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To boy or not to boy, that is the question!

2K views 33 replies 22 participants last post by  HRodman 
#1 ·
Greetings and salutations my dear Doberman fanatics! What do y'all think about gender when it comes to owning a single pet? Would you prefer a male or a female? Do they come with their perks and disadvantages? Share your experience! :p
 
#2 ·
I've owned a male dog that wasn't a dobe growing up and I now have a female dobe. The female dobe I have is much more of a cuddler, but that could also be because she's a dobe lol. I plan to add a male though at some point in the future.

I'm sure there are others who have had both and can be of more help. I try not to get too hung up on gender unless introducing a second dog into a home.
 
#4 ·
I hate pediatric spays and I cannot stand bitches in heat, so that sort of closes my options for me :p There is just something about male dogs as well that I prefer, it's been easier to "get to know them" and they've sought a more personal connection than the females I've been around. Mostly non-dobes, but the girls are all business and the boys are all play in my life.

Skoll was much the same, seeking a personal one-on-one connection rather than regarding me like an employer like the girls do.
 
#22 ·
You said pretty much exactly what I was going to say. I would love a female Dobe at some point (and if Bruce is still kicking at that point will have to go with a female), but I have yet to own a female that I really bonded with. All my male dogs have been goofy, cuddly, playful and I bonded deeply with them.
 
#6 ·
My dobergirl is sensitive, but plenty entertaining haha. I mean there is never a dull moment. She's also been great to train. Luckily with this breed, I think whether you go male or female, they will be PLENTY entertaining lol :)

Both are protective, goofy, loving, cuddlers. It sounds like you're already leaning towards a male going by your thread. So maybe just go with a male?
 
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#8 ·
We prefer male dobies but our female had the leaking urine issues from the age of two she had been spayed as we don't breed. I will say our males only six months old so I don't have a lot of experience but he is just as loving as she was. One of the things my husband loved about our female she would sleep in the crook of his legs laying her head on his hip they slept like that all night. The very first time Ruger was in bed with daddy he slept the same exact way!
 
#9 ·
I have only had a female dobe but she is my lovebug. She loves to cuddle but is always on the lookout for "threats" to her family.

She can be stubborn. I have not experienced mood swings with her but she was spayed when she was 6 months old which has resulted in spay incontinence at 3 years old but it is easily managed with cornsilk.

Coco is not a well bred dobe from a reputable breeder. She is a very oversized, over the standard byb dobe. She weighs 85 lbs and is 30'. Everyone thinks she is a male because she is not a dainty female. No one bothers us when we are out walking late at night....they all cross the road before they get to us. ;)

My ideal situation would be a male and female but its just not in the cards right now. :butfly:
 
#11 · (Edited)
I have one of each. Both Dobermans. I couldn't tell you which sex I prefer anymore. I've only ever had males and my girl Rogue is a first for me and she is incredible and has changed my view on females. She's very cuddly and really loves being with me and is such a goof. She's more of a love bug then my boy is. Diesel is my baby. He's such a goofball but also very independent. He's very attached to me but he likes to do his own thing as long as I'm near by. Now at night when we're in bed he melts into my arms. Such a typical boy ;) Hes definitely a character and while my girl can be a goof she is also the serious one at the same time where as Diesel wants to play.

I've never noticed crazy mood swings. She was a little more clingy while in heat but nothing drastic. I think, having one of each, that they compliment each other very well. It's the best of both worlds!
 
#14 · (Edited)
I've had two males and two females.

My males were more out-going, interested in seeing the world, focused outward, so to speak. I could always count on them to be friendly with strangers and willing to be petted.

My females were more family and even single person oriented, more observant of my moods, reserved with strangers and fiercely loyal. I could always depend on them to be right there near me when I was out hiking, and not exploring to see if there was a girl dog anywhere nearby.

I think a lot of these temperament "issues" are really individual dog personality/breeding things that aren't really tied to the particular gender of the dog.

One of my females developed incontinence a number of years after spaying; the other hasn't (yet). The males killed bushes and damaged gardens by peeing on them :)

Six of one/half dozen of the other. I bet you'll love whichever gender you end up with.
 
#15 ·
I've had mostly females my entire life, with a small handful of males.

Of our Dobermans, two have been males and we have had one female.

I personally, if I can help it, won't have another male dog ever. Not because there is anything wrong with males, but I just seem to connect better with and enjoy females more.

Females (in my experience) are: Better thinkers, can be a bit more questioning and not as push button, are affectionate but not needy about it, easier for me to train because they think more and I find them to be more focused over all (ironically, my female Doberman is anything but focused... but all of my other girls have been). I also like their smaller size and femininity. They've been more discerning of new people, which I like.

