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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 don't think so. In my general observations on dog forums and IRL, I think it's about evenly split. I know this thread is not really indicative of that, but I've seen plenty of guys that prefer males and plenty of gals that prefer females.

I love my boys but it just seems to work out that way. I’ve worked with a few females who also hold a very special place in my heart. No preference either way, love em all.

Now horses, I’ll take a mare over a gelding or stallion any day.

CJ- Those mares, all the hormones and sass aside, are FUN, huh??

I have always connected more with female dogs than males. Don't know why.... they just kind of pick me and I don't have much of a say about it.

For a dependable/ safe horse, I would go for a gelding. For a horse that will go to hell and back with you, I would go for a mare. My mare doesn't back down from any kind of challenge placed before her. There's a reason a mare runs the herd

For the OP, the largest single sex litter I have seen was 6 boys out of a GSD.

--Kelly

 Quote: Kelly

For a dependable/ safe horse, I would go for a gelding. For a horse that will go to hell and back with you, I would go for a mare. My mare doesn't back down from any kind of challenge placed before her. There's a reason a mare runs the herd

--Kelly

I guess that I have been lucky & have a mare in the guise of a gelding. LOL He would jump the moon & saved BOTH of our a$$ES more times than I can count X-country,when I made errors on course. He was never an easy horse, had a mind of his own & was one hell of a handful,but he never refused a fence no matter how big, solid & scarey it may have been or how questionable the footing. He was a late-gelded, herd leader, not a people horse but loves me & would do anything that I asked of him....even give pony rides to friends kids when I would put them on & lead them around. Believe me when I tell you he would tollerate only a couple of people on his back for the 25 years that I have had him. That chosen few was me, my son & one of my best friends. Anyone else would risk his rath & be tossed off but quick.

I know that mare people say that there is nothing better, but I just can't get past the hormones & attitude. There are a few non-mareish ones out there, but they are the exception not the norm. Just not my cup of tea.

I also have a female cat, but prefer males in the feline family. Less whinney.

I also far prefer male cats (neutered of course... who can tolerate that smell?!), for that species, there is definitely no contest in my mind!