MALE OR FEMALE Today we see the vast majority of law enforcement, K-9 security and military use the male dog over the female. Why? I believe it is because the male is bigger, is usually more imposing and presents a larger visual deterrent. Many people think that the male is responsible for producing good pups. It is for this reason, when I look in a magazine we see so many sporting titled males for sale and very seldom are any females being offered. If this was the truth, why are so many useless dogs being reproduced? In fact, if the truth be known if you want to reproduce a champion you must rebreed his parents. They are responsible for producing him. The chance of reproducing him bred to a different female is almost nil. The male is big, powerful and extremely good when bred right and trained properly. Yet the female is the better working dog. They are less likely to be distracted from work such as tracking. They are also bonded deeper to the family and are less independent. They bite in defense of their humans with much greater intensity and hey are far more watchful and easier to train and handle. They are quicker to learn and adapt much more quickly to new situations. Why then do so many people desire males? Marketing. The male has been marketed by a European market to an ever-hungry American clientele.

It is sad that people don't realize the importance of the female. It is her attitude towards life that the pups are led by and it is her attitude in the whelping box that first comes apparent to them. In fact the most elite K-9 units in Germany where exclusively comprised of the female German Shepherd's dogs. These dogs were not spayed. These dogs were so elite in training and breeding that the records where considered of such importance they were kept to a select few. Some will say if I neuter a male, I will have the best of both worlds. This is crazy. You will have a surgically altered dog, which will never be able to achieve what an intact male or female can. The tree huggers and veterinarians want us to believe spaying and neutering should be an active part of owning a dog. Irresponsible people praise this irresponsible act because of its convenience but in the working world dogs should be intact. It is my firm belief that soon many people will incorporate the use of female dogs again and then they will then probably disregard the usefulness of the male. This too would be wrong. I would rather if the truth be known be in the field with one good female at my side, than two males. I hope that in writing this it will bring about discussion and foresight before breeding. My comments and writings have had a great effect on the dog world up to date. I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. I am convinced there are people who should never be permitted to own a dog. I see my sayings and terminology being copied in magazine advertisements and other web sites. I am at times flattered because being copied is the greatest form of flattery. Yet, this work which I love so well has a philosophy that goes with it. Without it, it is dangerous and deceiving. I have dealt with many dogs and to date have never met one I did not like. I cannot say this about my fellow man. To produce strong dogs, the female must be the most important factor in the program. To work hard and fast with a clear head, the female is much more capable. Look honestly and openly at what is happening on the street with the dogs that are being worked now. Are they male? The answer will mostly be yes. Much the result of poor training, poor handling, poor communication and poor choice of dog. We need to improve that which we are given. To do this is to have purpose. © Mike McConnery

E-mail Mike with questions or comments.