Thursday, April 28, 2011

Choosing A Fox: Male or Female?

A very common question I get asked by prospective owners is whether it is better to buy a tod (male fox) or a vixen (female fox). Before I continue, I just want to make a note that this is all second-hand information. I have never owned a vixen, so I cannot speak from personal experience on the matter.

Here is the gender debate in a nutshell: It is commonly said of foxes (particularly the smaller species) that tods make better pets than vixens and are more sociable. Another reason cited is that tods are much easier to potty-train than vixens are. However, tods are more likely to turn aggressive as they mature, have a stronger smell to them, and are more likely to hump things than vixens are.

Another common theory is that it's best to get a fox that is the opposite gender from the owner, so a man should buy a vixen, and a woman should buy a tod. This theory is based on the social structure of foxes in the wild. Foxes most commonly live in pairs (one tod, one vixen), or skulks (one tod, several related vixens). When you bring a fox into your home, your family becomes it's surrogate skulk. So a tod will view a man as an intruding tod, and a vixen will view a woman as competition in the pecking order.

This concept may have some merit to it, as Gizmo tends to be much friendlier towards women than men, but that could also be explained by the fact that my mother and I spend much more time playing with him than anyone else, so he's more used to women.

While there are a lot of opinions on this matter, remember that gender only plays a small role in your fox's personality, and other factors (such as overall health) should be much more important in making your decision about which fox is best for you. Pick a healthy, social, friendly kit first, and check out it's plumbing later.

12 comments:

  1. Well put! This is someone I've pondered over for quite some time, and this is about what I've come up with through my own research. Though, I'm still set on getting a female fox. I've just always liked female animals better, cats, dogs, mice... lol.

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  2. As it clearly states in the "contact us" section, I do not give out names, phone numbers, or any information about fox breeders to anyone I do not know very well in real life, so please do not ask. I have no way of knowing if you're someone who is seriously interested, or an animal rights nut who wants to go set their house on fire.

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  3. I know that you do not give out specific breeders information, but could you tell me how to research for one myself? I have no idea how to start looking for a breeder. I allready have around 6 grand saved up for my soon to be pet, but i dont want to go down the wrong path and end up with a terrible breeder... please help!

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  4. Do you get them fixed like you do for cats and dogs? idk, that may be a stupid question

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  5. I would love to get a pet fox but I am also getting a dog. Can foxes live with dogs peacefully? I am going to get a male fox but I want a female dog, will that cause problems where the fox will want to mate with the dog? I will get the dog spayed but can I get the fox fixed too? Please answer if you are a professional in these topics, thank you.

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    1. A dog and a fox can live peacefully together, but it really depends on the temperament of each animal. Try to get them both young and introduce them both at a young age- or get the least powerful animal first, then the stronger animal will see the weaker animal with respect as they will acknowledge that they are older with more experience.

      Generally, opposite sex pairs get on much better due to the reasons stated in this article. If they are both the same sex, they will see each other as rivals.

      At some point animals will want to mate with anything. Just try to discharge the situation if anything does happen. The dog will probably not allow it, she will run away or tell the fox to go away by aggressive behaviour.

      If the fox is bought from The Siberian Project (An experiment where they have actually bred foxes to be domesticated over fifty or so years)then the fox will be fixed before it leaves Russia. If you have not purchased a fox from there, then you will probably be able to get your fox fixed at a vet, but it might depend on your country. Generally, a vet can sterilize any animal.

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  6. Hello, I'm Valerie and I just found out that a fox can be kept as a pet ... because I live in Italy and here you cannot keep in the house animals considered wild (except for special exceptions).
    Now I cannot take a fox because I still live with my parents and I do not have the necessary space, but when I'll go to live with my boyfriend and we'll have a house with a garden big enough it would be a dream to have a fox (hoping that those responsible will give his consent to the holding of an animal of this type).
    Since I also love cats and I couldn't live without, I wanted to know if a fox can live and get along with one or more cats if you take them when they are puppies and you make them grow together.
    Thanks for your attention, expect an answer! :)

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  7. Ah! I'm steel Valeria...I would also have some advice about where to catch a fox that has been raised in a respectful manner and to ensure healthy and sociable animals.
    Thanks again!

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  8. I've been considering a fox off and on for a while, and was thinking that for my particular situation, owning a pair of 30-35 pound dogs (one male, one female, both fixed) a male fox (who would get fixed as well) would be the better choice as he would be more likely to be closer in size to the dogs, and would be less likely to be intimidated by them. Both of them interact positively with smaller dogs, but I've noticed they tend to respect animals their size more.

    Or would you recommend a female fox for potentially better group dynamics?

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  9. Hi I live in Australia where red foxes are declared vermin and there is only one state that allowes you to keep foxes with a permit I don't live in that state I caught a young female fox out in one of my paddocks and its now part of the family her name is eve the only worry is if she ever gets sick I cant take her to a vet as they wouldn't treat her, all I can say to any one considering them as pets is be patient with them there not like a dog, if you don't want it chewed put it out of harms way, they love socks shoe laces pantyhose and leather shoes. Eve loves playing with our male dog spike they have a great time, they make me laugh all the time with there crazy play fights, I hope that she has a better life with us than in the wild, were all foxes are shot or baited. I feed eve chicken and veg puppy food she loves grapes and blue berries to, also puppy milk with wheatbix cereal an all natural rolled wheat breakfast cereal no sugar in it at all. I wish everybody out there much joy with there pets and look forward to any and all tips.

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    1. Hey Anonymous.........I am in urban Victoria and was surprised an aussie on the land would keep a fox as a pet. Good on you.
      I've been whistling or more correctly making kissing sounds and attracting foxes for years, all over Oz. Normally when drunk falling out of a cab in the early hours.
      But in the last two weeks, I have been feeding a fox sporadically that I "kissed up:. It's missing half a front leg, maybe trapped and chewed off or hit on the road. We live on one of the busiest inner city truck routes in Melbourne. Anyway, definitely not tame, but is more than happy to sit or lay a few feet from me, and just hang until I leave. Sometimes for an hour or two. There is truckloads of bunnies across the road in some old degraded urban sites. But I will continue to give it adhoc meals. Take care mate. Cheers

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  10. I've always wanted a Fennec. They're so cute and adorable.

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