I have always owned female dogs, first labs, now pointing dogs (brittanys).
The biggest problem if they stay in the house is when they come in heat, I have mine spayed, but they need to come in heat once before getting spayed, it gets really messy.
I seem to think females are a little less hard headed and easier to train, but thats just my opinion. YMMV

 

I've owned both (all black labs--3 males and 1 female) and I now only get males while my friends (including a couple vets) hunt with females. My female, Brandy, was great duck dog but she just didn't have quite the drive that my males have had. I always keep my males intact. I kept her intact as long as I could stand, but going into heat was a pain if she's an inside dog (drips blood everywhere--we had to put a doggy diaper on her) and there's the worry of an unwanted pregnancy.

I have hunted behind some good females, but none have had the drive of my males. That said I typically like to pick super high energy dogs while the others may be choosing for other qualities. Another personal preference is that I feel male labs are more what I think of when I think of a lab--blocky head and more muscular.

Weirdly, my spayed female would actually fight with other dogs (male and female) while all of my unneutered males were non-aggressive. Go figure.

I do think she was a little less hard-headed as stated above

I am actually picking up a new black male pup in five weeks!!!

 

Any other considerations that come to mind from you guys that have ACTUALLY owned and hunted behind female bird dogs are appreciated!
OklaMike

They can have puppies!

I've hunted over a female Brittany and she is a good hunting dog. Very motivated. I've also hunted with a female Lab and she was a good dog with lots of drive.

 

I have a female Golden Retriever and she needed to be spayed to comply with the breeders demand. The recommendation was to do it before her first heat.
She has exactly the same drive and instinct as the male Golden that I had before. Only difference is she’s huge compared to her predecessor (100lbs vs 75lbs).
And just to show that it’s the individual more than anything else, she loves water work. The male hated it.

 

I have a female Golden Retriever and she needed to be spayed to comply with the breeders demand. The recommendation was to do it before her first heat.
She has exactly the same drive and instinct as the male Golden that I had before. Only difference is she’s huge compared to her predecessor (100lbs vs 75lbs).
And just to show that it’s the individual more than anything else, she loves water work. The male hated it.

That’s funny, my female golden is going on a year and is roughly 50 pounds.

 

One female shorthair....rest have been english or gordon setter males....some house dogs, some kenneled dogs. Guess I did have a female beagle some 60+ years ago tho.
My hunting buddy either has/had mostly english setter females...with one female pointer thrown in...all were house dogs.

To my eye, females finish quicker which can play a bit into hunting performance timing but, ymmv.

Never had an issue with pregnancies, etc......in season?, never heard raised many complaints, play it by ear....dogs are individuals.
I have seen one of his setter females who completely and physically rules the house roost.....over other setters, a beagle and a german shepherd.
Dogs are individuals X2.

Never had an issue on the very rare occasion of running or around my males with one of his females....I reckon the females squashed any foolishness...and work was to be done.
I would also be mindful of you squashing any behavior which you find objectionable.
Dogs tho are individuals, X3.

I would never rush into spaying, or neutering, on old wives tales, etc.....I would look at the experience with the breed and line and experienced vet advice should the pros and cons of spaying become a consideration.

Have fun.

 

I've had two male hunting dogs, a neutered chocolate lab and currently, an intact German Wirehaired Pointer. My lab was a fairly dominant dog and tended towards some aggression with other dogs. My GWP is pretty easy going with other dogs. I also have a female GWP pup that's 6 months old. I think she's got a bit more of a dominant personality although she's not aggressive but we will see. I don't believe there is a difference in drive or ability. However, not dealing with heat cycles and the possibility of unwanted pregnancies makes traveling with male dogs a little easier in my opinion. Both of my GWPs are "hard headed" and pretty independent and rugged dogs but also sweet and lovey...its why I love them. I personally prefer male dogs but my wife and daughter like the female dogs...we also have a couple little poodles and they're both female. Short of the reproductive consequences, I think socialization and training are more important than the sex of the dog. I'm not really for unnecessarily spaying or neutering early.

