Male of Female

[kathy and clowie]

Hi All,

My brother and his wife are seriously considering getting a boxer puppy, and they were wondering if there is a major difference behavior/affection wise with the sexes. I had heard that the females are more affectionate than the males, but I only have a female, so I wouldn't know about the males. Any one have any input on this? Thanks!!

[LynseeC]

I think once they're altered the difference is minimal and of opinion. Even when intact I think a lot of it definitely varies with personality. I've heard stories of the boys taking a little longer for their brains to catch up...but again, I'm guessing that is a personality factor as well.

If they're seriously considering a puppy, they need to sit down and think about what kind of personality they're looking for and then express that to either a reputable breeder or a respected rescue organization. Either of these options ought to place them with a puppy with a personality that best suits their lifestyle, regardless of gender.

I don't have boy dogs because of anatomy and personal preference. I am not a smega fan but if the right dog came along with the perfect disposition for us and what I wanted the dog for I would reconsider my smega aversion...LOL.

[Arbiesmom]

I personally love male dogs and woul'd never have chosen a female. I only got Ella as I know male/female mix better together.
I have always been around male dogs and the occasional female. I find male dogs are very affectionate but are also independant (they may not always want to cuddle up or follow your commands) This suits me because I don't always want a dog slobbering over me twenty four seven! A male is physically stronger than a female so when they go through the "teenage stage" you have to make sure you are the leader.

If your brother and wife are new to dogs they may be better off starting with a female. Ella is very affectionate (over the top sometimes LOL) - she is easier to handle physically than Arbie - she still misbehaves as much as he does but because she is smaller it is easer. She does sulk which I believe is a trait in female dogs. A male dog never sulks - they just bounce back!.

A female will still show all the boxer traits without the constant challenging for position in the pack - Ella will try to do this at times but she's not physically able to harm as a male might.
Hope this helps

[Frye&Dex]

I have noticed in my experience, granted not all female dogs are like this, that the female dogs I have been around tend to be more dominant. However, this is in different breeds so I am not 100% sure about boxers. My two boys are VERY affectionate. I would say that sometimes Frye tends to be independent but still LOVES to cuddle but at other times, he just wants to be touching you, whether it is your feet or preferably your lap. Dex is my shadow. He never wants to leave my side and follows me throughout the house. I have NEVER seen my boys get aggressive or dominant.

I think that it is truly a personal preference. Like the others have said, if they are new to dogs a female might physically be easier to control but I don't think that males are more affectionate than females or vice versa. It is a personality thing.

[grammie]

males are definitely more affectionate! mama's boys big time lol.

if she already has a female, then a male would be a good choice. 2 females might not get along.

i lucked out with Vetty. she was 6 months old when we got her and happy as could be to let thor be dominant. not that she couldn't give him a royal smackdown anytime/anywhere, she just chooses to not be bothered by any of thor's hysterics lol. vetty is very clever and will watch a toy like a hawk for the first hint that thor is going to give it up. she'll even lay nose to nose with him waiting she's VERY patient LOL. but she would never just grab it from him.

Lynsee had excellent advice. pick the personality that matches her home and buy from a reputable breeder or responsible rescue.

one of each is always the best i think.

[Damon]

they call female dogs "bitches" for a reason.

sully and bear are both lovey doveys all the time. binga is most of the time, but she has a really sassy streak in her. if shes in the mood to talk back and i tell her to do something she doesnt want she will bark at me then pout.

[LynseeC]

Grams right, another component to consider is the gender of the other dog in the home-that is IF they have another dog in the home.

Matix is a female and was the most dominant in her litter, she is also EXTREMELY affectionate, however. When I got a female I was worried about her not wanting to cuddle, but it's quite the opposite, really.

If I'm not mistaken, Stephanie(Tara can correct me if I'm wrong) I think you're right....most of the time, isn't it females that are generally more dominant, or lead in packs? I thought I had heard that some where....could be a crock.

Any who, Kathy, you're gonna get a lot of varied responses on this topic, but what it boils down to is....personality. Once they figure that out, and have a little patience, they'll get the perfect companion going through a respected breeder or rescue organization.

