Sorry for all the questions! I am new to this all and want to make sure I am doing everything "right." I have been talking to a lot of breeders and during our conversation I ask what they think about gender differences. When they find out we don't have a strong preference either way, I'd say 99% of them recommend a male for us. We have 2 young kids (ages 4 and 3) and the dog will be a pet (not showing), but I would like to get into therapy work. Are they suggesting a male because they think that is really what would be best in our home or because they need to get "rid" of the males, as they have more request for females??? Just an interesting observation I have made and wondered what the reason behind it is...
I like the temperment of boys a lot better - they're usually sweeter, less moody and so on. Yet in a lot of dog books it will say that females make better pets because they're maternal and boys are aggressive... Or it's often thought anyway. Right up there with let your dog have a litter before spaying....
I am pretty sure my next pup will be a boy, depends on the breeder but I wouldn't have a problem with keeping a boy. My one boy here is very sweet and affectionate when it comes to the kids, my 3 year old son will play fetch with him in the house and there's never a problem (apart from the fact that it's a 45 pound border collie racing to get the ball and destroying things as he goes.... part of the 'fun').
It's a combination. Demand for females is usually higher, and males, IMO, actually make better companions overall but due to a lot of "myths" regarding females, demand for them is higher. In some breeds, there may be striking differences between males and females but not so in Goldens. The biggest differences are that males (usually) lift their legs to pee and are more "love you love you love you" while females are more "love me love me love me." And males are usually somewhat larger, with more of a ruff.
I like the temperment of males better too. They are more lovey in my opinion. I dont think they are pushing the males maybe with the questions and your answers they think a male is better for you. I had a female golden and she was stubborn with a capital S.
I would certainly agree with the above posts. I have personally found that the boys are usually more affectionate, and more willing to please YOU. The females....a little more "aloof" and find their love and hugs when THEY want to give it. For a home with children, IMO, generally boy is more tolerant and patient with children, ready to tumble and play with them at any time. Temperament wise, it really shouldn't matter, as having sound temperaments in puppies, should be your top consideration, whether they are male and female. For what ever reason, it is true....more people seem to want females, and I always point out to them...that the males are the big Teddy Bears. My puppies are sold on limited registrations, so the prospective puppy buyers aren't looking to breed their girl. I make sure they understand there is from what I find, quite a difference in their personalities.
When I chose Rookie, I knew I wanted a male and my breeder was ever so gently pushing the females. But it was because she had more female puppies in the litter but more requests for males. I wanted a male because I really wanted the "love you love you love you" mentioned above.
When we first went to see Sam, our first Golden's litter, I wanted a female and only 2 males were left. I'm so glad! Sam was my best friend and constant companion. My sister got a female Golden and though sweet, no where near as affectionate as my Sam. When Sam passed and we were ready for another Golden, I specifically looked for a male. I missed a litter because they didn't have a male for me. I then found Ike. He too is a love bug.
I LOVE and adore male goldens!!!! I have had two females and loved them but the boys are my love bugs and I think so great with kids!!!! We've had five male goldens in our family. ALL wonderful, friendly loving etc etc!
Also neutering is less invasive and less expensive than a spay!
Thanks for the responses. We did place a deposit on a male puppy because of our breeder's recommendation, but afterwards we wondered why she (and all the other breeders) strongly suggested it. Didn't know if there was an ulterior motive! I know our breeder want to keep some females out of the 2 litters she's having to continue her breeding program. We have heard that males are more "love you" and that's what I would want.
Is there any truth to something else I heard - that male dogs bond more closely with their female owners and female dogs bond more with male owners? Or do Goldens bond with everyone in the family? I stay home with our kids and will be the full-time caretaker of the future puppy, so I'd love it if puppy was most bonded to me.
As a breeder, I don "push" males, but because I end up knowing my puppy buyers very well through the process, as well as knowing my puppies intimately, and after temperament/aptitude testing, I would say that the majority of homes would do better with a male, especially if there are youngsters in the house.
As Tahnee said - (anddon't get me wrong, I LOVE my girls...) girls say "Love me love me love me", and boys say "I love you I love you I love you". As a rule, girls tend to be much more on their own agenda, and boys want to please you almost to a fault.
