BECAUSE MARKING. With the ACD's, I was recommended to get the opposite sex of what I had because of SSA. A lot of times, I think the "gender traits" play into breed traits and the only differences between genders are boys are more goofy, and girls are more snarky (obviously a generalization). My notes:
Harlow: Not very biddable unless there is food. Even then, still on her terms. But, this is also part of the breed. Snuggles on her terms. Can be a snarky jerk.
Rider: Biddable until prey drive kicks in. Then he gives no shits. Very much so loves to be clingy, in your face, pet me until you go to your grave. Extremely worried about what his person thinks about him, and it can affect his drive. Good with other dogs.
Lucy (still a foster!): Biddable and soft. Much more handler oriented than I expected from her. A little less stubborn than Rider. Little bit of reactivity, and fights like a girl. Lol. LOVEY! Holy wow she is a lover. Not so much for snuggles, though.
In specific to ACD's, here is what my breeder has said:
Males tend to be more goofy, slower to mature, but their work ethic is strong, and then tend to be a little easier on the cattle (especially babies), and that they are "smarter" about the way they work and will try to fit their style to the situation. Girls on the other hand are more loyal, very hard workers, very gritty, won't show you their weaknesses, but tend to be less giving to cows and such. Also, girls tend to be less able to change their working style, and tend to go with "what works", even if that is a tad harder than a boy would start with.
Danielle is set on getting me to go with a boy, and I can't say I don't think about it (much better names!) but part of me just can't see not having a witch, gritty girl.
Harlow: Not very biddable unless there is food. Even then, still on her terms. But, this is also part of the breed. Snuggles on her terms. Can be a snarky jerk.
Rider: Biddable until prey drive kicks in. Then he gives no shits. Very much so loves to be clingy, in your face, pet me until you go to your grave. Extremely worried about what his person thinks about him, and it can affect his drive. Good with other dogs.
Lucy (still a foster!): Biddable and soft. Much more handler oriented than I expected from her. A little less stubborn than Rider. Little bit of reactivity, and fights like a girl. Lol. LOVEY! Holy wow she is a lover. Not so much for snuggles, though.
In specific to ACD's, here is what my breeder has said:
Males tend to be more goofy, slower to mature, but their work ethic is strong, and then tend to be a little easier on the cattle (especially babies), and that they are "smarter" about the way they work and will try to fit their style to the situation. Girls on the other hand are more loyal, very hard workers, very gritty, won't show you their weaknesses, but tend to be less giving to cows and such. Also, girls tend to be less able to change their working style, and tend to go with "what works", even if that is a tad harder than a boy would start with.
Danielle is set on getting me to go with a boy, and I can't say I don't think about it (much better names!) but part of me just can't see not having a witch, gritty girl.
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I'll go with girl dogs every time, but I'm also talking about intact bitches v stud dogs, too.
For neutered pets, I don't think there's all that much of a difference.
Most of the boys I've been around (again, intact) have marked in the house, been really tough to house train, have had more issues with other dogs, have been more "touchy," and just not my cup of tea.
Most boys aren't as useful when it comes to carrying on a line on top of those annoyances. Boys have to be REALLY REALLY good, at least in our breed, to get any play.
It's much easier to have an "ok" girl and breed up to a really good boy then to have an "ok" boy and try to find an excellent bitch to lease. Just my opinion, again, and maybe not everyone feels that way or has had that experience.
The girls I've been around have mostly been easy to house train with one exception who had a UTI, more focused, easier to live with in general, easier to manage, more tolerant.
That could just be the specific intact dogs/bitches I've been around, but yeah out of the two I'd pick girls any day.
For neutered pets, I don't think there's all that much of a difference.
Most of the boys I've been around (again, intact) have marked in the house, been really tough to house train, have had more issues with other dogs, have been more "touchy," and just not my cup of tea.
Most boys aren't as useful when it comes to carrying on a line on top of those annoyances. Boys have to be REALLY REALLY good, at least in our breed, to get any play.
It's much easier to have an "ok" girl and breed up to a really good boy then to have an "ok" boy and try to find an excellent bitch to lease. Just my opinion, again, and maybe not everyone feels that way or has had that experience.
The girls I've been around have mostly been easy to house train with one exception who had a UTI, more focused, easier to live with in general, easier to manage, more tolerant.
That could just be the specific intact dogs/bitches I've been around, but yeah out of the two I'd pick girls any day.
I typically prefer Females over males. Now, up until Ivan all I had where fixed males and females. But if I never own an intact male again, I will be ok with that. I think females(atleast in my breed) tend to be more family dogs, even though they pick a person its not so inclusive like it is with the males (read Ivan).
I prefer males. Not just in dogs but in horses, cats, rats and people to! I click better with them. And the "bitchiness" you find in, ahem, bitches can do my head in.
