I grew up with the notion that female dogs were better than males. I'm not sure what I thought of that knowledge, but my flimsy teachings were challenged when I got my first male dog. He was a surprise so he was picked out for me and was one of the best male dog relationships I had. Then Alex came along and he took that male dog-female relationship to a new height. Then we got Silver, who was my first female puppy where I learned a sisterly/motherly kind of love, giving me a greater appreciation of the female bond. And since then we have had a male and female pairing with each "set" of dogs.
I find myself more times than not creating a deeper bond with the male dogs. I find when I am in a funk of sorts, feeling less than myself, it is the self-confidence and pride of the males that I zero in on. Their strength and self-assurance seems to transform what I am lacking at the moment as I pull from their resonating force. They also seem to have more of a comical, teasing nature that can make me laugh even on the darkest days. They have a way of pushing and testing me beyond my own limits and bringing out the competitive side of me. For all their power and stealth, it is amazing to draw upon their softer sides for that strong male comfort that everything will be alright. There is something powerful and endearing in these strengths that I have come to love in my male dogs and feel so blessed to have them in my life.
Now the females have this same strength and confidence and are just as powerful as the male dogs, but they do not need to make their presence known, it is always there. When it comes down to it though, they are the ones in control. They have a quiet, yet strong grace about them that has shown me how to embrace female attributes. There is a sense of equality when the girls are I are together where I find more empathy and understanding when I am feeling low. They seem to "take on and absorb" my pain rather than try to revert it. They are all nurturers and our "girl time" together is a bonding of our unique female qualities. They are tender and sweet like girls should be, but they will not hesitate to exert their power when challenged. I think this is one of things I love about them, while they are loving and adorable there is a vibrant force within them they use to hold their place. They have no problem drawing that line and letting themselves be known.
Each gender brings their own to the table. This beautiful gift of having three of each that are all related, has been a fascinating journey, a study in the making. From the simple to the complex differences of male and female dogs and their relationship to us as humans, male and female. For example, while I tend to be drawn more to the males, my husband, surprise, surprise, is drawn towards the females. And while neither gender means more than the other, it is interesting how many qualities are similar in each. Experiencing the wide dynamics of both genders and their individual personalities has been a beautiful gift that has made helped me to appreciate both genders and the treasures they have to give.
So how about you? Do you have a preference when it comes to gender? Why or why not? Were you ever taught a preference about male/female and then discovered different? How does gender differ in the way you have bonded to your dog?
