male or female
DOLLY |
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| Yay! A new puppy! Where are you getting him/her from? I hope your new puppy is happy and healthy and helps you get past the grief of poor Abby's passing. . .
I think the personality can vary from dog to dog regardless of sex but my two females are complete love bugs!  I am reluctant to get a male dog for the same reasons you listed.
If you search around, this topic has come up from time to time before and so you will see people eagerly supporting the qualities of both boys and girls. |
| I don't think it matters much if the male is neutered. My parents always had male dogs and they never, ever lift their leg in the house, neutered or not.
I've had an easier time housetraining my male than any of my females, but I think every dog is different... |
| I like boys better in general-- not even just OES. My OES has never lifted his leg. In fact, as he's gotten older, he actually even squats less, too. He just stops and pees, keeping the same stance. My male Komondor lefts his leg to pee on a fence or tree but squats the rest of the time. Both my boys are neutered and have never marked anything in the house. |
| It is really a matter of personal preference. I favor male dogs over female dogs. My reasons are that the males are bigger and more "doggy" looking than their female counterparts. I also think that neutered males have sweet and loving personalities, but this also will depend on the individual dog and it's upbringing. I have four neutered male dogs now and have never had any problems with them lifting their leg in the house. My males also have a tendency to stand and pee when they are outside, only occasionally will they do the leg lift thing. Good luck with your new puppy. |
| I prefer Males.
I just adore my male OES. He is sweet as pie. He absolutely adores every animal he meets. He is just full of love! He is 3 yrs old now and has never lifted his leg. He's a squatter. lol He was neutered at 10 month old, when I rescued him. He is a complete velcro dog. He is usually never more than 15 feet away from me at all times My female is.. lets say, a bit on the bitchy side.... I'm sure she wouldn't be so obnoxious if she was an only dog. She feels the need to boss the other dogs around. She is very independant. But, she is also a wonderful dog. Very eager to please & very loving (when she is in the mood to be loved) When she wants attention she demands attention  , otherwise she just does her own thing. |
| Ive never had a male dog so Im going to be biased in my reply...female of course....what I DO know is that females tend to be less needy...not aloof but more independant.....
I really dont care which you get, just hurry up so we can add one more to our playdate groups! |
| From what I understand, and have experienced myself, neutered males tend to be more clingy and needy. More easy-going and steady temperment.
Females are more independant, curious, and confident....and can be bitches...  Very loving, also, but on thier terms.
I have one of each, now, and find Bosley is easier to "parent" but Dixie is more fun and outgoing. |
| I have 2 males and 1 female. My males tend to be more cuddly and sweet tempered and have nevered attempted to mark the house but they are both neutered. I adore my baby girl and she is spayed. I think it just depends on the individual dog's personality. I couldn't choose. |
| Hi Dolly
You are getting a new pup,COOL. can i ask where you are getting her/him. I have a male oes and i never had a female so i realy can't say what is best. Good luck and send us lost of pics wendy and gismo |
| I've had both, love both, but Sheepie Girls rule this house now.
Less plumbing underneath too when it comes to grooming  |
 I have a female OES as well as a female Aussie Shepherd (my cat is female also lol). When I was growing up we had many different breeds of dogs and they where always male and always fixed, and where leg lifters. That is the reason I decided on only females, no leg lifting. I hadn't thought about the grooming point that Lisa brought out.
Either way they are all adorable and you will be happy which ever way you go. Good luck and I am looking forward to hear about the antics of your new pup. |
| When we were trying to decide on a boy or girl we had several people tell us that OES boys were truly 'velcro' and the girls tended to be more independent. We've also fostered a couple OES and I think it truly depends on the individual dog. So far our Bingley is completely affectionate, fun-loving, never-want-to-be-away-from-you type of guy. He's 8 months old. He alternatively lifts, squats, and stands to pee. He hasn't begun to mark yet . . .
When we got Bingley we were able to choose our top three picks but the breeder had the ultimate decision on how she viewed each puppy would fit with the families waiting. Lucky for us Bing was our first pick, but I also know that our breeder knew what she was doing. Our breeder knew the families and personalities, knew the dogs and their personalities, and had experience judging how puppies would grow up. Soo - ask your breeder! |
| Growing up we had male and female dogs and most were outside as we had a huge fenced yard in Florida. I really dont remember them being inside to much. My oes is a male and has never lifted a leg in the house or yard for that matter, he squats. But still does not go in the house, lets me know he wants out. I can say he is very sweet and demanding likes lots of attention. Hope this helps some. Congrats on getting a new puppy please keep us informed and send some pics. |
| I have both. If it were up to me I would never get a male again. Hubby only wants a male.(because males are larger dogs) My male started marking the house at 7 months old. We were keeping him intact for the breeder. At a year, I could stand the marking no more and he was neutered. Occasionally he will STILL mark in the house. He is almost 4 years old. My female has NEVER peed in the house. And she was much easier to house train as well (but we got her when she was a bit older) but with other breeds, the females were always easier to house train than the males. |
| I currently have my very first female 11 month old Sophie. I also have her litter mate, Sherman and a 7 year old male, Archie. Earlier, our first OES was a male named Merlin.
