Gender Preference

L

lizziedog1

New member
I am thinking about getting a hunting dog. I am leaning towards a Brittany. This will be first hunting dog. I have many questions, but one seems to get strong responses one way or another. That is the question of gender.

For those of you with hunting dog experience, which gender do prefer? Why?
 
I deal with this on the hog dog level... I am really getting tired of my options... Stud dogs are tuffer mentally for me personally to train on. Gyps are in cycle twice per year so 3 weeks each cycle are "HOT" heat so 5 weeks easy are off limits if males are on the ground as they won't do nuttin but hunt my gals... That is 2.5 months per year down time... I am about to let someone else train my stud dogs so I can skip the gyps... not to mention I have to worry about stray coyotes humpin' a chained gyp. I want to buy the old county jail to be my kennel yard but the cash flow is too low!
Brent
 
Brittany great breed for Grouse

Hogdogs is correct with his concerns.... aggravations dealing with females but....

I grew up with lots of coonhounds and different bird dogs(pointers and setters) and I would always lean toward females.
It's been my experience that generally they are more easily trained and get less distracted than males.
Even with that 2 month loss every year they are worth the trouble.
 
If you are working the dog alone it is not as big of an issue when they are in heat. Females seem to take to training alot easier, but the big males seem to have more stamina. What kind of hunting are you gearing up for? Brittany's are great your already on the right track.
 
cornbush said:
If you are working the dog alone it is not as big of an issue when they are in heat.
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This is probably a dumb question, but unless you're planning on breeding dogs (and know something about it) as well as hunting them, why wouldn't you spay/neuter?? Too many badly bred and/or unwanted dogs out there as it is...
 
Vanya, the problem with "badly bred" is show bred dogs and puppy mill pets as well as the uncontrolled "handy and ready" (he was handy and she was ready) random breedings leading to over population of useless dogs.

In the working dog world any dog that does the dog very well is a prospect to consider for future working dogs to replace the ones that die of accident or old age.
I have 2 females I would love to get pups from but never get them to the right stud when they are season. They are 4 1/2 now.
Now I can point you to a ton of dogs that could never do the dog their breed was created for that need fixed as they are just replicating failures...
Brent
 
I am thinking about getting a hunting dog. I am leaning towards a Brittany.
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Dogs.jpg

You mean like these? Sorry the dogs are sleeping and not pointing or retrieving, it's the only picture I have on this computer. I have owned an English Setter, a Weimaraner, and now 2 Brittanys. Brittanys will spoil you, they are natural hunters, and they point and retrieve. These two are pheasant hunting machines. The older of the two can carry live birds in her mouth without harming them (at least until they spur her).
For those of you with hunting dog experience, which gender do prefer? Why?
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I prefer females, they do not range as far, and they are easier to hunt over. Males have lots of energy, but I can hardly keepup with these in the chukar hills as it is. And females are more caring and affectionate.
 
This is probably a dumb question, but unless you're planning on breeding dogs (and know something about it) as well as hunting them, why wouldn't you spay/neuter?? Too many badly bred and/or unwanted dogs out there as it is...
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Except for a few very limited medical reasons, there is no reason to spay or neuter your dog or bitch.
IMHO, that is a poor way to make up for irresponsible dog ownership.
If a person can not secure and manage their dog, they shouldn't own one in the first place.
I don't like to see a dog running loose even IF it is spayed or neutered and THAT is how you have unwanted breedings.


To the OP, what Scorch said and I would add that females "GENERALLY" are easier to train and more submissive although I have seen some tough girls too.
They tend to have an easier going personality.
 
dipper said:
IMHO, that is a poor way to make up for irresponsible dog ownership.
If a person can not secure and manage their dog, they shouldn't own one in the first place.
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In an ideal world, sure. But I know too many responsible people who've had to deal with unwanted litters produced when someone else's dog jumped a fence, or...
I don't like to see a dog running loose even IF it is spayed or neutered and THAT is how you have unwanted breedings.
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Agreed; see my point above. It's sorta like drinking and driving -- just because you don't do it is no guarantee you won't be hit by someone who does.

To the OP, what Scorch said and I would add that females "GENERALLY" are easier to train and more submissive although I have seen some tough girls too.
They tend to have an easier going personality.
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Indeed -- I've nearly always had females, and I've found them far more biddable than males... but the boys are a lot more tractable without their 'nads. (Just talkin' dogs here, wouldn't want to generalize...:D)
 
It is a hard question to answer. I have had better luck with females, but the good males I have had were better individually than any of the females. I think the best thing to do is find a litter where you are pretty sure you want one of the pups, then look at each of the pups and pick the best one for you then roll it over so to speak.

Evan
 
Not all of us have the funding to own premium roofed (dogs will climb out if they so desire) kennels. I have my dogs on yard chains so a free roaming male can "tag" my gyps in heat...

