There's is more likelihood of marking with males. And so far it's not been my experience that neutering before leg lifting stops it. All 3 of mine were neutered around 6 months old, before any marking behavior.

They all 3 mark now. Murph was by far the worst. Until old age, I didn't trust him 100% in the house. He could go 6 months and then out of nowhere decide to mark something inside. He's gone a couple of years now with no incidences. I guess it's too much work for his old bones now. Oz only marks outside and isn't quite obsessed about it as Murph. Gull only marks when he's alone somewhere with me. Guess he figures between Murph and Oz marking the backyard, they got it covered.

As to smartness, I don't see that. I have noticed with mine though that the males had a longer, more rambunctious puppyhood. But once mature and more focused, they catch up with the females.

I will say though, that my lil' female Cairn Terrier, Maddie, I viewed as exceptionally smart. Oh what an easy puppyhood. I use to say she came out of the box fully assembled. Oz though is neck and neck with her. I view their personality differences more due to breed differences then gender though.

Anywho, I think it's a matter of pack dynamic as to which is the better choice. I know with Maddie, as dominant as she was, it would have been a huge mistake to get another female dog. I've not had any real issues with having 3 males though.

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