Boys for us also. I don't want to deal with them going in heat and when it comes time for surgery, neutering is cheaper and easier than spaying.

I'm neutral on this. I have to admit that I'm curious how Butter's behavior would be if he were a she. I've heard that female dogs listen better than male dogs (on average). That's of course just a "I heard"... My Butter is a complete goof ball and is how I pictured a big dog to be though.

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That's funny that you have heard females listen better....because in my whole experience it has always been the males that listen better. They tend to be more people dogs, and less independent, and thus they care about your opinion of them more (eager to please if you will).

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My first golden was a female, FeatherRiverSam, and after losing her to the bridge I was set on getting another female - no if and buts about it!

My applications to various breeders in my area specifically stated female only. And then along came Woody, my current rescue, out of the clear blue. We were just met to be.

Comparing the two, Sammie seemed to pick things up more quickly and was a bit more sedate. Woody on the other hand was and is a higher energy dog. He's also what has been accurately described as a Velcro dog. He's always by my side no matter where I go...and I'd have to say, and I didn't think it'd be possible after having Sammie, he's more affectionate. And finally he's a total goofball...he's definitely got some clown in his genes somewhere along the line.

So at this point I could go either way male or female but I'd definitely stay with a golden!

Pete

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Sonny, the black lab, ran ahead to make sure there were no gophers or jackrabbits in the way. If you don't give a dog a specific job, he'll improvise one for himself and it will invariably be fun. There's a lesson there.
John Gierach

That's true. I didn't think of it like that, but that definitely applies to Butter. He can be a bit of a butt-head, but he is generally eager to please.

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All of ours (5) have been females. We have had them all spayed.
Don't have a reason why, haven't had or been around any male Goldens to be able to compare. It's just the way we go.

Mike

I have had 2 males......one was independent as all get out and the other is so velcro dog it's not funny......I think it comes down to the individual dog and not female vs male....

We always had boys before because someone had told me once that a male, neutered dog was the best bet with children and that stuck in my head I guess when we picked our other puppies out. Until now we have always had male collies and shelties. This is our first time with goldens and we ended up with 2 girls both loving, gentle, and sweet. Now I have no preference and would choose based on temperament of the dog.

I voted female. I've had 2 male dogs in my life and one had a mounting issue that bothered me and the other would get "excited" every time it was petted. It creeped me out.

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Allison

We started out years ago with a Male black Lab.......then had 2 sons, then had 3 nephews, then had a grandSON........I wanted to even it out.....

females for me....
GIRL POWER!


And it really doesn't matter, GR are all great!

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