My males have been: Non-thinkers. They do because somebody else did. Are kind of in love with their people in a dopey, puppy-love way. They've been very needy about affection and don't give me nearly as much space and are always invading my bubble. My females all like to be near and close but they don't feel like I need to pet them constantly. My boys have been goofy in a very puppy like, never going to grow up way. My females are silly as well, but differently. My males have also been more outwardly needy and friendly with people that aren't family. They've also been more soft tempered when training and are really just derpy, silly boys that are obsessively in love with their people.

These are just generalizations and my experiences with my own dogs, so others' experiences will likely differ. Really, a dog is a dog is a dog. And they're all individuals, but boys IME are definitely more derpy and silly and immature I guess somehow haha. I just like the more composed, thoughtfulness of my girls. It's different for everyone and many people have no preference at all.

As for mood swings, my girls do not have mood swings. They're just dogs. The girls are just a little more calculating and don't just do because I told them to necessarily, where as my boy melts into a puddle of goo whenever I so much as look at him and just wants to do right and make me happy (most of the time - he certainly has obstinant moments as well).

Of my Dobermans: I think a male in a lot of ways would be an easier first Dobe experience, just because many of them are so mushy, but it totally depends on the person and the dog as well.
 
#17 ·
If you won't be spending time with other dogs (if you are, be aware of same-sex aggression), I'd be more interested in the individual temperament of the dogs and look for that, rather than sex. Each of mine have been very different from each other.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Both my Dobermans were/are boys. Logan was protective, a goofball with kids, hated other dogs, loved people, and was EXTREMELY sensitive to moods. If anyone came over who was having a bad day, Logan immediately went into Dober-cuddle mode and attached himself to them. Griffin is far, far more serious and reserved with people he doesn't know, but has a wicked sense of humor with me and my family. He's protective and is a cuddlebug. He's also not likely to melt into a puddle of goo when corrected. He is very needy when it comes to wanting attention. In fact, he's the first dog I've owned who knows five different commands for go away, we're done with the ear rubs for now.

I don't really have a preference though. My next dog will be a girl, because I refuse to have two males with Griffin in the house. I've had and/or lived with female dogs of other breeds (Rottweiler, ACD, rottie mix, Lab, terrier mix, spaniel mix) and have had a variety of personalities. They were all good dogs too. Spay incontinence is a consideration, but out of all of them, only the ACD has it.

If I had no dogs, and the sex of the new dog wasn't a factor, I would pick the best match personality-wise. Sex and the color of the Dobe were the last considerations on my list when I adopted Logan. I was only looking at males when I adopted Griffin, because my housemate's dog is female and we wanted a male/female combo. Little Dog is very dominant and probably wouldn't like another female challenging her.

A reputable breeder will know their pups. Talk to that person. They'll know which puppy will be best suited for you. I don't really think you can lump all males and all females into certain categories. There will always be individual dogs that don't fit the formula of 'all girls are like this' and 'all boys are like that.' Murphy's Law says you'll get one of the outliers who won't act like a typical male or female anyway!
 
#19 · (Edited)
To a degree I think you get back what you expect to get out of a dog. If you expect a dog to be playful, you're likely to engage him in play. If you expect a bitch to be serious, you'll probably treat her more seriously.

I've not experienced "mood swings" with bitches. They tend to be of the mind, "I say what I mean and I mean what I say" but they're not unpredictably bitchy or up and down. I would consider that poor temperament, not "just being a girl". Both my girls are *very* loving and affectionate with their people, they're both very playful and silly and big goofballs at home, and when they're serious about something, they're serious.

Fiona is outgoing and loves people and all forms of attention. Tali is reserved and watchful and prefers my attention to anyone else's. They're half-sisters and a year apart in age. Just because they're both girls doesn't make them exactly alike. They're individuals as all dogs are.
 
#20 ·
To a degree I think you get back what you expect to get out of a dog. If you expect a dog to be playful, you're likely to engage him in play. If you expect a bitch to be serious, you'll probably treat her more seriously.

I've not experienced "mood swings" with bitches. They tend to be of the mind, "I say what I mean and I mean what I say" but they're not unpredictably bitchy or up and down. I would consider that poor temperament, not "just being a girl". Both my girls are *very* loving and affectionate, they're both very playful and silly and big goofballs at home, and when they're serious about something, they're serious.
I agree. My preference for bitches is all because boys are gross :p
 
#21 · (Edited)
I have had one of each, but each one came to me as adults for different reasons.

