Selecting a dog - Dog Or Bitch

After working through all the other decisions previously discussed including choosing the right type of dog, the characteristics of the breed that will match your lifestyle, as well as the pedigree or non-pedigree decision, there is one final decision to make. This decision includes choosing either a male or female puppy or dog, and this choice will have a large impact on many aspects of your dog's life including socialization, training, health issues and even breeding and aging.

In breeders terms it is important to realize that a male is known as a stud or a dog and the female is typically known as a bitch. While the terms have become used in other ways in slang and everyday language, when talking with dog breeders, handlers and trainers you will hear the terms of dog and bitch used to identify intact males and females. The word intact hrefers to the fact that they have not been spayed or neutered which in turn indicates that they are able to breed and reproduce.

In order to decide if a male or a female puppy or dog is the best choice for your household it is important to understand the behaviours that each of the sexes will begin to show as they mature. Each animal will show these basic traits, although to various degrees based on the specific breed, temperament, and level of maturity. Remember that these traits or behaviours are hormonally driven and that simple obedience training or socialisation will not prevent the animal from engaging in these behaviours. Some of the behaviours will be completely out of the control of the puppy or the dog, especially if they are mating instincts and behaviours.

As male puppies mature into full-grown dogs they undergo several changes both physically and behaviourally as well as in their ability to socialise with other animals, humans and dogs. Some of these changes can be limited or minimized by neutering, while others are determined genetically and will not be affected by the procedure.

A male dog in any breed is physically larger and heavier than the females of the same breed. It is not unusual for a male dog of a large breed to be two to five centimetres taller at the withers or shoulders. They are also usually longer in the body and heavier overall. They tend to have thicker legs and a deeper chest than the female of the same breed. This is a general statement only, and there may be smaller males or larger females of any breed. The increased physical size of the male is noticeable even in the small and toy breeds although the difference is less noticeable or even very minimal.

Male puppies typically begin to exhibit male behaviour within the first two months of their life. They may be more inquisitive than females, more aggressive in play, as well as more outgoing as puppies. This behaviour may translate into more aggression and territoriality as they mature. The male is traditionally the more dominant of the two sexes, especially in the pack hierarchy. In the wild state, the most physically superior and aggressive male in the pack is considered to be the alpha male or pack leader. Domesticated dogs still have this tendency towards pack behaviours and the intact male dog want to be the dominant member of the household. Some breeds will even try to control the humans in the house, which can lead to training difficulties or other aggressive type behaviours. An intact male dog will attempt to dominate all other male dogs in the house, especially if the other dog is also an intact male. Obviously this can lead to problems with the two males, particularly if a female dog is present. It is important to remember that no matter how friendly an intact male dog is to other male dogs they will become very aggressive if a female in heat is in the area. They may turn on companion dogs and even be aggressive towards other pets in the house at this time. This can be very problematic for owners, as they will be forced to keep adult male dogs completely separated when females are in season.

Besides just the dominant behaviour a male dog is likely to engage in marking behaviour. Again, this is a trait that was developed in the wild to allow dogs, both male and female, to indicate their territory. It is also a way for dogs to find out about other dogs in the area. The urine of both males and female dogs contain pheromones that allow other dogs to determine their age, gender, and status within the pack. Males are more likely to engage in marking behaviour than females as they are attempting to outline their territory. Marking or urinating often occurs in the house, on furniture, or even on toys or bedding. Since this is a hormonally driven behaviour it is very difficult to curb unless the male is neutered or can be supervised continuously in the house to prevent the behaviour before it becomes a pattern. Dogs will also mark to let females know that they are in the area, or to cover the smell of other dogs that may have marked the area before.

The last major behavioural issue with intact males is that they are more prone to roaming and running away. This is because they are interested in locating and running in packs, especially when female dogs are present. Running away, when driven by hormonal reasons, can be particularly problematic for owners as these males will attempt to get out of fenced gardens by any means possible which includes digging, chewing and jumping.

Female dogs have their own unique set of behaviours and traits as well. They are physically smaller than males with regards to both weight and height. This does not mean, however, that the females are any less athletic or active than their male counterparts. Generally most breeders indicate that females of the breed tend to be friendlier with other dogs as well as with children. Females of some breeds may tend to have more problems with submissive behaviours such as cowering, submissive urination, and rolling over on their backs when approached. This is more typical in dogs that have not been properly socialised or have been treated roughly or harshly disciplined when they were young.

Females can make excellent guard and watchdogs and are also used as police dogs, search and rescue animals as well as guide animals for those needing assistance. Bitches may be more likely to bond closely with one family member than males, especially in some of the smaller breeds. Females may also be prone to "mothering" type behaviour, even if they are spayed. This is usually displayed in the pastoral and working breeds where the females may lick, groom and play with other dogs much more readily than intact males or even neutered males. They may also become protective of children and other pets in the same manner.

Some breeds, especially those small or tiny breeds, may be very difficult to housetrain. This may be partly because they are simply so small it is hard to monitor them if they can easily duck behind the chesterfield or under furniture to urinate or defecate. This can become particularly problematic if you have more than one bitch in the house and they are engaging in marking type behaviours. Intact bitches are often very aggressive towards other intact females but will get along very well with neutered males and spayed females. It is not uncommon for a bitch in heat to become highly aggressive towards companion dogs and will require isolation from other females and even neutered males during her oestrus cycle.

