Why is it so hard to find a female puppy?

So many people looking for puppies think a girl will be easier than a boy. In fact 80% of the enquiries we get are for female puppies.

This is difficult for us, because the girls are our kennel. Without the girls, there are no Kitaco puppies, so we rarely let them go as puppies, although we do look for great pet homes for them, once they have had their two litters (we only do two litters per girl - if we don't have what we need genetically from her by then, that is our problem, not hers).

So unless someone pops out a litter of 5 girls, it's unlikely we will have any girl puppies available.

Sadly, the reason people are so keen on girl puppies is they believe she will be more cuddly, more affectionate and all around easier to deal with. She won't cock her leg on the furniture, or get into fights. And of course, girls are just naturally cleaner.

Oh, if only that were true...

Of all our dogs, sookiest and most affectionate of them all are the intact stud boys. Our main therapy dog is Mexico. Ben is so desperate to be cuddled by every person he meets, he once jumped off the judging table and into the judge's arms for a cuddle. Narci has a job with Tracey at work in Reception of her vet clinic because his mere presence calms people down. Our new boy, Vinnie, who has only been with us a month, has already been dubbed the "Cuddle Bug".

The girls, however, we often refer to as "The Heathers". "Don't Touch Me Tara's" nickname is not in the least bit ironic. Liliana sits on all the babies to make them behave. Sally will only let you touch her if you are in bed. Galinda and Elphaba have to be periodically separated for fightlng like teenage sisters. Shelby lives with her mum, Kyrie, who spends her days hiding around corners so she can ambush her. Seriously, we could go on endlessly about what little bitches our bitches are.

It's not to say they aren't cuddlesome and affectionate, but they are far more independent, self-reliant than the boys.​

Popular Belief - Girl dogs are less aggressive than males❌

According to Psychology Today, “Both male and female dogs are equally likely to threaten or bite if the issue is possession of a food or a cherished object...”

Popular Belief - It costs more to spay a female than neuter a dog✔️

Cost ranges for a bitch spay (which is essentially a full hysterectomy) can vary from $350 to $1000 while castration ranges from $200 to $400. Prices are dependent on the clinic, complications and the size of the dog.

Popular Belief - Girl dogs don’t cock their leg on the furniture and spray like the boys do❌

Oh yes...yes, they do.

A (albeit highly unscientific) poll we took among our pet owners once, received more than 20 comments from owners whose female dogs cock their legs like a boy. This is because marking territory is a dominance behaviour not a toilet training or a gender issue.

If a bitch feels the need to remind other dogs (and maybe her owners) who is in charge, she will.

Popular Belief -   Boy dogs are more likely to want to lay about the house looking for cuddles✔️

Basic mammalian behaviour, really. Who does all the hunting in a pride of lions, and who sits around looking majestic? Who sits on the couch at home hogging the remote and who is getting dinner ready, the kids in the bath and tomorrow's school lunches packed?

Not surprising at all, when you think about it

Popular Belief -  A girl will fit in more easily with our other dogs❌

According to Psychology Today, “female dogs threaten less frequently, but overall are more independent, stubborn, and territorial...

“Actual fights are more likely to break out between two females and... occur without much advance warning. Fights between females are more of a "no holds barred" affair rather than the male ritualistic fighting that includes snapping at the air in front of the opponent or using inhibited bites to threaten rather than to maim...

The moral of this story?

Don't make the mistake of believing female Chihuahuas are the "fairer" sex. Chihuahuas are little wolves, not Little Women.