skwishieswurl

As my husband and I continue to count down the days until our new puppy is born (Oct. 9thish) we have had to take part in the age old debate. Male dog over female dog. We have no intention of breeding, this is just going to be a companion dog. I have two males cats and I prefer them over any female cat my family has ever owned. Any suggestions or obvious differences between the two genders when it comes to a basset?

Ben and Lucy

Hi and welcome to the board. I have two bassets, one of each, Ben and Lucy. I have to say that in my experience they are two totally different personalities. I don't know if my experiece is typical of all Bassets or not, but Ben is happy go lucky, always happy, tail always wagging, just a really happy guy. Lucy is happy, but very fickle. Her tail is only up and wagging when she has something that she shouldn't or something that Ben wants. Then she marches around the house as if to say Nah, Nah, Nah, I've got something that you don't. :P Ben was definately easier to house train, and you should take that into consideration. I don't know where you are located, but it isn't easy to train a basset in inclement weather. They like to think that they will melt in the rain and snow! The boys will usually be a little bigger than the girls if that is something that you are concerned about. When we went to look at the litters after they were born, I tried to go in with the mindset of finding the right puppy for our family, not too concerned with whether it was a boy or a girl. Good luck in your decision. We look forward to seeing those sweet baby pictures! Martha

mgbrown66

Generally I think you will find the females much smarter than their male counterparts, and quite a bit more independent. The males seem to need more attention.

They are both bassets though. Can't go wrong with either of them.

AmyB

I have to agree with what has been said so far. I am Mom to Sadie (AT & Spencer. Sadie was way smarter than Spencer. He is just a big ol silly guy. He has always been more playful than Sadie. She was serious and calm, even as a young dog. She did have her playful, silly moments, but they were on her terms! She was much more stubborn than Spencer ever was, but Spencer was much easier to housetrain. He was reliable at 6 mos, while Sadie was 9 mos before I could trust her not to potty in the house. I agree with mg - can't go wrong with either. Sadie & Spencer were like night & day, but I love them both!

__________________
Amy, mom to
Sadie (ATB, 6/9/06) & Spencer (ATB, 8/19/10) - always in my heart
and Clifford (gotcha date 7/2/11).

Menzie

As a rule, with the bassets I've had through my house, the girls tend to be a bit more "Just so" dogs. They have rules, and firm opinions on how life should go. They are Princesses. The boys are as said above a bit more goofy and happy-go-lucky. I always joke that the only words my boyz actually say are "huh?" and "What?" and "Sure! Let's do it!"

__________________
Menzie and Noel
Pw. Annabelle (born 5/9/99, blind from glaucoma), Hector the Very Loud (rescue hound, gotcha day 11/03/2002), and Barney, a Soundtrack basset, born 7/8/03
Save a LIfe- Rescue and Adopt! www.ombr.org

Maggie's Mommy

I too agree with what the previous posters have said. Stickers my female is definitely smarter than her littermate, brother, Rusty. She is also more independent and sometimes aloof. He is a happy guy always, tail wagging, loves the world and everyone in it. She is a little more discreet and selective. But to me it wouldn't matter whether I had a male or female. ALL Bassets should be appreciated for who they are. WONDERFUL companions!!!

BubbaLeroy

We have had only neutered males. Both have been wonderful, loving, great companions, happy-go-lucky dispositions, goofy clowns that have us laughing, and both were very smart. Males are usually larger and weigh more than the females. Bubba was very large boned and weighed 65 pounds and was not overweight. Bogie is leaner, smaller boned, and weighs 45 pounds. Good luck in your pick of the litter, and I'm sure you will fall in love with either a male or female.

__________________
You don't own a Basset, a Basset owns you!!
Aroooooos from Bogie !! - Trumbull's Who's Teasin Bogart CGC- Born April 21, 2005
ATB: Bubba - (Trumbull's Surley It's Stormin Norman) Sept. 8, 1998 - Dec. 20, 2005

Beverly Anne

I have a 7 year old neutered male named Francis and he is really a very, very smart dog. He was a pain in the neck to housebreak, though. He was into marking his territory BIG TIME and he humped anything that didn't get away fast enough but both problems were solved once he was neutered. He really figures things out remarkably well, though. Whatever gender you get, it will be a basset and they're all great!

__________________
Francis's Bevy

Emma and Doris

I've had just females - but it's been a big difference between them.
I think it's more individual - it's hard to imaging that all males are
dumber than all females.

Since I'm male.... :P

--------------------
<span style="color:#009900">The one that drools rules, :P
Steinar - daddy and foodslave to Emma and Doris!

http://www.basset-hound.net.tf</span>

Ruthless

I've had quite a lot of bassets through my house, too. If there's trouble, it's usually started by a female. They seem to be more territorial. Not that I don't love them as much as the males, they just seem to have more issues.