A little girl asked her Mom, "Mom, may I take the dog for a walk around the block?"
Mom replies, "No, because she is in heat."
"What's that mean?" asked the child.
"Go ask your father", answered the mother, "I think he's in the garage."
The little girl goes to the garage and says, "Dad, may I take Belle for a walk around the block? I asked Mom, but she said the dog was in heat, and to come to you."
Dad said, "Bring Belle over here." He took a rag, soaked it with gasoline, and scrubbed the dog's backside with it and said, "Okay, you can go now, but keep Belle on the leash and only go one time around the block."
The little girl left, and returned a few minutes later with no dog on the leash. Surprised, Dad asked, "Where's Belle?"
The little girl said, "She ran out of gas about halfway down the block, so another dog is pushing her home."

Brent
 
personally, i prefer female dogs as opposed to males. females, stick to the business at hand better than a male, unless she is in season (and if you don't want pups, there is a way around that). males, are just like us, always looking for a little strange stuff. if they smell anything that may even remotely be "aluring", they either get quite distracted, or are gone. the difference between us and them, is basicly money. dogs do not get divorces and loose half of their stuff! lol. brittneys are GREAT dogs. we called ours Frosty, she was the absoloute best dog i have ever had the pleasure of knowing. i can not say enough good about her. i will miss her always. she was a natural in the feild, loved hunting, and was a great house dog, and traveling companion as well. just perfect. the only thing bad about long haired dogs is all the crud that finds its way into its hair. if your dog is half as good as her, you will be one lucky dog owner.
 
Gender versus sex

The initial post mentions gender while meaning sex. The primary definition of gender is feminine and masculine, describing nouns. Sex defines male and female.

I have never heard of dogs referred to as either masculine or feminine.
 
Well, actually, to be precise, a male canine is a "dog" and a female canine is a "bitch"....but we commonly call our domestic canines "dogs" whether we are referring to a male or female.

Websters new world dictionary defines gender as a persons sex, I guess we carry it over to the world of "dogs" too....close enough for government work on this board IMHO.
 
I would have to ask which specific type of hunting are you wanting to use the dog and how serious of hunting are you intending?

I had a friend that had a Standard Schnauzer, female, that was one of the best quail hunters I've ever seen. But if you don't like a barker, then you don't want this breed.

If you're fox hunting, then sight hounds with good sense of smell like beagles or coonhounds are a good bet.

My personal favorite: For duck hunting, I'm extremely biased in favor of an English Lab....NOT a field Lab. There's a big difference in general, IMHO.

Pheasant? I like German Shorthairs and Brittany Spaniels.

I think the number one concern should be what temperament you want in a dog. Then pick what type of hunting you do most. THEN, pick the breed. Remember, temperament is what you have to deal with not only when hunting, but when they're interacting with family on their downtime...

Sorry, I know you only asked about the gender, not a long dissertation on what breed is good for what. I lean towards females. But all my animals get fixed. Both genders have their pros and cons I guess. I think it's all a matter of just getting used to the quirks.
 
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There are more reasons than birth control to spay or neuter a dog. As a general rule they are easier to train and less likely to stray. A spayed or neutered dog will also tend to be bigger and stronger than otherwise.
 
As a general rule they are easier to train and less likely to stray. A spayed or neutered dog will also tend to be bigger and stronger than otherwise.
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It is not always true that a spayed or neutered dog is easier to train.
It depends on the dog or bitch in question.
I have seen dogs that were neutered become
COMPLETELY unmanageable and have to be put down after being neutered.

NO, they don't get stronger, they may get bigger as in FATTER, they loose some of their drive and tend to be less active---it will not make a dog stronger.

I have never neutered any of my males and they all lived good long lives---my last male Rottie lived to be over 14 years old and he was intact.
The rest all lived over 10 years old.
The two bitches I have owned were long lived too.
This spaying and neutering junk is for those that do not control their animals and let them run.
 
Brits

One clarification there, Scorch, your Brits aren't sleeping:
THEY ARE ON "ANTI-LEVITATION" Duty!

How old is the right side one? seems about 9yrs?

Have had both Springer(F, spayed) and Brit (M & F,spayed) all three were hunting fools.

Springer I trained myself @ 6 months had her sitting on the trap line (with shooters' permission) and she wanted to fetch the clays. 9th month took her to a Ohio Public area for exercise (State did "Put & Take" birds), had one flush before she was close, I winged it, dropped to ground and RAN, Ginger in hot pursuit and closing.
Watch both rear ends crest the hill-top as I'm trying to catch-up, got to half-way up hill and Ginger cresting hill will Bird in mouth and Head HELD HIGH!
She knew what to do there after.

ONLY one word of warning on both Springers & Brits, you ever miss, the "LOOK" is unforgettable! They are MASTERS!
 
This spaying and neutering junk is for those that do not control their animals and let them run.
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Unless it was an agreement with the breeder to spay the dog...
Or to help keep owners of male dogs from going crazy when my bitch is in heat...
Or for medical reasons (whether one agrees with them or not)...

Spaying and neutering isn't a black & white issue.

Now, let's get back to choices for a hunting dog....
 
Black Lab, female. Two of my friends have them and have personally trained them. These dogs are loving, have great personality, and are great for house/hunting dogs. They don't run crazy like males and are the best hunting dogs I have ever seen.
 
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