I specifically chose Quinn as a female in an effort to mix better with Buster.
All I can say is... Sorry Buster for bringing home the she-bitch. Lesson learnt.
Don't get me wrong, I love her bitchy side and her edge but she's always running around like an body builder on speed. Even my trainer/boss refers to her as "Her Majesty"
Myself, I call her King Bitch. I think its fitting.
I specifically chose Quinn as a female in an effort to mix better with Buster.
All I can say is... Sorry Buster for bringing home the she-bitch. Lesson learnt.
Don't get me wrong, I love her bitchy side and her edge but she's always running around like an body builder on speed. Even my trainer/boss refers to her as "Her Majesty"
Myself, I call her King Bitch. I think its fitting.
(This is based on what I've seen in my own pack).
Boys (Stryder and Link) are giant dorks. They are also into cuddling a lot more than the girls. They are more driven, with both food and toy, almost to the point of being annoying.
Girls (Kiba and Tsuki) were frankly put, bitches. The boys will fight over food, but the girls used to fight over me, food, one looked at another one wrong, you name it they sometimes had a cause for it. Kiba is a lot more handler focused and is a lot smarter than the boys. They are also little spitfires and kept me on my toes.
But then, I have Charlie, who is a girl. But hindsight I think it was good I gave her a boys name, because she acts like the boys, and girls (not sure if that's her "breed/mix" thing or just her). She is smart, driven, has never had a bitch fight with either or the girls, but she's as dumb and dorky as the boys.
My next dog will probably be a boy, though if next dog comes after Kiba has passed I will probably get a more dominant type female to rule the others. Kiba keeps the other kids inline with no questions asked, even if she is the smallest!
Boys (Stryder and Link) are giant dorks. They are also into cuddling a lot more than the girls. They are more driven, with both food and toy, almost to the point of being annoying.
Girls (Kiba and Tsuki) were frankly put, bitches. The boys will fight over food, but the girls used to fight over me, food, one looked at another one wrong, you name it they sometimes had a cause for it. Kiba is a lot more handler focused and is a lot smarter than the boys. They are also little spitfires and kept me on my toes.
But then, I have Charlie, who is a girl. But hindsight I think it was good I gave her a boys name, because she acts like the boys, and girls (not sure if that's her "breed/mix" thing or just her). She is smart, driven, has never had a bitch fight with either or the girls, but she's as dumb and dorky as the boys.
My next dog will probably be a boy, though if next dog comes after Kiba has passed I will probably get a more dominant type female to rule the others. Kiba keeps the other kids inline with no questions asked, even if she is the smallest!
I don't have a strong preference, because I like the traits of both equally. Sometimes a bitchy bitch is fun, sometimes it's nice to have a dog that worships you like a male does. I get whatever fits in my household at the time, and love them for who they are. Now in cats, I have a strong preference for males. (so much lovier!)
There are certain dog breeds in which I prefer one sex over the other, but those aren't breeds I plan to own, so it doesn't affect me directly. ie; BC bitches seem to be way snarkier than Stafford bitches, and that level of snarky might irritate me. And in some breeds, I find the look of the show-line males to be excessive, and prefer the bitches as less exaggerated.
There are certain dog breeds in which I prefer one sex over the other, but those aren't breeds I plan to own, so it doesn't affect me directly. ie; BC bitches seem to be way snarkier than Stafford bitches, and that level of snarky might irritate me. And in some breeds, I find the look of the show-line males to be excessive, and prefer the bitches as less exaggerated.
and several other vulgar names. She's got 'tude, dude.
Growing up we usually had a male and a female and I always preferred the boys so I have kind of stuck with males. I like how needy, loving and goofy they tend to be. To my boys I am the center-of-the-universe. I always felt slighted by our girls and their more independent nature and attitude. That said I would own a female again if the right one fell in my lap.
It's so interesting hearing people's observations on this. Funny because my family dogs were all females and they were ALL really affectionate, needy dogs who worshiped their people. And then my two boys have been more independent (in their own ways). And Onyx so far is a very very affectionate, cuddly, velcro type dog.
I guess I just have things all backwards!
I guess I just have things all backwards!
True! And I think the same thing was true of all the female dogs I had growing up, more of a breed related thing than gender. It's just funny that I've had such opposite experiences than the usual gender stereotypes.
Jasper is a funny independent Collie, and while Yarrow adores his people, he has a lot of northern type breeds in his background and is just a more independent sort of dog.
I think I'm pretty happy with the mix I have now!
Jasper is a funny independent Collie, and while Yarrow adores his people, he has a lot of northern type breeds in his background and is just a more independent sort of dog.
I think I'm pretty happy with the mix I have now!