 

I have 2 female pointing labs. Both are great. I think they retain training better but personalities vary.

one of my dogs is very cerebral and will hunt till she drops. The other one has a better nose and is more instinctive but not as driven. She’ll hunt very well but if she decides she’s done she’ll start getting distracted by anything and everything.

I think it just comes down to personality. I think they retain their training better than male dogs…but maybe it’s just me. I had both of mine spayed.

 

For hunting dogs, I have owned 2 males (1 neutered) and 3 females (2 spayed), 4 labs and 1 labxspringer cross. I feel the females want to please more than the males. Maybe a little softer natured as house pets. As far as hunting drive, 2 of my females have had every bit as much drive as the 2 males. One female had the best nose of all of them, great upland dog but she was never a good swimmer. I do appreciate the females not peeing on everything.

 

A good hunting dog is a good hunting dog. Male, female, it doesn’t matter.
The only real difference is that males tend to be slightly larger.

I build my opinion off the fact that my father had never owned anything but female hunting dogs his entire life. He was very off one of my first hunting dog was male. He quickly realized that the dogs had a good nose, had drive and we’re hunters, or they were not.
The sex of the animal means nothing in this regard.

 

Out of our four Vizslas over the past 36 years the two females have been far superior hunters to the two males (one was gun shy). Both females were spayed before their first heat.

 

Doesn't matter. Just get them nurtured as soon as a Vet will do it, the earlier the better, I have found. One of the best dogs I've ever owned, I now have. She is 2yr old half Mountain Cur, and half Mountain Fiest.

 

There's evidence that prematurely neutered and spayed pups are more likely to have athletic injuries. If you have an overweight couch potato dog it likely doesn't matter but may matter with a big running, hard hunting dog. Ask any vet that specializes in working dogs. Dogs need hormones for physical development in exactly the same way people do.

 

Always a female for me. Spayed of course. Last was a Wiredhaired Griffon. I think female dogs are smarter right out of the box. Never proved me wrong.

 

Great reminder info, guys. Thanks.

 

I have had three labs--two males and a female. The Female was easily the smartest and easiest to train (and would jump the moon if I asked her to). I had her spayed early. My males were both very good dogs but one was a little too much energy (loved to retrieve birds but had trouble sitting still on slow days in the blind) and both were neutered the minute I talked with my trainer and asked if he thought I should pass those genes on or not. They were both good solid field dogs but not breeding material. This is sometimes hard for owners to accept as they often have a lot of ego in the game.

Also had a Male German Shorthair Pointer who was a troublemaker until he got fixed. He was a great dog after being neutered--made him a better citizen as my ex used to say. He was cuckoo for koko puffs for hunting and one of the easiest bird dogs I've ever trained. Also a good family dog--very gentle with my infant daughter. Best day of his life was when Gracie got her highchair and began to eat Cheerios! But as a youngster his sex drive got him into trouble.

FWIW, the best dog Ive ever hunted over (that's easily over a hundred dogs BTW) was a superbly trained female Golden Retriever who was perfection in every respect.

"The price of a good hunting dog is a broken heart at the end". Rudyard Kipling....

 

have Braque français. hunted over 4 of the breeders dogs at his hunt club, 3 girls and one male. the male was a bit wild and rangy. two of the girls, sisters, were absolutely unreal. closer range, checked in a lot (we hunted them as a pair) and held points really well. retrieving was average I'd say. the other girl was a total machine. touch wilder (not nearly so much as the male) and retrieved like her life depended on it.

ended up with boys as I didn't want to worry about heat cycles, diapers and such. the oldest is the real hunter and he can indeed be rangy. funny he's clingy in the house but get him in the field and it's a different story.

So in my very limited experience with one breed I'd tend to expect females to be closer working and possibly less likely to forget who the boss is in the field. Some of that can surely be attributed to my poor training skills though.

 

Females only, males are just too frustrating. Best dog I have ever hunted with or owned was a chocolate lab named Dixie. I miss her very much.

 

Hunting dogs are very much like people. Some just "click", some just a little bit, while some never do.. I have trained and hunted both males and females of several breeds. All have their good points and short-comings. Only a few were just perfect, and I do miss those few. Get a female of your choice and give her a chance to be great.