I've never, ever had my males lift a leg inside. All were neutered at 6-9 months of age (depending on individual dog). Sophie was spayed and we have her on medication for urinary incontinence. If I were to choose gender based upon the 4 OES that I have owned, I'd never chose another female. Sophie is very smart, possibly the smartest of any of my dogs (and I think they're all geniuses), and very energetic and very playful. She also puts the "B" in the term commonly used for female dog. In capital letters. Bolded. She wants to be the center of attention and has dominance issues. If given her way, she would rule the universe. She accepts my position of authority over her, and she accepts ARchie as being her superior, as well, but she'd have no problem if either of us decided to let her be top dog. Now, all of my dogs, including Sophie, have been sweet, affectionate, intelligent, good with people and children and other dogs. The boys have been, as a rule, more mellow, although Merlin was also very regal and felt himself to be in charge of keeping the children safe. But the boys have been easier than Sophie. |
| We like the big boys! Two male sheepies and neither has EVER marked in the house. Also, both were neutered at 5 months of age.
Best of luck. Laurie |
| Thanks for all the wonderful tidbits on info. I am really leaning towards getting a male for the first time ever. I have had 5 wonderful girls and perhaps it is time to break out........ Our last female, Dolly, was truly a hard-headed alpha female and tried to be the big boss every chance she could. It sounds like neutered males are big cuddly bears. Hope to let you all know soon about the new arrival. And Darcy, we will have a playday. |
| OK here we go, any opinions on two puppies at the same time, one male and one female. They are one week apart and we are ready.
dolly |
| Who markings are better? All white head? Eye color? Put a picture of both for us to look at if posible. I personally like male dogs at least my OES. |
| The little girl has one dark eye, the male is all white head. Both have two blue eyes. |
| We do not have plans to breed them. Just want loveable pets. |
| Hard decision as I like males but also like black and white heads compared to all white. Just my preference. |
| I am assuming that both puppies are available from the same breeder or breeders of equal care and quality. Bottom line is to choose by personality of the pup as well as the parents. Some people like quieter, more laid back dogs, some prefer more outgoing. Think about which you like and also about the level of dominance you are comfortable with.
Markings are nice, sure, but health and personality and temperment are much, much, much more important. I'm raising littermates, male and female. They are 11 months old--Sophie and Sherman as mentioned in an earlier post and elsewhere on the forum. When we got Sophie and Sherman, we already had a 7 year old OES named Archie and had lost our almost 14 year old OES, Merlin 6 months earlier. We had talked about getting a puppy, both because we love puppies and also because we really worried about ARchie being lonely without Merlin. We felt we were experienced with raising OES and had had very successful experiences with our other dogs. My thinking about getting two was this: Two puppies would take some of the puppy pressure off of Archie: they'd have each other to turn to when Archie needed a break from puppy nonsense. Also, they'd grow up together and would always be companions for one another. And of course if one puppy is great, two would be even better. This has worked out but there are factors I hadn't considered. Two puppies are twice as much fun but about 50 times as much work. They are terrific companions for one another (and ARchie and us) but they also can be very focussed on each other. You have to make a very strong effort to have them spend time with you and without the other puppy so that their main attachement is to you and not to each other. All training issues were more complicated because the other puppy served as a major distraction. It was more difficult to tell which puppy had an accident during house training. It was (and still is) a lot more work, although it is much easier now. There is also sibling rivalry going on here, just like with kids. The pups you are talking about are not littermates, so this would be a little less intense, but it would still be a LOT of extra work, much more than I realized, and like I said, we'd raised OES before. Would I do it again? No. I don't think so. Is it easier now? Yes, much, much easier. But I still wouldn't do it again. |
| I've had males and females. I like both. If you don't have a preference, I think you should be open to either and make the decision based on the individual dog. |
Las Vegas Sheepie Lover wrote: I've had males and females. I like both. If you don't have a preference, I think you should be open to either and make the decision based on the individual dog.
Totally agree. Personality of the pup is #1. Markings - who cares?!?!? We thought we wanted a female, but ended up falling in love with a male puppy and his personality. The female of the litter was a little too.... mischievous for us. Barkley is now 9 months old, unneutered and has never once lifted his leg inside or outside. He's never showed any marking behaviours (he pees only once on a walk). He's never shown any signs of agression either. Personally, I think one puppy at a time is enough work. But, if you're prepared for it, then go right ahead! Keep in mind you would have 2 puppies changing coat at approximately the same time.....  |
| Just wanted to chime in to say that I have owned both male and female dogs, OES and other breeds. In my opinion male dogs tend to be more loving and affectionate than their female counterparts. Female dogs are much for independent and less clingy as many have noted. I think male dogs are people lovers. My Fred is addicted to people. He's more excited to see the people at the dog park than the other dogs.
The markings aren't a big deal; choose the dog you like better. Definetely put personality before appearance. |
| I love the idea of 2 dogs at the same time...If we had to do it again, we would have gotten 2....but it didnt occur to us ....besides it will make a more rambunctious playdate!! |
I wouldn't want 2 puppies at once. It's a cute idea but the reality of it...yikes! I couldn't imagine having two like the pee machine that Clyde was. I would've lost my mind! I like my boys the year apart that they are.  |
| Just wanted to say that when I mentioned appearance I did with the intent of meaning she likes the personality of both the male and female and can not chose between the two. So I should have been more specific, because yes personality over appearance. But when you have two puppies and you like both of their personalities, which I assumed she did then the next deciding factor would be appearance. |
| I considered two puppies at once and was advised by all of the breeders from the OESCA referral list that I spoke with AND my vet NOT to get two puppies at the same time, especially from the same litter.
Mostly for the reasons Tgir listed above. The vet suggested I wait between six months and a year to get the second puppy so that they were about a year apart. We have since changed our mind mainly because I work full time and I am still working hard on obedience with Harry to make him a therapy dog and he also goes to agility classes. Right now I have neither the financial resources or the time to give two dogs these opportunities. Harry is my first boy after having had two females. He is SO SWEET and the whole family (grandparents and aunts and uncles) remark on it constantly. He is also a squatter - he was fixed at 8 months. |
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