[Jenentonik]

I can tell you from my experience with the three I have that the males are way more affectionate then my female! Tank is seriously the biggest love bug lap dog I have ever owned

[LynseeC]

Originally Posted by Jenentonik

I can tell you from my experience with the three I have that the males are way more affectionate then my female! Tank is seriously the biggest love bug lap dog I have ever owned

Yeah....or is it just the breed that likes to snuggle and be lovey? I mean, Tracy is Ella a love bug? Kathy, is Clowie? Grams, is Vettie? Matix FOR SURE is....more than any dog I've ever had before....male or female....so is this just a snuggly breed or is there really that big of a gender difference?

[Jenentonik]

I think it may be the breed Tank has to have someone to sleep with or at least a soft surface to sleep on. If he had his wish he would be sleeping in my bed every night

[DingBat]

I've only ever had one male dog my entire life, and I got him when he was already 7 years old and that was 15 years ago; I can't remember any more how affectionate he was....

Both Molly and Willow are cuddlers, when they want to be. What I've noticed though, is that they both became MORE affectionate after going through their first heat cycles.

I think Damon hit the nail on the head though, both of mine can be VERY stubborn and pushy if they're in a mood.

[grammie]

thor is the most cuddly, but he's a total mama's boy.

vetty is more independent and for years you could love her up and pet her, but if you asked for lovins you'd get stink eye. thor gives lovins on command, but then again, we got him at 8wks old so he's pretty much a body part in this family

skids is a total lover. she'll plop herself and spoon, back roll for tummy rubs, etc at the first sign of encouragement. i can't get out of the truck, run in a store, or pump gas, without skids mauling me with kisses like a long lost friend a few minutes later

personality is #1 for us. if i had the choice of a perfect specimen for the breed, versus a great personality and good health, i'd pass on the specimen every time. granted looks are what attracts you to go inquire about a certain dog, but personality seals the deal

rereading the thread, I realized your brother doesn't have a dog now, so any sex will do.

[Arbiesmom]

As most have said finding a reputable breeder or rescue will be highest on the list - make sure they have all health testing done that is available for any health issues. Then pick a pup with the personality they like - it could turn out to be either sex.

[Frye&Dex]

Sounds like Skids and Frye are the same. There was a dog event in a our city last year and I wanted to go, but I need to get the dogs through some training first as they are too excited when the meet people. Anyway, they had a kissing contest and I want to enter Frye in it next year. He will lick your face off! Like you said about Skids, you walk out the door, come back two seconds later and he kisses you like you haven't seen him in weeks! He is very loving. Dex's kisses are 100% opposite. He barely gives them (more of a cuddler) and gives these tiny kisses with the tip of his tongue. Very elegant kisses you could say..

[Super Heros]

Lyns--I am scared to ask what is smega??


Here is my 2 cents: I totallly agree that personality is key but you aren't going to see all of it up front unfort. in a puppy--I do think male/female pairs are "easier" to handle but it is a wives tale about female boxers not being able to live together which drives me nuts bc ALMOST every damn rescue states that...ugggghhh...
Back to the topic, Hulk is the hands down the biggest sissy- momma's boy-couch cuddling- kiss giving lover lover around! When he gets in trouble he will pout in his kennel bc I yelled at him... I think Hulk's pack mentality is stronger don't really know if that is gender related but he is first to protect the pack(which gets him in trouble-bc that is my job)

Storm is a sweet sweet girl and people always perfer her bc she is smaller and more submissive (only around strangers)..She has a dominant streak in her and a bit of sassy pants. Storm is def. daddy's girl, she will follow him and stay with him if he falls asleep on the couch...but she will cuddle until the cows come home...Her prey drive is much higher. I think if she were not deaf she may challenge Hulk for the dominant role. She is very confident and independent.

[LynseeC]

Andrea....WELCOME BACK first of all... I'm excited to see you.

Second, Smega is that wonderful green goop that accumulates on a doggie's sheath.

[kathy and clowie]

Thanks all for your input, you have been very helpful. I can see what everyone is saying about the males being affectionate, and I do think it is the boxer breed that does it. I had a male mutt years ago, and he was not very cuddly. My dad has a male rotty that could care less about being pet. Clowie loves being pet, sleeping with me, all kind of contact. And we were extremely fortunate that she has turned out to be such a great dog. We bought her from puppyfind.com from a dealer that shipped her to an airport near us. We didn't know about the health testing or any of the other things you should do when you are getting a boxer, we only did background info on the breed to see the problems they can have and temperement.