Female dogs come into "heat" or oestrus every six to nine months after about eight months of age. This is the time that females are receptive to males and can become pregnant. It is important to keep in mind that smaller breeds tend to come into their first heat cycle much earlier than the larger breeds with many of the large breeds not coming into heat until after 18 months of age. Bitches are able to become pregnant on their first heat cycle so it is very critical to keep females separate from intact males after about six months to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Females in their heat cycle will have several different stages, starting with a bloody discharge from their vaginal area. This will last approximately eight days, followed by a fourteen-day period where the discharge becomes less problematic but the female will stand or accept a male dog. During the initial stages of the heat cycle the bitch may be very aggressive, snappy and much more restless and uncooperative than usual. The discharge will vary between females and breeds but many have a very noticeable discharge that will require special pads or diapers to prevent staining of furniture and carpets. After the heat cycle is finished, in about twenty days, the female will return to her normal behaviour until the next cycle in about six months.

Female dogs that are not spayed will exhibit the same signs of dominance as intact males if there is more than one female in the house. Just like males, intact females are likely to be more aggressive towards other intact females than they are towards spayed females or neutered males. It is important to keep in mind that females may become very aggressive towards males in the pre-heat cycle and they should be kept apart from the males, even if you do intent to breed the pair later in the cycle.

Intact females, like males, can engage in marking behaviour for the same reasons that males do. In addition female dogs, both spayed and intact, are also more likely to have problems with submissive urination. This is different from marking behaviour in that the dog urinates in these conditions to show that they are not trying to take the place of the dominant dog. Often this is most exhibited in small dogs or very timid dogs. In addition puppies that are removed from their mother or littermates too soon may also be prone to urinating when they become excited, scared or placed in new settings or in new situations.

Thankfully virtually all of the hormonally driven negative behaviours dogs exhibit can be altered by spaying or neutering your puppy at about the age of six to eight months. Spaying is used with bitches, and includes a small incision in the belly to remove the ovaries. The female is under anaesthesia for the procedure, and usually will only be at the vets during the day of the procedure. She will need to be kept quiet for a day or two but will have little or no pain or discomfort from the procedure. As soon as a female is spayed she is incapable of reproducing, and will show no interest in mating immediately after the surgery.

Dogs are neutered by a simple operation that removes the testicles from the scrotum. In both surgeries the animals are given injectable pain killers before the surgery and oral pain killers afterwards. Most veterinarians use dissolving stitches and flexible tissue adhesives to keep the surgical incision closed. An Elizabethan collar, which looks like a very large plastic funnel, is kept around the animals neck for a couple of days to prevent licking at the stitches or incision and possibly irritating the wound. It is important to keep in mind that neutered males are still capable of reproducing after surgery as sperm may be located elsewhere in the reproductive tract. Most vets recommend keeping neutered males away from bitches in season for at least one month after the neutering.

Spaying and neutering does more than just prevent pregnancies and control hormonal behaviour in dogs. In addition it reduces the risk of ovarian, breast and prostate and testicular cancers, and usually results in an overall increase in the lifespan of the dog. Both males and females are calmer overall and less prone to aggression between dogs, especially during the heat cycle of the female. A spayed or neutered dog simply does not engage in any of the hormonally driven behaviours that are associated with mating.

Spayed and neutered dogs make great companion dogs for either gender. Two neutered males or two spayed females do very well together, although there will still be an initial adjustment period. A neutered male and an intact females often will get along very well, as will an intact male and a neutered male or a spayed female. More about this will be discussed in the article on socialising.

There are many myths about spaying and neutering that are simply not true. Many people believe that spaying and neutering results in an overweight and lazy dog. This is simply not true, as neutered and spayed animals are just as active and athletic as those that are left intact. What changes for these animals is that they tend to be less hormonally active and therefore burn fewer calories. By providing a regular exercise program as well as monitoring food and treats a spayed or neutered dog will have no significant changes in their weight.

Another myth that is very misleading is the myth that female dogs should always have one litter before being spayed. It is far less healthy for your female to allow her to have one litter, as there is the likelihood of whelping complications, pregnancy issues, as well as uterine and reproductive tract infections both with the pregnancy and afterwards. Sometimes owners want to let their children see the birth process, but it generally not a good reason to breed your dog. Not only will you have the additional expense of the pregnancy but you will also have to care and feed the puppies as well as find homes for them all.

Probably the poorest reason for not getting your dog or bitch spayed or neutered is because you are positive that you can keep them supervised and under control at all times. Intact bitches and dogs will make every effort they can to escape or run during the time that females are in heat, and even the best efforts of owners will sometimes not be enough. You may find that your normally content dog will suddenly dart out of the garden if the gate is left open for a second, or your bitch will run out the door when you open it to get the post. All it takes is a slight bit of inattention and you will have to deal with the expenses and difficulties of having an unplanned litter of puppies.

Unless you are planning on breeding your dog or bitch it is the responsible thing to have them neutered or spayed as soon as they are about six months of age. Generally only purebred, registered dogs should be bred and only by those that are prepared both financially and knowledge-wise to care for the bitch during her pregnancy and in finding appropriate, caring homes for the puppies.