Let me guess... You think females make better dogs. Why? You think male dogs
all "hump" things. You think males pee on everything. Do you think they wander more and females stay home? Females are more
family oriented, you say? Females are much easier to train, more protective, make better watchdogs...etc.
Now, please allow me to enlighten you...
I remember when I was a kid of 13, my mother purchased a chihuahua terrier mix
for herself. She was told that she should get a female because they were much better dogs and fed her all the "crap" mentioned
above...
Back in years past spay and neuter wasn't practiced very much. Homes were
spread out more and most dogs and cats just ran loose. Farmers and breeders, not wanting to get stuck with females (because
a male couldn't produce puppies or kittens on their farm) would tell people that the females were much better dogs for pets.
They didn't want to get "stuck" with the "litter producers". They would much rather get stuck with a male than a female. And
so these untruths were spread and are still believed by many people today.
So, let me clear up some of these misconceptions and Old Wive's Tales you have
believed for years...
To a certain extent and for the most part, regarding the smaller breeds
of dogs, those are indeed facts. Unneutered males will often be leg or toy humpers and may pee on anything, including your
leg! I know this is a fact as it has happened to me personally by a black Pug dog. I have seen some very gross
male dogs. My girlfriend's Boston Terrier is the biggest pig I ever met. So, yes, some of the smaller dogs can be a bit "crude".
Small dogs are more difficult to housebreak too. In well over a decade, I have yet to have any of my males hump anything other
than a female in heat, and that is unneutered, breeding, mature males!
Smaller dogs are often carried around throughout their lives, and a lot of people have an
aversion to the penis being right there. I fully understand that. However, border collies aren't carried as a general rule
so this is not a reason to want a female in this breed.
Male BCs will occasionally engage in a fight with another uncut male, however,
neutered males make excellent companions to other dogs and people and are much less likely to engage in battle. Female BCs,
on the other hand, are always game to fight with any other female, spayed or not. They can be very aggressive (not
with their family, but with other female dogs.) They seem to always be looking for trouble. They pretty much all want to be
the alpha dog, even over some males. There are exceptions. I don't want to insult those that have well behaved females. I
am speaking in general and there are exceptions to every rule. I congratulate you for properly training and handling your
girls. Some females are awesome, but a lot of females will have these characteristics.
Males do lift their leg to pee for the most part. Some neutered males never
learn the habit if neutered before maturity, though that can be problematical in it's own way. That's another story. Anyway,
the males, believe it or not, are usually (there are always exceptions) easier to housebreak. Yup! It's true! It's possible
that their plumbing is different, endowing them with more control. Maybe they have bigger bladders in case they need to mark
trees and stuff when they get mature. Males also very rarely suffer from nervous "leaking", which is very common in females.
As far as temperament goes... You can't beat a male BC for a companion dog.
They are generally calmer, and much easier going than the females. I like my males. I'd have my kennel full of nothing but
males if a breeding program could work that way. Females can be very antsy, overactive, and squirrely, whereas the males will
often be content to lay by your side or at your feet. Of course, their training has much to do with this also!!!
Females do tend to be smaller and faster than the males. Agility and frisbee
people seem to "prefer" the smaller faster females. A dog with a job to do must meet the job requirements. However, there
are many males out there doing these sports and winning, so, again, there are always exceptions.
Temperament as far as protection and guarding... Well, for the most part, the
females seem to bark more as they are usually wired differently than the males... (Okay, guys, no smart remarks about that
one!) Males will bark and they will protect. They are very devoted pets. However, they will bark when necessary, but usually
start at a later age than the females do. Females seem to mature quicker, (just like in people LOL), but are much less
silly so it's barely noticeable.
Male BCs do not wander off any more than females. If neutered, they almost never get the
urge to wander off. My alpha bitch here has started taking all of my dogs off down the power line trail every time I let her
out. They don't go there alone. They are a neutered male rescue, a breeding stud dog, and two yearling females. They
just follow her off the property! When she's not out there, they all stay home. I do think spaying and neutering will cut
out a lot of the wandering desire in both males and females.
Okay, now here's the negative part. At around a year old or a couple months
either way...usually around 14 months of age, a male that has been spoiled and allowed to dominate his family will go through
his rebellious "teen" period and may start to nip at children, strangers, and anything moving quickly or making noise such
as moving wheels, like bicycles, kid's toys, motorcycles, cars, trucks and children playing.
One of my pups lived beside a golf course and would attack anyone
who hit a ball. He bit several people and the last one was fairly severed. She called me sobbing telling me that she was going
to have to put him down and wanted to know if I wanted him back first. I told her to bring him back. He was neutered and very
well bred from two very nice parents. He wasn't bred to be that way. She brought him to me and I put him through, what I call,
"Doggie Boot Camp". Two weeks later, he was a changed dog. There are no bad dogs, only bad trainers. These dogs will require
firm handling and should never be allowed to dominate any human being. I had told his owner repeatedly to discipline him and
use strong corrections when he showed his teeth, snapped or attacked anyone. She was too soft with him and he became alpha!
That is NOT a good thing! She is now a mother of two very young children. She still has him and he has not made any attempts
to hurt the children or anyone else since he left here. When she saw the difference in him, she learned to be firm.
NEVER attempt to make a Border Collie "mean". It will ruin the dog, male or
female, neutered or spayed. Females can be nippy also, it's bred into the BC breed, however, I've gotten more males in
rescue due to nipping issues. IF you persist through that period in their lives, (it can last up to 4 months), but once they
learn you are the boss, he will be the best dog you ever had. Some dogs never go through this, in fact I would say the majority
of them don't, however, it is worth mentioning as it can be a serious issue if handled incorrectly. I still think the males
make much better pets on the whole.
Well, that's the truth in my humble opinion. In small dogs, I would definitely
stick with females. They DO make better pets than the males. However, in the Border Collie breed, I will always recommend
a male over a female for a family pet. I've had many years of experience with this breed and this is the truth, not fiction.
Please know, I am not saying females are bad and not worth having. Females can make wonderful
pets and I have many, many happy families with my female BCs. I just think it's time somebody stands up for the males, because
they are not the horrible beasts most people have been brainwashed to believe they are. In the BC breed the males have a lot
of merit. They make excellent pets, so don't believe the hype. Choose your next puppy with an open mind. See which one grabs
at your heartstrings, regardless of the sex. Make your choice unbiasedly. The males are truly wonderful and should not be
descriminated against for their sex.
Thank you for reading this, and whatever you decide, I hope you will enjoy a
long happy life with your new family member, regardless of which sex your puppy turns out to be. And remember, I am always
available to help and answer questions, no matter what time, day or night, 7 days a week.
Debby
God Bless America!
Please Pray for our Troops!
