From another thread:

Partial quote (from Jenni Williams):
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.....I am not a fan of females, (of any kind, really)-kidding, but I do have to say that I disagree with you on this. And I have to say it's not based on personal experience, rather, on studying the history of working GSDs, at least in wartime. None of us, of course, will ever REALLY know what went on, but it's interesting to study and speculate. I will agree that females aren't what they used to be, but then again, GSDs as a whole aren't, either. Uh-oh, I didn't mean to hijack a thread. .........
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My question:

"Working" is a huge term, though.

Male and female dogs (aside from individual differences, of course) have some different characteristics, in general, don't they? Wouldn't these characteristics mean that one sex or the other would be (generally) better-disposed toward certain kinds of work?

I'm asking, not declaring something with a question mark at the end.

Now that we're not hijacking a thread, I would love to read comments from the experienced trainers. I had always heard that males were *much* better suited (generally) for certain fields, such as PP.

Ok, I'll go on the record as a trainer that has titled a whole lot more females then males.
And I've titled a lot of dogs in different sporting venues.

I think that in the hands of a good trainer, a male and female dog can be brought to an even level of serious work. The main problem is that there are less good working females than males available to work, based on the many litters than I've seen develop over time first-hand.

That being said.....notice that for me, Fetz's eventual replacement is a female... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

 Quote:

Ok, I'll go on the record as a trainer that has titled a whole lot more females then males.
And I've titled a lot of dogs in different sporting venues.

I think that in the hands of a good trainer, a male and female dog can be brought to an even level of serious work. The main problem is that there are less good working females than males available to work, based on the many litters than I've seen develop over time first-hand.

That being said.....notice that for me, Fetz's eventual replacement is a female... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thank you; this is exactly what I was interested in hearing: the opinions of experienced trainers.

I had no idea whether the prevalent ideas were myths or not.

Will, it's nice to hear from someone "who knows" that has good things to say about females 'working'. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I have a female that is borderline (all drives) extreme. She is very smart, quick to learn, loves to work anytime, anyplace with an incredable no holes bared work ethic. I have been told by a couple of LEOs that have seen her in action that she should be on the 'street'. I'm not at all sure that is the case, but I will never know for sure because I wouldn't part with her. But she is surely tougher than many of the males that I have seen work. She is one of Ed's Otis line dogs. Most people in general think that a female can't work as well as the males. I don't think that is true. I think that there are many females that could do very well if taken the distance...but most of the really good ones end up being bred & that's the end of their career. Too bad. But they are the ones making the future in 'working dogs' possible. Just .02 from a female owner & proud of my girl. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I am thinking on the same lines as you. However Males seem to be more dominant in general. however i have seen and worked many of good females. they are just a little harder to find than the males. Alot have an will be put into breeding with a select few making it the distance. Which breeding is where alot of the high speed females belong to preserve the lines.

http://www.vonhunterkennels.com

Wasn't Lassie a boy? If females where just the cats pajamas, then they would be worked and showcased the most. Yes, there are nice ones out there, but for the most part, I don't think it matters that much. I have bred some really nice dogs out of OK (from a working standpoint) females. People have told me I was wrong, but never tried it any other way than their own, and their breedings didn't cut it in comparison.

Work what you got is what I say the most. Just don't think that there is some huge "NEED" for masculine type personality females in a breedig program.

Jeff, Lassie was a male, only because the male collie has a fuller coat/mane. It's more characteristic of the breed, and looks better on camera.

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Jeff, Lassie was a male, only because the male collie has a fuller coat/mane. It's more characteristic of the breed, and looks better on camera.

Yep! Lassie was *several* males, and yep, it was because of the coat. Some of the stunt doubles, though, in distance shots, were females!

So typical...men getting cheesy close-ups & women in the back doing all the real work <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> (just kidding guys)