Here's a question which intrigues me and i'd like some views on what people think?
Over the years my family has owned quiete a few male dogs pets of different breeds and i've noticed in my opinion that dogs seem more flashy than bitches, they seem to prance and know they look good.  So is it better to have a male for showing or a female?  Has anyone else noticed this or is it just me being sexiest.

Warm regards Susan

I do think it is a sex related thing to some degree as the males in nature(like peacocks for example)are flashier & display in order to attract a mate & why should dogs be any different. Males tend to be on their toes more in the ring with other males, but then do get distracted by the sight & scent of interesting females ;)

Having said that I did have a very flashy showing female Beardie but she was very much the exception being decribed by one behaviourist as an alpha++ female very very dominant(not a fighter thank goodness)she would often floor & pin down any dog that dared to come near her rear end in or out of season, she ruled our beardies with a simple look of don't even go there !

It can be a breed related thing as well as some breeds are more naturally outgoing than others

I personally prefer males to show & train

Yes, I think in many ways dogs stand out in the ring more than bitches but this is only going to attract the judges who don't understand the finer points of the breed and go for the ones that are showing the best.

It seems to be allrounders who are more likely to put up males for BOB whereas most breed judges will consider breed type more important than showiness especially in my breed where the showy attitude is not in line with correct breed temperament.  JMO :-)

Julie

Yes, I also prefer to show a male, it's that 'stallion' quality.

Dawn R.

From my experience in the ring i think it is harder to show bitchs than dogs.The entry for bitchs always seems higher than dogs

Thats what i thought males do seem to have what it takes, they're so proud of their selfs.

Warm regards Susan

Also dogs are less likely to have to be taken out of the ring than the girls, so get more chances to be shown.  When BOB is decided the chances are the bitch will ahve maybe just been in Open bitch, then had to go in the challenge, and then take on a fr4esh frisky male that has had a ahcnce of resting until the bitch classes have finished.

Interestingly even though more males seem to go BOB in our breed the the CC record holder is female, and there have been more group winning bitches in recent years than dogs.  I have a bitch that loves to show off, and there are a fair few rather too laid back males, so it often depends on theindividual animal.

"A good dog will normally beat a good bitch"

I personally prefer showing dogs.  I don't know why, but I work the dogs better then the bitches.  However I prefer living with and training bitches :D  Bitches IME are easier to train and are that bit more wanting cuddles.  The dogs are much more independent, and when it comes to training....Impossible! :D (OK they arn't that bad...but their still male! ;) )

My thoughts are it is how you train yr puppys, to many people put pressure on there puppy,s to want them to stand so still in the 1st 6 months of showing, these are babies who should be having fun without pressure, i,ve been showing my puppy since feb i teach her its all fun and play in the ring, she loves going to shows and when moving she holds her head up and is so proud of herself, cause i,ve trained her that there are no tellings off when getting it wrong, all high praise when its right. she is top winning puppy vizsla, and had her 1st cc at 10 mths old and went bob.SHOCKED yes but very pleased, so for me its not what sex its the handler who makes the dog/bitch fill they are the best what ever placing. I take the best bitch home, she leaves every show happy,And cant wait for the show bag to appear. IF we want these dogs to show for 7 years they need all good input in the early years in there own time.  

Tasha, I train all my dogs the same, I train my juniors to keep it fun for their dogs aswell. I just find I show dogs better but i prefer training bitches.  My Dad on the other hand does better with the bitches in the ring.  It does work out well for us I show His dog and he shows the girls.  All traininng for all my puppies is fun, yes training strats from the word go, but it's all play time. 

Their are very few people I know who want perfect puppies by 6 mths.  i don't have a perfect puppy by 10 years old when he decides to gallop round the ring and mess about!  (Think his gone senial!) ;)

Now don't get me wrong, I have had success with bitches aswell.  I have taken 3 different dogs to group 1's at open shows.  two males and a female (none mine!)

But the training has nothing to do with males being flashier then females (in a sterotyped statement!)

I think it depends on the dogs.  My Tigger is a natural shower.  She once got a CC when she was on at 12 again at 4 then went on to the challenge got run around the ring 5 times got stood for ages and won.  She then went into the ring again for a challenge for BIS and was still full of herself with her tail wagging.  He brother on the other gives up the will to live after a while.  A very short span of attention.

Tigger also shows best for Ian as she is totally devoted to him.

Karen