Hi, I am going to see a litter of golden retreiver puppies on Sunday and i need some advice ! I have grown up with golden retrievers and know the breed well, but have only ever experianced and known bitches. I would really like a dog but i have been hearing some horror stories about their behaviour especially if a dog is on heat near by. Our next door neighbour has a young newfoundland and is undecided as to whether to have her spade or not and i am concerned that if she doesnt and we have a dog there could be problems. Can anyone reassure about this sex?

Why are you going for a dog this time? I dare say they are lovely but have always prefered bitches myself. Next door having a bitch would not help I'm sure. I have a dog and a bitch living together but both are spayed. We had Chuck done as he would not stop pestering all the girl dogs in the park. He did not however try it on with our bitch. She told him off the first time he tried and he knew better than to try again.

It could be a bit difficult if you have a bitch in season next door if the gardens are only split by a fence (as it's so close, down the road etc really should not matter a lot), but otherwise I have to say I've had ten Goldens in my life, 5 of them bitches, 5 dogs -and I will never as long as I live have another Golden bitch! I find the dogs much, much nicer and easier in every possible way. Of course, we are all different and have different likes and dislikes so lots of people will think the exact opposite, but that's my personal view and experience. :)

IMHO bitches tend to be much easier, in fact the majority of dogs we see coming through rescue are males, particularly young adolescents. I am sure someone more knowledgeable about the breed will be along soon with their opinion.

Why not have a chat with the breeder regarding the differences between a dog and bitch, assuming of course that she is experienced and knowledgeable about the breed. Failing that if you want to PM me I will give you the phone number of my friend who runs Golden Retreiver Rescue and has been in the breed since year dot.

vigilance is really the only concern. boys can go a bit nutty when a bitch is in season but some don't care much at all. if you've a good relationship with your neighbour and they tell you when shes coming in you could manage it (though if your boys as randy as mine you'd be able to tell them that shes due). failing that make sure its a really good fence and make sure you keep an eye on him.

people manage both sexes living together without huge problem, i am sure neighbours can manage

> people manage both sexes living together without huge problem

so true!  I have dogs and bitches, and we cope.  But if I could only ever keep one sex (not that it will ever happen), and if it was for pet only, I would choose a male over a female every time.   They are so much more affectionate.

>But if I could only ever keep one sex (not that it will ever happen), and if it was for pet only, I would choose a male over a female every time. 

I don't have much experience with Goldens, but having had both males and females in my breed I can honestly say that, although the ones I've got are very nice and I'd hate to part with them, I'd rather be dogless entirely than have another male! Bitches every time from now on.

As you will see from the replies a lot of it is down to personal preference.

I've got 2 boys and 1 girl at the moment, and my first Goldie was female. I can't really say I've a preference for either sex, both are adorable. All have had different personalities. Pepsi, my first, was a real softy, and loved everyone - children, dogs etc. Charlie was harder work certainly and has always had a dislike of male black labs and some other male dogs, and even now is the same. Hamish is an absolute clown, and is so easy going, a real personality. Esme is a real livewire and another clown, not a bad bone in her body and always eager to please - she's been the easiest dog I've ever had to train in all aspects. Both boys are neutered, but I can't say I had any problems when they were entire.

I'd be equally happy to have a dog or a bitch.

I have both sex in Goldens. I prefer the girls but my boy is the most loving dog with the most superb temperament that you could wish. Prior to him being used at stud he couldn't have given a toss about bitches in season. What I have noticed now is that he does tend to go round the edges of the park sniffing more, but is still controllable. The girls (obviously) are smaller and probably more manageable on the lead, however, good training is essential in both sexes. Girls can be hormonal and giddy when coming in to season and that can be a problem. The most important thing is the temperament, get a bad Golden and it won't be the sex that you have to worry about! Still prefer my girls but I would never in a million years not want my boy around. My husband would like another boy as he loves the goofiness of the boys.