Thanks so much for everyone's input. I will even talk to them about joining the website so they can see the thread and get more info on the breed. I know I have learned so much from this site. Thanks again!

[Arbiesmom]

Originally Posted by LynseeC

Andrea....WELCOME BACK first of all... I'm excited to see you.

Second, Smega is that wonderful green goop that accumulates on a doggie's sheath.

Arbie got that once and the vet explained it was a hygeine thing - I kept telling him to stop licking there thinking he was being obsessive - apparantly it's normal to lick to clean and prevent infection. No more telling 'em to stop licking themselves here!!!

[Arbiesmom]

Originally Posted by kathy and clowie

Thanks all for your input, you have been very helpful. I can see what everyone is saying about the males being affectionate, and I do think it is the boxer breed that does it. I had a male mutt years ago, and he was not very cuddly. My dad has a male rotty that could care less about being pet. Clowie loves being pet, sleeping with me, all kind of contact. And we were extremely fortunate that she has turned out to be such a great dog. We bought her from puppyfind.com from a dealer that shipped her to an airport near us. We didn't know about the health testing or any of the other things you should do when you are getting a boxer, we only did background info on the breed to see the problems they can have and temperement.

Thanks so much for everyone's input. I will even talk to them about joining the website so they can see the thread and get more info on the breed. I know I have learned so much from this site. Thanks again!

Hope they find a boxer babe soon! Let them know health testing is the major decision when picking a breeder. Then go with the pup they like. Male/female - not a lot of difference as far as breed traits - from what I see in Arbie and Ella - just that Ella is easier to control - she has her moments but is far easier to handle than Arbie.

[Super Heros]

Originally Posted by kathy and clowie

Thanks all for your input, you have been very helpful. I can see what everyone is saying about the males being affectionate, and I do think it is the boxer breed that does it. I had a male mutt years ago, and he was not very cuddly. My dad has a male rotty that could care less about being pet. Clowie loves being pet, sleeping with me, all kind of contact. And we were extremely fortunate that she has turned out to be such a great dog. We bought her from puppyfind.com from a dealer that shipped her to an airport near us. We didn't know about the health testing or any of the other things you should do when you are getting a boxer, we only did background info on the breed to see the problems they can have and temperement.

Thanks so much for everyone's input. I will even talk to them about joining the website so they can see the thread and get more info on the breed. I know I have learned so much from this site. Thanks again!

Tell them to rescue we have puppies right now www.austinboxerrescue.com and I know we could get some car legs to get the puppy where ever we needed!!

[Super Heros]

Originally Posted by LynseeC

Andrea....WELCOME BACK first of all... I'm excited to see you.

Second, Smega is that wonderful green goop that accumulates on a doggie's sheath.

I want tell you how much fun I have cleaning it
Our cardiologist says its a little infection so she made us treat it and I won't tell you how I had to violate my son!!!

[myheart4k9s]

Great advice all around.
The one thing I can say is in my experience, females tend to bond with the male owner more, where males tend to bond with the female owner more. Sometimes it can be a bad thing, but if trained properly early on, any sex will be fine. As you all know we have 15 dogs, and no issues because of training.
PS Female dog fights tend to be more lethal then males lol Either can be scary and tough to break up, but the worst injuries I have ever witnessed were from female battles. Just saying Damon was correct about them being "bitches" LMAO

[silvergal]

Autumn is a lover! Shes bonded with both my hubs and I. I just personally prefer females. Never had a male dog,the ahem,smega or whatever just solidified that in my mind.

[LynseeC]

Matix definitely bonded more to my husband initially and it really hurt my feelings But the more I trained her and feed her and walked just her and I, I can now proudly say I tie Daddy for first!

It certainly didn't help that he works from home and spent all day with her!! Now, it's a big party when I come home, Tyler says she thinks I'm the fun parent because when I come home from work we go do things like walks, runs, play and agility practice. HAHA poor Tyler is now the boring old house Daddy (but she still loves her Daddy a lot)