We are hoping to add a Golden to our family soon and are having a hard time deciding on male or female. I would love to hear what sex you prefer and why. Thank you all!
Over the years, we have had several females and several males - all Goldens. We seem to always have one of each at a time. Right now, we have two females and 1 male.
To be honest, neither myself or my wife seem to have a preference. Whether they are male or female, doesn't seem to matter too much since as they age and mature, you never seem to know what their personalities are going to be like.
I've always had female dogs in the past, but this time I chose a male. There were a few reasons for doing this. Primarily, my last dog was very definitely my "dog of a lifetime" and she was a female. She died suddenly (cancer) at a young age, and I felt it would be easier to move forward with a male. In addition, I do agility and don't spay or neuter my dogs. Males are definitely easier to manage in this situation. My daughter's dog (a toy poodle) is also a male.
With goldens, I don't think there's much difference in terms of livability. The general consensus is that males are more affectionate than females, but this hasn't been my experience: my female was very affectionate, our male much less so. I think it depends on the dog's individual personality more than gender.
Having had both, I'd say (IMHO) that it's more important to choose a pup with a personality suited to your situation, rather than focusing on gender.
Best of luck! Don't forget to post photos when you get him/her.
Thank you guys! We are just trying to chose because we are hoping to get on a spring list soon. We have absolutely no preference and I don't think we can be put on a "no preference list". But maybe they do have those lists?? I'll have to ask because I just can't chose!!
I have girls, and probably always will. I think it's because my very first Golden was a little red girl, whom I loved and adored, when I was very young, so I think it was set in my brain. We then had a male, and he was not well trained, so it was not his fault, but he was difficult to live with. When I got my first Golden as an adult, I wanted to replicate my very first dog, so I got a girl. She was my heart and soul. When she died, I just wanted another just like her, so, another girl. It really is a personal preference. But I know many people who have no preference when they are looking for a breeder.
Thank you so much! I love hearing people's personal experiences. I grew up with a male and female yellow lab, and both were amazing. I've never had a Golden but I just think you can't go wrong with either sex.
My first dog was female. Ever since then I've had male dogs. It might sound goofy but as I am male myself, I feel like I can connect with and understand male dogs better than female ones.
Gods know, it's hard enough for me to figure out females of my own species, let alone female dogs!
That's really funny that you say that, because my husband is in a house with 4 females (we have 3 daughters). So he is kind of wanting to add a male to the household! Hahaha
I've never worried about if it was a male or a female, I just wanted the best personality that fit my family and lifestyle. I would talk to the breeder and tell him or her what your family life is like, what you want to do with your dog and let them choose two puppies they think would fit best for you to choose from. Then pick the one you fall in love with.
I chose a male mostly because of cosmetic reasons. I like how they mature to be more filled out with a larger head, whereas the females tend to be smaller and thinner. I also love the pretty mane/chest fur on males. I've never had a female dog so I'm not sure if their personalities are much different. I'm sure it varies, though I've heard boys are more affectionate and girls more independent.
My boyfriend and I just went through this choice and we decided on a female. We have never had a dog before and I was impartial but leaning towards a male dog because they are just BIG GOOFBALLS (!!) but my boyfriend's experiences with female vs. male dogs (the former being wonderful, calm, stable, and sweet and the latter being destructive and humping everything) led us to request a female puppy.
It might just be because she is a tiny puppy still, but I find her to be more independent, less affectionate, and more mature/eager to learn than male dogs I know. These are all relative, though, because compared to our neighbor's male puppy of another breed she is an overly-loving velco dog!!
I always thought I would have wanted boys...we only had Golden boys growing up. My first dog was a rescue, and he was a boy. After that, my second was also a rescue, but a puppy, and she was a girl. So they sort of just came to me. The boy was a goofy guy but a little skittish (his previous life was traumatic), and the girl was nuts but super affectionate. When it came time for a third, I initially wanted a boy just because I was worried about wanting a different sex than my last dog (was worried I wouldn't bond to a female as much since I had just lost a girl--she was my heart dog), but then thought maybe I did. I like that females are smaller and less boxy. I told my breeder my thoughts, and she ended up recommending one of the girls for me and thats how I ended up with Piper!
I think I'm more in the female camp...I think they are just as affectionate as boys, and both my girls were velcro dogs. I think I'm biased because I had horses growing up, and always ended up loving the mares more than geldings--sometimes temperamental but oh-so-loyal if you gain their respect, and they will work their heart out for you.
I do think boy Goldens tend to stay puppies a little longer than girls. They don't mature as fast...maybe thats why they get the "goofball" rap.
I pretty much always had male dogs (growing up it must have been my parents preference although we never talked about why always boys...now I'm gonna ask her) and am looking forward to a male golden pup. We do have a boy and girl rescue (non golden) now and having a girls doesn't seem terribly different, although she was harder to potty train...not sure if that's true if all girls or just this one.
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