Male vs. Female

Deciding between a male or female puppy can be quite the journey, and it's one I've traveled myself. Growing up, I was always told that female dogs were the way to go - sweeter, better behaved, and just all-around better family pets. That's why my family always opted for females, willing to pay a bit more for what we believed was the better choice. My family was so surprised when they saw the wonderful personality of the male Cocker Spaniel.

From personal experience and conversations with families who've adopted male pups from me, I've learned a few things. Physically, males might be a tad larger - an inch or two taller or five pounds heavier - but not always. And when neutered early, they steer clear of those "bad" behaviors like leg lifting and territory marking.

If you neuter your male puppy before he starts to develop those "bad" traits (around 9 months old, though it could start as early as 4 months) he will not develop those "bad" traits that give the male dog a bad rap. For instance, he will not feel the need to hike his leg, hump or mark his territory. In fact, almost all males when neutered as puppies will squat just like their opposites and never lift a leg. He also will not feel the need to chase females in heat while he is out for his daily walk. We recommend neutering your dog as early as 4 months - ask your veterinarian. Believe it or not a female puppy will actually hump more than a male puppy; this is actually a puppy thing early on, some puppies go through it and others do not. If your puppy does this they will stop either on their own or once they have been spayed or neutered. A female puppy when spayed will lose a lot of her “bad” traits too. You should have her spayed between 4-6 months old. You really should have her spayed before she reaches her 1st heat cycle (around 7 months old). Once you spay her she will not have a heat cycle every 6 months and bring the mess that comes along with it. A female in heat can be very moody and you will not have to deal with this once she is spayed.

Now, about attitudes - both genders are loving and eager to please, no doubt about it. But there's something special about the personality of a male Cocker Spaniel. They're affectionate, outgoing, and exude confidence. Plus, they seem to bond effortlessly with kids and other pets. I have found that the males are much more affectionate and loving. They are more outgoing and sure of themselves always show a sense of confidence. They show little moodiness and are less prone to emotional swings. You can rely on the male dog to be your best friend and loyal companion in any situation and they will always be young at heart

Female dogs can be emotional and sulk around if they don't get their way. The males just let it go and move on. The female will be playful as a puppy but as she gets older she will tend to sit back and see what is going on around her. The males on the other hand are more playful and tend to remain playful even in their elder years. he males love to be in the center of the action and become a huge part of the family. The female is also the “QUEEN” she is the “BOSS”, she can have mood swings where one minute she just as sweet as can be right in the middle of all of the action and the next minute a little grumpy and wanting to be alone. If you are wondering who is the boss around here, it is always one of our female parents. These are just a few reasons I tend to favor the male.

Cost-wise, neutering is often less expensive and involves a quicker recovery compared to spaying females. And interestingly, the price of a male pup is sometimes lower due to the misconception that females make better pets.

In my experience, males have been the perfect fit for my family. They're playful, loyal, and always ready to join in on the fun. And while every dog is unique, I've found males to be a bit more consistent in their temperament. Either way you go, if it is a Cocker Spaniel you can't go wrong.

The differences that you should really be looking at should be based on the litter as a whole. When looking at the litter you may see one puppy in a litter that is more outgoing, the 1st one to check out a new situation and the 1st one to figure things out. Then in the same litter you may see one that may be a bit more reserved and tends to be more cautious when checking out a new situation. Sometimes it is very hard for a common person to look at the litter and be able to tell the personality developing, that is where the breeder comes in; it is very important to accept any advice that the breeder is giving you and weigh all aspects. Let's face it, who knows the puppies best besides their mother: the breeder. I spend every day with my dogs giving them all attention. I know what each one of my dogs like and what they do not like. Every one of my dogs has a different personality, some may be very similar but each one is unique. When we have a litter I spend many, many hours each day with the mother and her puppies. I at least spend 2 hours a day just sitting and watching the puppies, observing who is the 1st to nurse, who is the last, how they sleep and where they sleep. Of course, as they get older I have other observations, but this way I know my puppies (each and every one). We love every one of our Cocker Spaniels and they are equally spoiled, although the males seem to enjoy the attention a little more in our Cocker home.

So, whether you're leaning towards a male or female pup, remember - it's all about finding the right match for your family. At CM Cocker Pups, we understand the importance of personality, and we're here to help you find your perfect furry companion.