For some reason I've always prefered the boys. Even back when I had the 7 horses 4 were stallions.

I'll keep my gelding, thank you very much. You couldn't GIVE me a mare....WAAAAY too many hormones floating around for me.

I will also add....that I have NEVER seen ANY difference in my female when working while in heat or not. Alot of people shy away from females because they believe that there will be problems working an intact female. Maybe she is some kind of exception with regard to this, but I doubt it. I am sure that there are mamy other females out there that are just as 'driven' as she is when it comes to working, anywhere, anytime.

I agree there is a fundamental difference that goes beyond just testosterone or estrogen. I have met a lot of animals that have been spayed or neutered waaay before puberty (as young as 6 or 8 weeks old in a shelter environment), and there is still a marked difference.
I wonder why some of us, like myself, feel so strongly attracted to one, and can't imagine living with the other?
Theories???

It is interesting. I went up til getting Widget (brussels griffon) nearly 7 years ago TOTALLY preferring boys. The toy breed bitches are somehow different than bigger breeds...more lady like?. They are still conniving and manipulative, but they bat their big eyes and somehow it is less bitchy and more loving. Plus the little girls at our house are far more tolerant of other girls.
I used to say," you neuter a male dog and he is the perfect pet, spay a girl and she is still a bitch. "

Still prefer BOYS.

Horses...oh heck yes, a gelding over a mare any day. Been wiped on or dumped into too many walls, jumps and trees by mares.

 Quote:

Theories???

I can only speak for myself, but I feel like maybe I'm too 'marish' and/or 'bitchy' myself to be compatible with that kind of energy. I tend to get along better with male humans better than many female humans too.

My male animals, even the pushiest or most difficult, would always eventually come to a cooperative "yes ma'am" place and stay there. With the females, it would be peaceful for awhile, then war, then peaceful, etc.

I prefer stallions to mares, but gelding are my far-and-away preference overall.

I had a minature whole female poodle for almost 13years (8 weeks -until she died) that was a super girl. Wonderful obedience, temperment, smart as the girl that I have now. Just a great all around dog. No issuse in or out of heat.

I will say that I know that the female that I have now would not tolerate another female in the house & she won't back down in a fight. It would be open warfare. I have lived with keeping (2 & then 3) dogs seperated for 2 years, so I have done that & can. I just know that in this case...one error & there would be a seriously hurt dog. I don't want to live that way if I have a choice. I don't think that as much as I like females, that I would want more then 1 in the house. I have had 2 intact males in the house at one time & would do that again, for the right dog.

My neighbor has 3 female S/L labs in the house all living together. 2 whole. Had 4 up until a year ago. She has no issuses with them together. I think also depends on the individual dogs. I also want my dogs to live together in the house. I do have & use crates, but most of the time my dogs are loose in the house, with supervision, as my male will pick a fight on occasion & she won't submit to him.

I'm partial to females. My first dog was female and was just about everything I ever wanted in a dog - totally loyal, devoted, tons of try and can just about read my mind and respond accordingly. If I'd started out with a male instead and he had those qualities, I'd probably always be partial to males.

I've got a good bond with my male now too, but boy did it take some work - he was mr independent "did you say something" all the way for while.

I'm split- canine world, I've always preferred males, intact or not. I've had females, and we just don't seem to bond the same.
That said, I've been riding horses since age 3- I've owned several of both sexes, including stallions. I'll gladly take a strong willed, sassy mare home. The geldings are just 'ho-hum; sure if you'd like me to...' attitude. The studs can't seem to focus for more then .5 seconds, but those mares... man, they really make you work for it- yet after you get that bond, and ask JUST right, they'll give you all they've got, and add a little more, just because they love you! A mare tests, and argues, and you never get handed a movement for free. The boys, not so much work needs to go into it. They are happier to get out of trouble by complying, where a mare may need some convincing. I can't figure out female dogs as well though. Maybe I'm just more skilled training horses, and can't read the canine family as well.

All IMO, of course.

Is it the general consensus that this issue may be GENERALLY (with exceptions) split along the lines of the owner's gender? i.e., that the strongest bond is generally between a human of one gender, and a dog of the other?

I have always preferred female dogs and I doubt that will ever change. They are much more affectionate with me, calmer around me, and more insistent that I give them attention. I find males a little more standoffish, more aloof, less personable.

However, most women I know prefer male dogs, and my Mal is a male largely because my wife wanted no part of competing with "another bitch" for my attention. Whenever we encounter a group of dogs, the males generally view me with suspicion, yet they simply come alive with her. Conversely, females ignore her and flock to me like moths to a flame.

Am I just talking out of my ass and supporting it with anecdotal evidence, or do any of you think there is something to this?

In general I prefer males both with Cats and Dogs, but especially cats.

Nico is the best dog I have ever had and is a good solid dog by all standards she is not very tolerant of other bitches though, especially if they challenge her at all.

I also find females easier to house train (in general) But overall I prefer males, they seem to bond more deeply and be more willing to work for me.