I don't know, but I prefer the temperament of females to males in dogs, I always have. As to female dogs bonding more with males or females, Lucy seems to be bonded just as much to Bart as to me. We both have different roles though. I'm the "mom." I'm the one she runs to when she's scared. I'm the one she goes to when she needs something most often. I'm the one she sleeps on at night usually. Bart's the one she wrestles with, though she retrieves more to me. She loves us both a lot.
When we went to go see Neo's litter for the first time, I was the one who wanted the female. Chris had his heart set on getting a male. After long talks with the breeder, she knew what our life style was like and said that she would go with a male. I guess it didn't matter because Neo had already chosen Chris and I so there was no turning back. After having him now for almost 2 years, I would definatly say GO FOR A MALE.
Neo is the biggest love bug ever. He is in love with children. He's so gentle with them but yet will still play with kids. Neo has completely changed how i view males. He still pee's like a girl which was a issue with me. Thank god he hasn't really learned to pee like a boy. Or maybe its because when he has tried he always falls over?? lol
I have already told Chris that our next golden will be a boy. Neo has my heart. He is one big love bug.
The only GR male I've played with is Emma's sire. I can say he is a love bug, but so are his offsprings Emma is the biggest love bug ever, she would love everyone if given the chance. Always happy to see people, and she absolutely adores kids of all ages. She also thinks of herself as a lap dog, and has the "love you love you' attitude
Her half sister is the same.
Although I also have a female and love her dearly, I am in the "get a male" camp. I have both, I hope no one takes this wrong, but unless you've had both males and females I don't think you can make any judgement on which is more lovey, sweet, calm, anything. I know a lot of my customers who had females and insisted there was NO WAY the males could be more loving, sweet, calm, whatever....until they got a male. Then their tunes all changed. Every last one of them.
Of course there are ALWAYS going to be exceptions to everything. Someone might have just the most loving, sweet affectionate female in the world and think I'm nuts for saying the males are more of the above. But if one were to make a generalization, I personally have both males and female, and board lots of each, and I'd say get a male for sure.
One last thought....I mean this specifically for goldens, not necessarily for all breeds.
Also wanted to add, if you are the one home all the time, and feed, walk, and train your puppy.. it is very likely that puppy will bond with you the most. That said, (and this is a good thing!) Goldens are very people oriented dogs and easily love everyone.. my dogs are both total mama's boys.. but they love my boyfriend to death too.
Also depends on how many dogs you have. I think if you have 2, 3 or more they tend to be less centered on just one person. Anyone else agree/disagree with that?
Mine are all love slugs (that word is supposed to have a "t" instead of a "g" but the forum edits it out!) They'd go with anyone, not turn to look back at me, just walk away, tail wagging and head up.
Also wanted to add, if you are the one home all the time, and feed, walk, and train your puppy.. it is very likely that puppy will bond with you the most. That said, (and this is a good thing!) Goldens are very people oriented dogs and easily love everyone.. my dogs are both total mama's boys.. but they love my boyfriend to death too.
Ive never owned a male dog. Always had female, that why I stick with them cause I know what they are like. Chloe is my best friend. She is now 8 years old and is stuck to me like glue. I bought her when I was 15 all by myself, and raised her myself, with little help from my parents! She is the biggest suck in the world. and is soo well behaved.
When we got Cedar, Ryan and I both wanted a girl. We always had female animals, so it felt right. When the breeder asked what we wanted and I explained why. She said she much prefers the males over females, for the same reason all you have explained. They are more "love you" then the independent "Love me" females! But I never believed it because I have my Chloe who is my big baby! Well I should have believe it, because Cedar is the total opposite of Chloe.. lol she is very independent. All about herself. and Stubborn as heck.. I think when we get another dog it may be a Male.. Just to try it out, cause Ive never had one, and ive heard so many great things!
In my house, Brody and Klondike follow me EVERYWHERE! Wherever I am....they are there too, ano matter what room I get up and go in to.
Not with Lexi....she is much more independent. I LOVE it when she is pregnant...the hormone's going on, and she is much more into wanting loves and hugs. She is extremely SWEET, but also does things HER way, and when she wants to. Also, she loves both my Husband and I, but she definitely is a DADDY'S GIRL, while the boys never leave my side....even when Dan is home from work.
