Hi all,
my family has decided to welcome a Golden into our family. Since we have young children (4 and 5 years old) we thought that getting a bitch might be better than a dog, because they tend to be smaller. A friend has suggested recently that a dog might be a better choice though, because in his opinion they are more loyal. Now we are confused!!! Is there really a difference? Any advice is very much appreciated!

Hi
I don't have GRs so can only talk generally and not breed specific.  Yes, generally, bitches are smaller than dogs in all breeds but even a female GR will be big enough and bouncy/strong enough to knock over a 4/5 year old child.  Sooo, training (of both pup and kids!!!) will be paramount.  SOME bitches can also become a bit moody and inconsistant temperament wise around their season, so that may be one point in favour of a male.  

I have a GR dog and he has the nicest temperament of any dog I have ever owned. As with all puppies he was very bouncy but has been a dream to train and live with :) I have only ever had dogs, never a bitch, as this is just my personal preference. There isn't much difference in size between a dog and a bitch, both are large :) A well bred, health tested GR is a joy to have around.

Well all dogs are individuals so I can only say what my two are like. I have two goldens; one dog and one bitch. The dog weighs a stone more but is so laid back and gentle that he's far better with little ones (dogs or humans) than my girls. She's a firecracker. She is very affectionate and more willing to please us just for the sake of it. He was more outgoing when it came to 'visiting' every dog we met but that stopped when he was about 18 months ole (just thruned 3). My two are chalk and cheese but the boy is the easiest. I may be a little unfair to my girl as she's only 15 months though. We'll see how she turns out when mature. :)

I have 3  GR bitches and 3 dogs. My boys are all very loving and loyal but a fair bit bigger than the girls. My 3 girls are all very different, gran, mom and daughter as well. Gran is a proper madam and the boss, will love you when she wants love but very gentle and loving with the children. Mom is very laid back and extremely soft and gentle, daughter is a complete loony, very bouncy and excited. They all have their own individual characters but dogs in my experience tend to be more on the same level than bitches. However all are fab with my kids, a 4 year old and 8 month old. whichever you choose you will be rewarded with loyalty and love.
mel.

> Is there really a difference

This is a very personal thing, it is like asking a parent whether they prefer to have a girl or boy.  They are different, but both children/people.

I think every dog is an individual, but I prefer owning bitches, and others prefer owning dogs.

Dogs cock their leg when they pee, and bitches have seasons, so about even on the nuisance of bodily functions.  Bitches may have mood swings linked to theri hormone sycles (usually so mild only you woudl notice) and dogs can be, well boys, show off (especially with other males) that they are the 'man' when adolescent, and amy even have a roving eye, some don't.

The choice as they say is yours, both are as loyal as each other.  Males will have masculine characteristics and tendencies, and bitches will have feminine traits(unless you turn them into sexless juveniles by early neutering).

From what I have heard and from expierance if its your first dog bitches are usually easier and better to have :)
But like said before it is only a personal opinion!

shouldn't be first on your list but do you care about your lawn? the neighbours have a GR bitch and it is ruined. Our boy just digs up the borders instead :)

This made me laugh, oz! Yes the bitches pee and ruin the lawn that way, but my Goldie boy digs holes in the middle of it, so I can't win either way! But I wouldn't be without them, the boys and girls are both great!

Thank you so much for all your input. Oz and Pedlee, your suggestions about the lawn made me laugh! My husband decided last year to put patio weed killer on our lawn to kill the weeds off. Unfortunately, he didn't consider that he would kill off the grass as well. So our lawn has been ruined for quite a while and is only now starting to recover... And my children decided yesterday that they wanted to give mummy flowers and dug out all the borders... To be honest there is nothing that a dog/bitch could do to my garden that hasn't been done before... ;-)
But it is nice to hear that you are all so happy with your dogs and bitches, and it made us think that if our chosen breeder doesn't have a bitch for everyone on the waiting list then we would definately consider having a dog from her rather than look elsewhere. And since she is very experienced she can help us decide, too. Before, we were quite fixated on a bitch, but now we will definately have a rethink.

bit late in the discussion for a reply but we have a dog and he is a dream. VERY easy to train and really good with small children. He is only 12 weeks but seems to know that he cant be so OTT with them.
Rx

I would recommend a bitch, purely due to the fact that you have 4 and 5 year olds my reasons:

Bitches mature faster, and you don't get all the testosterone problems, GR's are lovely friendly dogs of good temperament, (as long as from a reputable breeder) but young male dogs especially the size of a GR will almost certainly attract other males trying to put him in his place, GR's are bouncy and known for being diggers, with having young children I think the smaller the better a large big boned male GR pounding towards you might not be a nice experience until properly trained. ;-) With a male you may have a lot of unwanted attention and behaviour issues that with a young family you are best avoiding.

Dogs are more likely to follow you around and are known for being more loving in most breeds, but to be honest female GR's are just as friendly from the ones I've experienced, they are just more grown up! Which with a young family I think is something to think about.

Yes, bitches have seasons, but after the first you can spay, and yes, the amount will be much dearer than having a dog done.

As you've gathered I'm advising a bitch for you. :-)

Thank you, Carrington, for your insight. I think you have mentioned the exact reasons why we decided to have a bitch in the first place. It's nice to hear it from an experienced dog owner though. A bitch is still our first choice, but I think we won't rule out a dog if there are no bitches in the litter for us. But we will definately seek the advice of the breeder, who I'm sure will only give us a dog puppy if she feels confident that we can handle it. If not, we'll just wait a bit longer for the right bitch.

This is where being on the waiting list for a good litter bred by a decent breeder pays dividends.  the breeder gets to know you over the months, a good breeder will get to know the little quirks of each pup that show what which way it's character may develop and match the right pup to right owner.

With breeds like the Golden and my own even where pups are much the same to look out I think a puppy buyer is much better being led by the breeder in which pup to have rather than on insisting they have x choice.