My first dobie was a female. She was a sweetheart and a huge cuddle bug, and I found her to be very serious and more protective of me and the house. Not aggressive, just much more observant and standing guard by me until she figured out he situation was safe.

Fast forward to my current male. He is a total goofball, and kind of follows what my other dogs are doing. He is sweet and loving (always looking for attention from anybody), but doesn't necessary have to be in your lap like Molly did. As far as protection instincts, there are none that I can see. I always say if somebody breaks in, Deacon will be hiding in a closet lol.

I don't know how much of their behavior was just the individual personality or had to do with sex or was from their not so wonderful first few years of life...those are just the differences that I picked up on with the two.


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#23 ·
I agree that it depends on what you want from your dog and what kind of personality you like. I have always been a boy dog person, but now I have a little girl and she has changed my view a lot. I still love the boys (especially red ;) ), but I can definitely see an advantage to the females. If you plan on doing a lot with your dog (classes, sports, play dates, daycare, etc.), I would recommend getting a female. You might think you like the big size, but sometimes having a really large dog can be somewhat cumbersome.

In my experience, my boy is very sweet, goofy and playful but was much more "difficult" in terms of raising (more bold, what's-in-it-for-me attitude), but he is very velcro and needy. My little girl is much more serious. She is very intense and focused already at roughly 5 months of age, and I was just starting to get that kind of focus from my boy at age 2. She is super snuggly and affectionate, but a little more independent.

These are just my two particular dogs, and judging all males or females by that would not be right, but those are my experiences. I suggest that you first decide what it is you want to do with your dog and research to find a good breeder. Responsible breeders will be able to match you with a puppy whose temperament matches what you are looking for best, male or female.

Good luck!
 
#24 ·
I find the generalizations about males to be really interesting...Simon was very, very mushy and loveable and wanted to snuggle and be near me all the time. Richter is completely independent and hates when I try to snuggle him. Very opposite in that regard. Granted, Richter is still young, but I don't know that he'll be the "typical" clingy male. He certainly loves me, but he is NOT clingy.
 
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#25 ·
Richter is completely independent and hates when I try to snuggle him. Very opposite in that regard. Granted, Richter is still young, but I don't know that he'll be the "typical" clingy male. He certainly loves me, but he is NOT clingy.
This sounds like Bruce, he loves me to death, but isn't overly clingy or needy, every now and then he will cuddle, but usually its me wanting to cuddle him (he puts up with it lol).

As for the comment about males "doing because someone else did", and being "derpy", that is not Bruce at all. He is goofy, and silly and playful, but when it comes to training and working he is extremely serious. I've worked with/trained a lot of dogs, and he is the most fun I've ever had working with a dog. Very serious, has a mind of his own and will "test" me, but also extremely smart and catches on fast. He loves to work, but he is very much a thinker, I always say that you can actually see him thinking. I had a female Border Collie that I did agility with, and I never thought I would have another dog quite like her as far as working/training, but Bruce has far exceeded her. He is, (in my opinion) the perfect combination of silly/goofy, and serious/working.

This is of course just my experience. :)
 
#28 ·
I do want to say, in regards to my earlier post about girls being all business and boys being all play- that's not to say that the girls aren't goofy and the boys aren't serious. It's more in training, I've found. The girls have remained detached and performed because they were asked to perform. The boys wanted to perform because it would make me happy. I approach both genders the same so it's not me giving them the expectation that girls are serious and boys are playful.

Titan and Buster do what I ask them because it's me asking, even Skoll who was a food hound was the same. Baby and Mocha and Starling do what I ask because they have an ulterior motive and they know they'll get something out of it. Even though they all get rewards and know it... :lol2:
 
#29 · (Edited)
I don't think the dober pups that need the most cuddling are either M or FM....boils down to all early temperment & subsequent training/handling.
- more the individual confidence (or lack of independence), level of prey drive and if the pup is affected by some seperation anxiety, for its owner
I have only had 3 girls, while some boy &/or girl descriptions sound exactly like my dobes, past to present...regardless of gender.
 
#33 ·
I used to think I preferred females, but then I got Silas and my world was turned upside-down. But again, he's my first Doberman. ;) And I will always have one of each from now on - my two (opposite sex) get a long like no other.

I think you should go based on the individual temperament.
 
#34 ·
I was always taught that you pick the opposite sex that you are when it comes to dogs. I personally have 2 females and 6 males, and my males are more driven to please me and are loves. My females couldnt care less and are stubborn and bearly listen. The only female dog that I have had that actually listened we lost 3 weeks ago to cancer and she was a chocolate lab. She was my love and sidekick for 11 years.
 
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