I have to say the "love you" "love me" generalization fits in our household. Fergus gives love, Lily demands love. Fergus cuddles, nuzzles, and makes happy faces/noises in response to petting, Lily registers no emotion when being petted but will swat you if you stop. She doesn't cuddle or show that she likes the attention other than the smack you get when you don't give her the petting she wants.
Don't get me wrong, I completely adore them both, but I have to say that Fergus is easier to love than Lily.
We always seem to end up with boys over here, but I will say that the temperament of the puppy and the early socialization are all infinitely more important than the gender when it comes to a home with kids. I'm not necessarily disagreeing with any of the male/female generalizations that have been made so far, but I think sometimes we see things in dogs because we expect them or because we have certain ideas about genders. The difference between an even tempered dog and a high-strung dog is a lot bigger than the difference between a male and a female.
Temperament testing is incredibly important, and it's even more important if you're bringing a dog into a home with young kids. The litter should be socialized to young kids for weeks before they go home with families, and the kids and owners should interact with the puppy a great deal before the papers are signed and the checks are written. If the breeder is excellent and responsible, he or she may already have a kid-friendly puppy i mind for you, and those recommendations are really good if the breeder knows what he or she is doing.
Good luck! We just picked out a puppy (a boy) for my sister's family, so I know just what you're going through.
Also, dogs seem to bond most with whoever feeds them, trains them, plays with them, and sleeps near them. That's more powerful than anything gender related.
Also, dogs seem to bond most with whoever feeds them, trains them, plays with them, and sleeps near them. That's more powerful than anything gender related.
Ehhh... maybe. But as I said, living with multiple dogs, and often several breeds at a time, the "generalization" is in fact much more often the case than not, and a phenomenon that nearly every breeder with a number of dogs that I have talked to has experienced, as well.
I love all my dogs equally, but do tend to adore the boys! In my house the girls would go home with any man willing to take them!!! Maybe that's b/c one doesn't live here !!!! lol
I tend to prefer the appearance of the males personally...I try to match up pups temperaments to families more so than genders ...and I always have more reservations of the sex I don't get in a litter!!!!
If I was to have to choose a pet golden only, my choice would be a boy every time!
They don't call 'em bitches for nuthin'. [/quote] LOL I have me one of them!
I find this thread very interesting it blows away all of the myths I believed about males. While I think my Bailey is the exception to the rule Charlie on the other hand is the most self centered demanding little furry devil I ever did met but I adore her, it's all about her all the time:bowl:
I picked a male this time because our last two dogs were females and were sassy! They had a mind of their own - They were mixed rescue dogs. We want a new experience and that why we are choosing a male.
This is so funny reading all of your posts and remembering why I choose a female pup in the first place.
Our friends have two older goldens, a male and a female. When we told our friends we were getting a golden pup they immediately responded, DON'T GET A MALE!!! They love their old boy of course but said he was very hard to raise, very stubborn, very hyper, and didn't grow out of his puppy ways until he was well over four years old.
They went on and on about how their female was the best dog in the world and that we just had to get one. She is calm, gentle, very obedient, and the biggest love bug ever.
Well, we choose a female and she is the best dog in the world and I have two kids of my own and care for three more in my home. She loves them to death.
Now that I look back I know why my friends male was much harder to raise, he was never fixed. All he ever wanted to do was get his groove on and couldn't focus on anything else until he was much older and lost some of his mojo.
I don't think it had anything at all to do with him being a male. It had to do with him being an intact one where as the female was spayed at less than a year old.
My next golden will probably be a male but certainly a fixed one. The only thing I don't like about males is their desire to hump everything.
It all comes down to each individual dog and how they are raised and very likey hormones can play a role.
I would bet that it's more about lack of consistent training. All of my intact males are very easily trained, and while loopy when there are girls in season, they are still easy to live with and work well when asked. In fact, DOING stuff with them when the girls ARE in season is helpful and gives them something else to focus on. NONE of them have ever wanted to "hump everything".
I find that the boys are so layed back and harder to train, then my girls who have Spunk, attitude, high drive and learn so quickly. But I love both, and will always have 1 of each.
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