 

My experience is really only with GSPs but have been fortunate to have hunted over many very good dogs Over the years. I find the females smarter much easier in general being smaller by 20-30 lbs and nowhere near the real buttheads the males can be and really love working in pairs and threes.

 

What breed?

 

I think the breed matters more than the sex.... I have a GSP girl and she is 60lbs and very smart. Our group has always had females and i find they do the job - training goes a long way.

 

I have had only Labs over the years, ranging from male to female, 120 lbs to 55 lbs.

Personality and drive are individual traits, not linked to the sex of a dog. 2 of my last 4 labs were females and could run with any male lab I have seen or owned, in the pheasant field or duck marsh. But, I do not spay my females. Just an opinion but the spayed females I have been around get fat quickly, so I just deal with it every 6 months for a few weeks.

Currently I have a 70 lb 4 year old black female, and her son (6 month old 80 lb yellow male). He will never match her in speed/agility but for water retrieves and strength she won’t match him. They both have the same great disposition and love to both hunt and please.

The most important thing I have always found is to spend time with them, daily, make them your friend and they will not let you down.

 

“She stands about 22.5” tall so she’s all leg.”

I like leggy dogs. They usually have great stamina and carrying extra weight can wear on the joints.

 

Yeah she sometimes surprises me how high she can jump, a couple weeks ago she jumped straight up onto a log that was easily 4ft+ off the ground. Here is a better pic of her, haven’t gotten a chance to run her on birds yet but she almost caught a fat dove in the back yard yesterday.

 

Here's the deal with birddogs, everyone thinks that what they have is the best be that male or female, breed, etc. The truth is that what makes a great dog is good breeding, good training, socialization, and experience. The rest is personal preference and thats up to you. I've been around great dogs of many breeds and of both sexes and some poor examples of many breeds and both sexes. That being said the versatiles are where its at, they do it all... just to stir the pot and because thats what I have.

 

But, I do not believe that was the OP's question.......and, that's all I got. 😇

 

But, I do not believe that was the OP's question.......and, that's all I got. 😇

All, I have always owned male hunting dogs (pointing breeds). I was raised with male hunting dogs as well.

I am, at this time, considering acquiring a female pointing dog and would like some input into the logistical differences and considerations necessary.

My position is that there are no real hunting performance differences between males and females.

Of primary concern is avoiding unwanted pregnancies and in field interactions with male dogs.

Any other considerations that come to mind from you guys that have ACTUALLY owned and hunted behind female bird dogs are appreciated!

Thanks for your input!

OklaMike

Which part? I'm pretty sure I answered the male vs. male question and I pointed out that I have hunted behind male and female dogs. Earlier in the conversation, I pointed out the logistical differences between males and females, I affirmed his position that there is no real hunting performance difference between males and females, affirmed his position that male dogs are easier in the sense of avoiding unwanted pregnancies. I'll agree that my input on the superiority of the versatile dogs wasn't asked for but I'm pretty sure that part was stated tongue in cheek, obviously not tongue in cheek enough. Anything else you'd like me to clarify?

 

..... I'll agree that my input on the superiority of the versatile dogs wasn't asked for but I'm pretty sure that part was stated tongue in cheek, obviously not tongue in cheek enough. Anything else you'd like me to clarify?

Kinda as was mine.😇

Nope

 

If your not going to breed then spaying females is worth the convenience to me. As far as field performance I don't believe reproductive organs matter nearly as much as what's between the ears. Both dog and owner

 

Don’t do it so soon, lots of science to show that its bad for joints and ligament if a dog isn’t fully mature.

 

Oh, and Birdchaser28 I have GWP and a GWP/ LAB cross that was a result of a clandestine meeting between my now deceased lab and the daughters GWP. I must admit The cross is the best dog I've ever been owned by. Both males.

 

Great looking dogs! I could see how a Lab / GWP mix could be a really nice combination. I'm not against spaying and neutering but I think it is often done far too early. I don't subscribe to the idea of it being the fix-all that its been marketed as. I completely understand not wanting puppies from a dog you don't intend to breed and we'll likely have our female spayed for that reason also.