MALE VS. FEMALE
As long as I can remember I have always been told that a female puppy or dog is the way to go. They said that females are a lot “sweeter” than males, they did not have any bad habits and they just make better family pets. While I was growing up my family always picked a female dog and paid more for it. While looking at the litter I was always told make sure you pick a girl. It was not until I purchased a male did I realize the myth was TOTALLY WRONG. My family was so surprised when they saw the wonderful personality of the male Miniature Schnauzer.
From personal experience and from speaking with families that have purchased male puppies from me I have found the following to be true. As far as physical differences go we all know the male/female anatomy is different. When you neuter your male puppy before he reaches maturity (around 5-6 months old) he will not develop those “bad” traits that give the male dog a bad rap. For instance, he will not feel the need to hike his leg, hump or mark his territory. In fact most all males when neutered as puppies will squat just like their opposites and never lift a leg. He also will not feel the need to chase females in heat while he is out for his daily walk. A female puppy when spayed will loose a lot of her “bad” traits too. You should have her spayed between 4-6 months old. You really should have her spayed before she reaches her 1st heat cycle (around 7 months old). Once you spay her she will not have a heat cycle every 6 months and bring the mess that comes along with it. A female in heat can be very moody & you will not have to deal with this once she is spayed.
Now as far as attitudes go both are very loving and always ready to please, just as a Miniature Schnauzer should be. :)
These were just a few thoughts on the subject and if you had your mind set on a female only, hopefully this has opened your eyes that a male puppy just might be what your looking for. Keep an open mind when selecting your puppy, don’t close the door on a puppy because of preconceived notions of its gender, because you may be missing out on the best companion that you could have ever had. Either way you go male or female, if it is a Miniature Schnauzer you can’t go wrong. Just keep in mind every dog, male or female has it’s own personality & is unique in every way. The differences that you see should not be based on the gender, male or female. The differences that you should be looking at should be based on the litter as a whole. When looking at the litter you may see one puppy in a litter that is more outgoing, the 1st one to check out a new situation & the 1st one to figure things out. Then in the same litter you may see one that may be a bit more reserved & tends to be more cautious when checking out a new situation. Sometimes this is very hard for a common person to look at the litter & be able to tell the personality developing, that is where the breeder comes in, it is very important to accept any advise that the breeder is giving you & weigh all aspects. Lets face it, who knows the puppies best besides their mother, yes the breeder. I spend every day with my dogs giving them all attention. I know what each one of my dogs like & what they do not like. Every one of my dogs has a different personality, some may be very similar but each one is unique. When we have a litter I spend many, many hours each day with the mother & her puppies. I at least spend 2 hours a day just sitting & watching the puppies, observing who is the 1st to nurse, who is the last, how they sleep & where they sleep. Of course as they get older I have other observations as well but this way I know my puppies (each & every one). We love every one of our Miniature Schnauzers and they are equally spoiled, although the males seem to enjoy the attention a little more in our Schnauzer home. :)
BOYS AND GIRLS
