Boys vs. Girls.
Neuter/Spay vs. Leave Intact
Many customers have asked me over the years whether I prefer male or female puppies. First, the gender that we all prefer is just a preference, and I don’t believe that one gender is better, calmer or more affectionate than the other.
Like with human babies and children, their personalities are not reflective of their gender. Every dog has their own unique personality, and gender has nothing to do with it.
However, there IS a difference in SOME dogs’ behaviors based on gender IF the owner does not get his puppy spayed or neutered, which I always recommend.
If a male puppy is not neutered before he is fully mature (vets will usually neuter puppies around 5 or 6 months of age), he will be more likely to lift his leg to urinate, rather than to squat like a girl. Likewise, an intact male will be a lot more likely to “spray” (which is marking his territory) when there is another dog around, especially another male. And he will also be more likely to “hump” another dog to show his dominance, and at times, he may “hump” a person’s leg for the same reason. Most of this will be avoided if the male is neutered.
What people don’t realize, however, is that females also have the potential of being the alpha dog and marking her territory by leaving drops of concentrated urine wherever she is.
My strong opinion is that unless the owner plans to intentionally and responsibly breed his dog, both genders should be “fixed.”
Why?
Neutered males are much less likely to stray from home when he senses a female in the area that is in heat, thus, less of a chance that he will want to escape the perimeters of his property.
Neutered males are less likely to “hump” another dog or a person’s leg..
Neutered males are less likely to “spray” to mark his territory.
Neutered males tend to be less active and calmer, making a better lap dog.
Neutered males will not increase the dog population if given a chance, thus creating unwanted puppies.
Spayed females will not be as likely to mark her territory.
Spayed females will not go into heat, thus, they won’t leave spots of blood through out the house (on the floor and on furniture), and will not have heat cycles that cause anxiety.
Spayed females tend to be calmer in general.
Spayed females will not be at risk of having unwanted pregnancies and will not increase the dog population if given the chance.
Spayed females will not be at risk of having cancer of the reproductive organs at an older age.