I have a male GR and he has a wonderful temperament, was easy to train and is an absolute joy to live with. He came to us as a rescue at just 9 weeks old so his parentage was unknown to us (rescue would not tell us his breeding despite his buyer having given them his papers) and he has never been a problem in any way :-)

Nicole you are so lucky going to choose your puppy :)

I have had a golden boy in the past who was wonderful in every way.

I have a golden boy aged 3 now, who has a wonderful temperament but he is sometimes a little headstrong, and he was hard work as a puppy, well until he was about 2 and half really, the last 6 months he seems to be maturing and becoming almost sensible, he is very loving with people and loves most other dogs, he welcomes the rescues we occasionally take care of he is one very sociable boy.  He is entire and as Alison has said about her boy, he does sniff an awful lot around the perimiter of fields (and he hasn't been used for stud).

The only thing I think you may class as a negative is that male goldens are very strong and can be a nightmare on lead, so need controlling.

I have only ever had male dogs, the females that we sometimes take in from the rescues have really opened my eyes to goldens as they seem very different, in as much as they are more independent, but still very loving, they haven't been quite as good with other dogs but this is probably because of their background.  This has not put me off as the next dog we have I do want to add a girl to my pack :)

Good luck on Sunday and let us know what you decide :)

My mother's golden was guide dog sired, and he had a superb temperament. A big, strong boy, but very trainable. His back end (never his strong point) gave way when he was 14 which meant that she had to lose him, but up till then he'd been very healthy.

We have had many GRs over many years,i would have a bitch over a dog any day,after having both dogs and bitches.
We have 2 girls now,both totaly different temperments and types.
It is just a case of preference to you at the end of the day.
As for the dog next door..that should not be an issue for your preference.

> so true!  I have dogs and bitches, and we cope.  But if I could only ever keep one sex (not that it will ever happen), and if it was for pet only, I would choose a male over a female every time.   They are so much more affectionate.

me to.

I have 4 goldens - 3 girls and one boy  - and if I had just one would go for a boy.  He is a loveable, biddable, handsome clown of a dog.

> handsome clown of a dog.

for me this is, i must admit terribly shallowly!, a factor. in my breed the boys just look amazing. the girls are gorgeous but they don't stop folk in their tracks like the impressiveness of the boys :)

> My husband would like another boy as he loves the goofiness of the boys.

Bless!  :-)  :-)  :-)

I have never owned a golden but do teach pet obedience training at a local club. I have a lovely entire male golden there who is just so kind in temperament and a goofy great hairy monster..... Love him to bits! He is coming up to two years old now and is still very immature. His sisters (also at club) are calmer and certainly are now mature, but no where as near an interesting in character. Although show bred with work on training and in experienced hands this dog would be a good working companion.

I don't know if it is the same in goldens as other breeds but I do think the boys take longer to grow up and mature mentally.

Which ever you get good training is important to keep the dog safe and give him security.

<I don't know if it is the same in goldens as other breeds but I do think the boys take longer to grow up and mature mentally.>

That made me laugh! Hamish still isn't grown up and he's coming up 10! Charlie grew up around 16, although still has his moments (he's nearly 17 now!).

As i said previous i have 2girls.
One of 3 and one of 2.1/2.....the young one has no intension of growing up,she is just daft and immature.
The other one of 3yrs old is old for her age,very sensible and mature and has been from a small pup.
You never can tell what they will be like when you choose your pup,they all have their own little personaltys like us.
Good luck with what ever you choose.

> That made me laugh! Hamish still isn't grown up and he's coming up 10! Charlie grew up around 16, although still has his moments (he's nearly 17 now!).

Ssshhh............... Don't tell Arthur I am trying to convince him he is now a mature male dog........ he is six years old

Ditto........people still stop me and ask how old my pup is.............much shock comes when I say 4 & half.

Hi Nicole1986, how did your puppy visit go yesterday ?