Female dogs sure get a bad rap on web searches

[Julie and Maggie]

There is a strong chance that the puppy we pick will be female. Someone ahead of us in line has expressed a preference for a male and there is only one male golden colored pup. Ok, I can go with that. We had thought we would choose a boy, but for very little reason other than that all the boys in the house just gravitated to that idea.

 

Now that I'm actually looking into gender and I am doing my googling, I am a little surprised at how negatively the females are portrayed. More often then not, they include the comment, "They aren't called b****** for nothing." Wow, nice way to describe Lassie. Personally I want to make a choice based on temperament first and gender later.

 

So I am pretty sure by posting here that all my doodle girl mom friends will be more than happy to gush about their sweet girls. Let me hear it!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

My Seda is the most gentle, comical and affectional doodle.  She has a favorite stuffed toy, half her size, that she takes out side with her when she does her business.  When she is done, she picks up "baby" and brings her back into the house, takes her ups the stairs, and puts he on my bed.  She sleeps with her head on z"baby".  She responds to "NO" better than my male, Webber.  He is also more independent, and doesn't have to be under my feet every minute.  Seda is easy and wonderful and playful.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

the edits of my mistakes didn't take:  she takes her up the stairs......she sleeps with her head on the baby.  And She is also more independent.....GEEEZE

[Adina P]

All the females I've had have been more independent but that is a sample of 3--not too scientific. I don't think you have anything to worry about, honestly. You won't be getting a feminine 'girl' except if you dress her up :) But most likely with a good breeder and temperament you'll get a great dog regardless of gender.

[Bonnie and Kona]

We have had males and females. I think your first priority should be temperament and you will be fine. I know that I have seen people posting about color or size or hair type, but when it comes down to it you will care most about temperament when all is said and done.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Actually, Lassie was a male. :) (Or I should say, all the many dogs who portrayed Lassie were males.)

I think the negativity about female dogs on the internet may be a backlash, because females are greatly preferred by many people, especially first-time dog owners and people who are not very well educated about dogs and believe that males mark, lift their legs on everything, are more aggressive, more active, etc. I know that the doodle breeders are usually kind of upset when they get male-heavy litters, because the males don't sell as well as the females. Some breeders even charge more for females than males.

Male dogs in shelters are much less likely to be adopted than females. In the DRC, when we have had a litter  of puppies, we get several times more applications for the females than for males. So that may be the reason for what you're seeing, people trying to convince others that there are advantages to males and disadvantages to females.

I've had both sexes now, and I don't think sex has much to do with a dog's ability to be a great pet. Spaying and neutering takes care of most of the differences, anyway.

[Carol Brand]

Karen hit the nail on the head.  More people prefer bitches over dogs so breeders are always having to sing the praises of dogs to get people to consider them.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I appreciate this thread because I obviously have a boy and that is the only dog I have ever had. My mom wants a girl, and since we are going to be raising them together for a lot of the time and if and when the day comes that one of us is not here, the other one is taking each others dog so they will live together.

 

I only know boys and if I was to have my way, I would keep it that way because that is what I know, but with Jack I think he will be less jealous if it is a girl dog. Every thing I have seen in other girl dogs is exactly what other people said, it isn't the sex as much st the temperament

 

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[Dori & Rua]

I wanted a girl because I didn't want to rub a tummy and have "something" in the way!  LOL.  I think MOST dogs will be what you train them to be.  If YOU do a good job at training, I really don't think there would be much difference if you start with the temperament you are looking for.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Dori! That was my thinking until I got my first male. I asked a friend what to do with "that" in the way. She laughed at me.  I never even notice now because the tummy rub is a tummy rub. ;o)

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

I've had both sexes in multiple breeds. Generally I prefer males, but it's not a strong preference. Two of the dogs I miss most (both passed away many years ago) were females. I've had very girly-girl females and very butch tom-boy females. Choosing a male this time was deliberate, but I might get him a little sister in a couple of years. Chances are she'll be on the butch side because he's sooooo not!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that each one will be an individual. Your instinct to choose based on temperament is right on.

[Julie and Maggie]

I will confess to you all that I am keeping to myself just how much I would enjoy getting some more girly collars and doggie stuff if we do get a girl. My household has a very muted feminine tone to it, even in our decorating. But that's all superficial stuff anyway.

 

When I was young we had the best adult female dog ever. Her name was Swamp and a Japanese Spitz. That's my idea of the ultimate female dog. We only had her for a couple years because we were living oversees and she kinda got passed on family to family as we all came and went. So mellow, she handled it no problem.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

There is more girlie stuff out there to have fun with than boy stuff, but I just go ahead and buy Hawaiian flower print in red or orange and one of my boys has daisies on blue and as well as a pretty plaid.  They aren't too picky....