Hi we are currently trying to decide whether to choose a male or female puppy. We have previously had a female lab and don’t know whether to choose a male this time. What are the main differences in terms of temperament and just day to day living?

Well apart from the obvious (a need to spay or confine when in season), and it will differ depending on breed so I can only speak for my main breed (Bassets over the years), I found that once adult, the males tended to be more 'needy'  than the girls.  I had a couple who had just lost a second bitch (they had always had bitches) but I persuaded them to come see my all-male litter (saying having a different gender might mean they start fresh without continually comparing their new puppy with their old much missed bitch.  They came, and booked one of the boys!!  In that, I'd perhaps suggest you go see a litter and whether one of them, regardless of gender 'speaks' to you.

We did things the other way round, never having had any experience of living with a bitch - our first two Bassets were both males.  But then the bug bit (showing) and I decided we needed to be able to breed something ourselves to take into the ring.  So number three was a bitch.

In some breeds there really isn't a lot of difference, other than maybe size and if relevant (Bassets) furnishing.    Another reason we started with males, preferring the more wrinkles male Bassets have.

You're very lucky to be in this position; you can go and visit litters with a totally open mind and it won't matter if the puppy that 'clicks' with you is male or female. It'll be the one that suits you best, whichever sex it is.

It's very breed dependent. In Silkens for example the boys are very loyal and loving and the girls more independent and Diva-ish. A well known breeder once said of them 'the boys love you and the girls love you to love them' and I find that very true. That said I adore both and would struggle to choose which I prefer.

In collies I found almost the opposite with the girls very much wanting to be with me all the time and wanting to 'help' with everything and the boys more interested in sniffing around and being boys.

In the labs I meet on walks the boys seem a lot more boisterous and most seem over-sexed, wanting to sniff and hump everything. The girls seem to want to say hello then carry on.