by Jen
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:Are there any advantages to purchasing a male pup over a female pup? I've been told females are difficult during heat.
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Which gender to buy?
by Jen
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Are there any advantages to purchasing a male pup over a female pup? I've been told females are difficult during heat.
DISCUSSION:
Jen, there isn't a lot of difference in the personality between a male and a female maltese. The males tend to be a little less expensive usually because they have a bad rap about marking. That is not necessarily a problem if you get them neutered by 6 mos. (I have two and have had very little problem.) If you get a female and she is pet quality, why wouldn't you get her spayed? You eliminte the chance of cancer of the female organs and you don't have to put up with the "mess" twice a year. Not spaying can lead to false pregnancies, mastitis and a host of other horrible things that can be avoided.
Marie
Jen: I have two male Malts and would not take a million dollars for them (maybe 10 million -ha ha just kidding) but from everything I have read the females are usually a little easier to housebreak than males. I agree with Marie if it were me,I would spay a female and neuter a male therefore the heat problem would not be an issue.
belle
Hi Jen! I have three girls. My first one was a girl, so we just stuck with girls. It wasn't a personal preference or anything, it just happened that way. Whichever gender you decide on you will not go wrong. A maltese--either male or female--will capture your heart like no other:) Take care!
Angel
We couldn't decide about gender either, so we decided not to decide until we met the pups. I didn't look for the sex of the pup as much as for the personality. Well, we wound up falling in love with 2 of them, and we bought them both--a boy and a girl! They are 12 weeks old, and so far, we can't tell any differences that are gender related. Good luck--you can't go wrong if you're guided by your heart.
Judy S.
Jen--I wanted a girl more than a boy when I was looking for a Maltese. Seems like that all of my animals had been boys and I was thinking we could use more girls around here! Ha! I didn't miss a beat when Cubbie became available. Didn't matter when it counted!
Felicia & Cubbie
Either male or female make excellent companions if you are planning to have an altered pet.
April B
Jen, Ditto on all of the above. Although I have only had males I can say both my males have been very easy to house train. Whether you neuter a male or not they will mark. Neutering is a medical thing. Buster has been very easy to potty train and he is a very lovable little guy. He also learned how to sit and shake at 4 months old. I can't see that a femal would be any difference. Good luck on your decision.
Libby & Buster
I personally have a preference for females. ...spayed ones! ...but it really doesn't matter. It's a personal preference. I've never had anything other than females except for doberman males when I was growing up. Whatever you decide, you'll be in love!
anneh
I've had both sexes and honestly don't know if the differences were gender related or more of a genetic pre-disposure to certain personality traits. Phoebe is a girl - all girl, I had decided form the start that I wanted a female (though honestly don't know why!)however I would have taken a male if he had been "the one". my Yorkie was a male, my Shih-Tsu a female, German Shepherd a male & I loved them all! Males can mark, females can have problesm with heat - however either should be neutered or spayed if you do not plan to show or breed them. This is a definite health issue as well as a simplification of hormonal problems developing. Frankly if you are undecided about which sex you want why not let your heart guide you and see which particular pup you take a fancy to?
Leslie R
I agree with Leslie. If you are unsure, let your heart be your guide. Look at the pup fall in love and then take a look at the gender. My Maltese Bee Bee is a male approx 16 mths old. I wouldnt trade him for anything. He is a wonderful little guy who has given my husband & I so much happiness. I dont think his gender has anything to do with it, pesonality and temperment is so much more important. Good luck.
Bernadette & Bee Bee
Jen,Leslie and Bernadette are right. As one breeder told me, choose for personality / temperment and THEN turn the puppy over! She had seen healthy "better" pups overlooked for a sibling of the opposite sex.I had a wonderful spayed female and now have a 5 month old male who is also a real love. He will be neutered soon, and I hope marking is not a problem. He still squats when he uses the wee wee pad. Certainly, in terms of temperments, males are just as sweet if not sweeter than females. This is not true of many other breeds. So in terms of personality, males and females are equally sweet!
Linda R
Hi Jen! I think just a personal preference. I have two girls. I have been told that they make better pets. But I do not have any personal experience other than females. Good luck with your decision.
Zeyneb
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Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advise.