Male or Female - Page 1

I'm looking into purchasing my first working pup which I will be interested in starting Schutzhund with. I've got a few kennels I'm looking at right now but nothing for sure, at least until the new year comes around.

My personal preference is a male, of course, if the right female came along I would be happy as well but I was curious as to what you guys thought about a first time dog. Is there a valid reason for a beginner to get one gender over another?

Pros/Cons of each.I know it's no cookie cutter decision  and I hope it's not a stupid question to ask.

Kelli

 No one can really tell you what you should get.   Temperaments can range differently with both.  If you get a female you deal with the heat cycles......and if you already have any other male dogs you'll have to deal with that when she's in heat.  I personally like my male better, we do personal protection and not SchH. He seems more independent, and he's a very hard dog. Then again you can get that with certain females.  Some on one of the other posts on the database said their males were more territorial of the yard, and the females were more in tune and protective of the person.

Any specific reason you're preferring a male over a female?

I just get what I prefer, and for whatever reason I just prefer males.  Also I have no patience for dealing with female hormones and heat cycles, especially if I'm getting the dog for training and Schutzhund.  I'm not a breeder and have no intention to breed.

I have both, my male is my personal protection dog and my female has IPO 1. They are both fantastic working dogs each in their own way, my male is my shadow and is a big love sponge, the female is more independent. I currently have a litter and will be keeping one male and one female for French Ring. It really is a matter of personal opinion and of course the individual dog.

If anything I'm trying to convince myself that I want a male more than a female. xD

I just prefer males, but I've never had a female that I've bonded to.

Usually, I find females to be pushy and have been more independant than my male. And I'm not looking forward to dealing with heat, but it's something I can put up with since Lukas couldn't really give a hoot one way or another. Or at least he doesn't make too much of a fuss. He usually just paces around when my friends females are in heat.

 

I personally think if you limit yourself to gender alone - you might miss that exceptional puppy. I have a male and a female and I like each one of them for different reasons...... I have to say sometimes the heat cycle is a pain - mainly with schutzhund competitions - if they are in heat you go last - which I dont guess is a big deal. (I am just impatient). Another would be -you can't run the AD if they are in heat.... Seems I have to plan a little differently for competing with my female than with my male - when he is ready I can just compete - not so much with my female based on what I just advised. Not to mention some heat cycles she acts a little looney and training is a pain. Good Luck in your decision....