Bitches and dogs, what's the difference...

[nanalander]

You may think it a strange question. I've only had dog pups for the last forty years, now I have a bitch pup for the first time in a long long time. It's lovely to have a change, but she seems to be very different from a dog pup. I just mean her general bossiness, licking/cleaning both me and the other dogs, digging in her dog bed, and tunnelling under it. Are these just bitch behaviours ? I know at some point she will come into season, so she will be hormonal as well. Those of you who have kept both sexes or just bitches will probably be able to give me some insight into what I can expect in the first year or so. We are talking about a four month old LM. Thanks for reading this, I am always very appreciative of anyone taking the time and trouble to answer.

[Springfield Pointers]

I have always found dogs to be more stable and consistent in development than bitches. That being said, I've always been far fonder and protective of my bitches than the dogs. Sometimes you'll take a girl out, and say to yourself; "who the hell are you, and what have you done with my dog?"

In short - yes, I have always been aware of a difference.

[CockerCanuck]

I have had lots of both over the years. If I actually add up the columns it comes out to more bitches. I have always liked them. My experience has been different than SP but I am talking spaniels and retrievers which are different temperaments than pointers. If I think about the VERY BEST most of them were male, however, so were the most difficult. I have found bitches easier to train and that they mature quicker. I would much rather work with a 10 month old bitch than a male the same age. However, by two the difference is not so pronounced.

In short I agree there is a difference but good dogs come with both types of undercarriage options.

[Gundogs11]

Interesting.
I currently have 4 bitches and 3 dogs.
I consistantly find the boys a lot easier to train as pups, the bitch pups more aloof and always more difficult to house train.

[munstyman]

Oh my are you in for a treat
Having had both, including at the same time, I've always found the dogs easier going than the bitches. Having said that I do prefer bitches as I like the challenge. It took me a while to actually appreciate the change in hormones over six months and how it effects the mental processes of training...and its taken me nearly thirty years to give up on trying to beat it Now I just go with the flow and train what I can when I can with the bitches, where as the dogs have a far easier linear approach to training. There isn't even a consistent behaviour amongst the bitches, as they are nearly always different from one to another, one might get clingy before a season another after, and some get all maternal whilst another treats her season as an inconvenience to her hunting.
Not found a difference in house training though, all mine have been very easy. My current one is a nest builder but she is the first to do this, and she is the first to want to be with me, where as all my previous ones were happy to be in their own space. The bitches come across as more manipulative than the dogs, and less capable of problem solving, although that is based on my own small sample with no consistent variables

[Naj]

I’ve had many more bitches than dogs and for the past thirty years have stuck to bitches. I’ve had some nice dogs but I like bitches. My wife says I get on better with bitches but now I’m non confrontational in training I can’t really see why there’d be any difference in training. Unlike MunstYM mine don’t get the chance to do the Times crossword or sudoku of an evening so I’m not sure how good they are at problem solving but they manage to decipher what I’m wanting them to do without much fuss, which is a problem in itself at times. Seasons are a nuisance but they’re quickly through it and don’t stop me shooting or training with a dog and I can’t say a bitch is particularly manipulative, aloof or difficult to house train. Quite the reverse. I just train the dog. We have our ups and downs but that’s what I expect. I’d expect that with a dog, too.

Naj

[CockerCanuck]

Isn't this funny. I am not saying any of you are wrong it is just that my experience over about a dozen dogs is so different than yours. I always seem to end up in a battle of wills with the males (which we always have been able to work our way through) with the bitches it was always just smooth sailing all the way. I don't want to get into another discussion of FF and e-collars but I have never used either on bitches but I have on male dogs.

Perhaps I am just better skilled as a ladies man (although it has never been suggested before )

[Judy]

Only had one dog, he was easy to train apart from when there was a bitch in season within a mile or two. One or two of the bitches have been more devious and sulky but not all. I do seem to get on better with the more "doggy" bitches though so maybe I should have stuck with males all those years ago.

[Springfield Pointers]

Perhaps I am just better skilled as a ladies man (although it has never been suggested before )

I think that, in the context we are discussing, there is more truth in this statement than we realise...

[nanalander]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I can see that nothing is set in stone, and it's all down to the individual make up of that particular animal, bitch or dog. I will educate and train the pup I see in front of me, not expecting any behaviour being a 'bitch thing' (although it may be, but I just don't realise it.) I will keep a very open mind with this one, and a very close eye on her and her response to situations (training opportunities). It's all good fun, and keeps me on my toes. Maybe I just shouldn't overthink it, and let her get on with being a happy healthy pup.

Perhaps I am the opposite of CC, a mans lady ? And as Judy says dogs have been quite straightforward except when there is an in season bitch in the vicinity. MM thanks for your insight into 'our ' breed. Who knows our girls may be related. Anyway just off to take the dogs swimming to cool down in February in the UK! I bet that's not been said before!