[emhacy]

I'd love some input on why one would be apt to prefer/choose one sex over the other.
In our case, this will be the first/only pet (though possibly a car may join our family at some point), and we have two teenage daughters and a 3 year old soon.

 

[TheZ's]

This question has been discussed here from time to time. If you use the white search box above you should be able to find prior discussions.

In general, male Goldens will be larger than females. Sometimes that makes a difference to people. These days many think that it's better for long term health of the dog not to be neutered early so you have to consider dealing with heat cycle(s) with a female. I think it's somewhat more expensive to have a female spayed than a male neutered. Lots of people will tell you that males' attitude is "I love you", while females' is "Love me", that males can be more clingy while females tend to be independent. That really depends on the temperament of the particular dog.

I'd also caution that if you haven't had a dog before you should think about waiting until your 3 year old is somewhat older.

 

[Cpc1972]

I agree with the previous post. We have a female that will be spayed at six months. If we had a male we would be waiting until 18 months.

Also agree with the child thing. If you get a puppy with a three yearold be prepared for lots of leashing inside and out. Your puppy and child will have to be supervised a lot. My niece is three and is over three days a week. It's a challenge and lots of baby gates to keep them separated. Her brother is six and does great. He is a great age to play with her with supervision. So if you get one with a three yearold just make sure your ready for the challenges. It can be done with a lot of work.

 

[nolefan]

I'd also caution that if you haven't had a dog before you should think about waiting until your 3 year old is somewhat older.

I will tell you that if I were you, I would take my sweet time, really get to know a breeder and her dogs, visit a couple times and get on the wait list for a breeding of a litter that is planned that the breeder thinks should be easy going, easy to train and biddable, not super high energy. There is no crystal ball, but a breeder who knows her dogs and how easy they are to live with will at least set you in the right direction. I would tell the breeder that you don't care which sex you end up with. She will know her puppies best, ask her to pick your puppy for you and give you the most easy going, not overly adventurous puppy, one that comes when called rather than running farther off to investigate etc. Temperament and energy level will be more important than sex.

I hope you will think a little about your preschooler and how well behaved, laid back he or she is. If you are very committed to puppy management and being religious about daily training and exercise for your dog for the first year or two, you should do fine with a Golden. If you aren't committed to obedience classes and daily training and exercise (not just a walk around the block, they need puppy playdates and lots of aerobic exercise) you may find that a Golden can be a handful in a busy household.
As suggested, use the search feature and do some research on this forum on the terms "land shark", "puppy biting", "puppy and kids" and "Puppy is driving me crazy". That way you will have full disclosure

 

[Flare's Sister :)]

The sex isn't important. We went without having any idea of which gender we'd take, we had just one thing in mind - "The calmest pup is going home with us". We took a female! As far as getting a pup with a really young child at home I personally feel you should wait a year or two. My younger sister was 4 when we got Flare and when Flare was teething our household wasn't a pretty site! I think an older pup will do just fine with you! Hope this helps

 

[Denlie]

Good luck with your search. I would let your breeder know about your preference and let him/her choose the best pup. They know their puppies temperaments the best, although personality (probably) isn't guaranteed.

I've seen lovely dogs of both sexes, so I think it's more personality than sex related.