What Makes a Better Pet - Male or Female??

 I get a lot of requests for Westie puppies and the majority of people wants a girl. I feel  bad because they are looking for the best puppy around and turn it down because of the gender. My opinion is that sex should be one of the last considerations in choosing a puppy, health and temperament are the most important. If you have your mind set on one sex, just remember if you heard bad things about one sex or the other probably most of what you have heard were isolated situations and either sex can be wonderful pets to have. Don’t shut out the opposite sex because of preconceived notions… you might be missing the most wonderful pet you would have ever had.  
  Many people believe that female dogs make better pets...female preference seems to be ingrained in these people. Most calls for pet dogs have people wanting a 'sweet girl'. They don't think females display alpha behaviors like 'marking' and/or 'humping'. They believe that they are more docile and attentive and do not participate in fighting over dominance. In the dog pack , females usually rule the roost, determine pecking order, and  competes to maintain and/or alter that order. In the wild the females are more independent, stubborn, and territorial than their male counterparts. Also in the wild the females are much more intent upon exercising their dominance by participating in alpha behaviors such as 'humping'. Spaying is the answer to this. Where as neutered males rarely exhibit secondary sexual behavior such as 'humping', or 'marking' and lifting of legs.  Boys who were neutered early (at 5-6 months of age) usually don't ever raise their leg to urinate.

SPAY AND NEUTER AT 5-6 MONTHS OF AGE. NO EARLIER, NO LATER!!!!  They will not mark their territory, no heats and no surprise puppies. Not to mention the health benefits of spaying and neutering.