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What is everyone's opinions on what gender produces dogs (on average or the majority of) with the most grit and heart? Is there a "rule" that says males on average will have more grit and heart then females?

Coonsbware wrote:What is everyone's opinions on what gender produces dogs (on average or the majority of) with the most grit and heart? Is there a "rule" that says males on average will have more grit and heart then females?

I have never Had a male hound but i would think they would have more heart just because of testosterone, That being said i have seen female dogs with more than enough heart and grit, Plus one of my freinds say their female dogs will be treed before there male is done pissing on everything.

I would have to say it depends totally on the dog had both female and male with tons of grit and heart. later, Andy

I agree with Andy it has nothing to do with gender.Testosorone was mentioned but that is not the ingredient that makes dogs stay on a trail or on a bad bayed up that is heart and desire. Too much T-Factor may be condusive to over dominance and possibly even a growly dog or a fighter but I have seen some bad assed growly dogs and tree fighters that were quail hearted bastards when it came to stopping a bad bear or staying in long bad old brutal lion trail.

what a great read and some damn good information,thx for taking the time to share this with everyone,very helpful to new guys to hounds like myself!!!!

So Andy, if you took all the dogs you considered to be great hounds you would say it is a 50-50 split of male vs. female?

I've seen good ones in both genders as bear dogs. But I would have to give the edge strongly to males, probably at 80% or better. The majority of the best dogs I've seen were males. Just what I've seen.

I've never seen that there is any difference. I've heard people say that a super gritty male is always grittier than a gritty female, that its just not the same. I have to say I've seen some hardcore nasty eat'em up females before.

That being said I have always prefered Males. I just like them better. But at the time I am slowly going over to all females. Not that it's better, or that I like them better, it just so happens that at the moment my two best dogs are female. It's easier to have all of one sex.

If I sit and think about it, I'd say that I probably have seen more "average" or "gritty enough" males than females overall (maybe because males tend to be more popular) But when I think of the TOP 5 Beardogs I've known, 3 were females and 2 were males.

I also have to agree testosterone has nothing to do with it. Seen plenty of cocky males that were chickensh!ts.

Redwood Coonhounds wrote: I also have to agree testosterone has nothing to do with it. Seen plenty of cocky males that were chickensh!ts.

Same goes for houndsmen!!!!!

Nolte,

Not questioning just curious, do you think that is because as a group you may have a tendency to run a higher percentage of males than females?

Nolte wrote:I've seen good ones in both genders as bear dogs. But I would have to give the edge strongly to males, probably at 80% or better. The majority of the best dogs I've seen were males. Just what I've seen.

Thanks for sharing your expertise nolte!

I would have to say 60-40 males, I've had females as good and gritty, one other thing to consider, if she is good and gritty, and doing it all, she ends up with pups hanging off her, for my future, which a few litters, rebounding back from, puts them at a disadvantage, in the overall picture. Are they ever brought up to their true potential like a male?

Gender has nothing to do with grit, desire, brains, stamina, ETC… The debate over Male VS. Female will go on forever as I believe it is all personal preference. I personally like all female packs over males, but that is me, now you can’t have your strain of dogs with out both so it places you in a dilemma as heat cycles come into play and I hate to leave any of them home, but that is what has to be done if you have a mix of males and females. To say males have more grit than females would be like saying there are no female prisons. You can look at nature and see that females do their job when it comes to killing in species that are pack orientated, Killer whales, African lions, wolves, wild dog the list goes on. The only difference I have ever seen in males VS females is volume of their voice. Great topic!

sourdough

I agree with Sourdough.

My pack has three males and three females. With a female having the most grit. Most interested in going to work if needed. Grittiest dog I ever had was a male. If it is a good dog, hunt it.

Coonsbware wrote:So Andy, if you took all the dogs you considered to be great hounds you would say it is a 50-50 split of male vs. female?

I would have to say thinking back it would be pretty close to a 50/50 split on male verses female. To me grit and heart are two totally different traits I have seen alot of hounds with a ton of heart and not alot of gritt and the same goes for the opposit. I personally would take a dozen hounds with heart over gritt but that is because I am a cat hunter and I dont need all that gritt. for the past 15 years I have been leaning toward hunting females they have sure been alot easier to handle and hunt and seem to have all the grit and heart I need. It is sorta hard for me to talk gritt as I only hunt cats but the ones I have spoke of sure werent or arent afraid to stick thier head in on a holed up cat and like I said I have sure owned both male and females with tons of HEART and what I call gritt. later, Andy