Hello there,
               I'm very curious to know which of the sexes makes for a better pet? We are getting our golden pup soon, and were advised to get a female due to the fact males are much more likely to challenge you, and the wandering off/ humping behaviour! ;)
   But it seems the more i read, the more i'm hearing that males are much more patient, less moody and less likely to snap, (something i've become increasingly worried about due to incidents i've read about).
  So whats the deal on this? Are the bitches really that moody?? ;)

Well I prefer males and have mostly males, guess if I had females I may say different. Can tell you though that I have never had a male challenge me or wander off and the worse humping in my pack is done by a bitch.

Hi

Everyone has their own preference and my preference is girls but this is mainly because I have only ever had girls. I have come across both sexes that are stand offish, loving or snappy so IMO I dont think it really matters much its whatever you want. Bitches have a the draw back of having seasons (the mess and not being able to go out when they are in season). Good luck with your choice.

Nikki

I have heard that females are more loyal, but they take longer to housetrain. Females also wee when they get excited when they are pups!

I can only speak from personal experience Jasmine; both of my dogs are Bitches, and I've not noticed any moodyness, or snappy behaviour, even when they've been in season. However I guess all dogs are different.

liberty :)

I've got both sexes, and although they're all related, they all have different personalities and temperaments. Every dog is an individual - even pups from the same litter, brought up the same way, will be different.

I've discovered no temperamental differences between the sexes. In my experience the behavioural differences are limited to dogs cocking and bitches squatting - neither sex has a greater tendency to hump. Physically dogs tend to be bigger and stronger than bitches - whether that is a factor in your decision I don't know.

Hope this helps.
:)

I decided to ring the breeder up and ask to see the pups again! She still has one male left and a few females. I'm probably being the worst kind of buyer ever, i just really want to be sure!

Hello,

If this is going to be an only/first dog and you have no preference either way, then I would go and look at the litter again (as you've already chosen a breeder) and see which Pup appeals to you. I have a year old Staffie bitch but saw the litter and din't have a strong prefernce either way but Sal chose us so there you are.

I have had dogs in the past as well as bitches and don't think there is a great deal of difference I've had a male that was so laid back he was horizontal and bitches that would take on the world.

Why not let your pup choose  you. Good luck Karen

  I have only ever had male Staffys of my own and they have both been really chilled - no humping of legs or anything else. No bad behaviour or dominance issues
As someone else has previously mentioned each dog is indeed different with regard to temperament- just like humans are .

Go see the pups. Put your bag on the floor & the first puppy that runs to play with your bag is the one. That was how we chose our first rough collie & what a great dog she turned out.

Jean

Thankyou everyone, i will most definately go to see the pups again tommorrow, they will be four and a half weeks old, so hopefully their temprements may be starting to show?
  I've decided to not focus on gender and pick the one that appeals most :)

Aren't you lucky not being limited to one sex? You'll find people who criticise one sex have usually only owned the other! Go and let your puppy choose you!

Have you been to see the Puppies again? Let us know how you get on.

Sweep :)

Hello all :)
              I did indeed go to see the puppies again, i asked the breeder to get out all the available pups male and female, the females were very cute, but it was the big bouncy, chubby boys that got my attention. ;)
  One was a very light colour, and slimmer than the other 2 boys and was very hyper and into everything...he was very sweet, but i had a feeling he would be slightly more work than the other 2 as he was constantly on the go!
  Out of the other 2 boys, one was extremely chubby and a very dark golden colour, and the other slightly smaller, but a light blonde colour. Initially the big boy caught my eye, but as i spent time with him alone, i found that although he was friendly he liked to wander off and 'do his own thing' after a while.
  But oh boy.... the second one was an absolute doll!! Extremely affectionate, he loved having his ears stroked, and would tilt his head towards your hand like a cat! He was content to sit on my lap for ages and be fussed over ( i know that won't be possible when he's older! :D ) And he was playful, and just generally absolutely adorable!!! I felt that he had, as someone said earlier, 'chosen me' as opposed to the other way round.
  I am extremely happy with my choice. I guess in my heart i was always set on a boy, but due to being told the problems with them it put me off a bit. I just absolutely can't wait for him to finally come home, i have never ever felt time go so slow! I'm trying to pass time by reading and rereading The Perfect Puppy! :)
  Lets just hope i can last out the wait! ;)

Really pleased,

I told you the pup would pick you :D

So what are you going to call him?

Karen

:D I know!!!
  Names.... God, i'd only thought of girls names before..... I like Bailey and Joey?....

  Hmmm i'll have to think a little on that one!
Any suggestions? :)

ive always had girls cos it's easier to tickle their bellies, no little bits in the way ! :D stupid reason i know

sarah

Think I've always been slightly put off bitches because of "season" issues but each to their own .:)
Pup sounds lovely :)
What about Cosmo for a name ??  :D

deleted due to duplication ;)

He sounds adorable!

My kids like Neo (as in the Matrix) or Nemo (Disney) :rolleyes:

I was struggling to think of a name for Dizzy until we had her home then her name became obvious ;)

My present puppy is the only one I have named before he arrived, all the others have been named after, with a couple some time after, and they all still answer to puppy-puppy.