Boy or girl lab puppy?!

[Georgia1983]

Hi, i’ve never owned a dog but always loved labradors. We now have the option to select a boy or a girl puppy from a local litter of pedigree labs. The pups are beautiful!

How do I choose which sex? I’m weighing up the pros and cons of each:

girls - cons are but more expensive, dealing with seasons, more expensive spaying and longer recovery time. Pros - maybe bit more docile?

Boys - cons are maybe more energetic and boisterous, may run off more and mark territory. But pros are bit cheaper, cheaper to neuter and less recovery time from op. Plus maybe if neutered at young age may overcome a lot of cons.

I’m not looking to breed. Whichever I choose will be a very well loved family pet. I should also say I have 3 children - 9, 7 and 3. They adore dogs.

Which would you go for? Thanks in advance! X

[daffydowndilys]

I would personally choose a girl but then I have always had girl dogs.

Girl dogs might be a bit smaller.

[tabulahrasa]

It’s personal preference really, what you’ll get is a load of posts with people stating theirs...

Why are the bitches more expensive? That’s a pretty big red flag about the breeder tbh.

[Aestas]

Choose the puppy that chooses you.

[bluebluezoo]

Why are the bitches more expensive? That’s a pretty big red flag about the breeder tbh

This. Also having the choice- usually you get what the breeder has available!

Boy/girl doesn’t matter. People will say oh but girls are more friendly/less friendly boys are this and that but as with humans it’s a stereotype based on owning one or two dogs. Isn’t applicable to individuals.

I preferred a boy because of the easier neutering process. Plus you have more options to neuter early/late depending on what the dog is like.

But it’s a pet so you’ll neuter anyway, so it makes very little difference.

[Rattymare]

I've had both. 2 boys previously and now have a girl . Girl is quieter than the boys were. I normally let them come to us when seeing the litter. Our first one was the strong boy, pushed his way to the front of his brothers and sisters. Our 2nd one, was not so boisterous he had the most gentle nature in the house but on the lead he was so excitable he pulled like the devil. The girl was the quiet one at the back of the litter and now she is just adorable. She loves men though and always wants to cuddle DH or DS before me.

[BiteyShark]

It really is a personal choice.

I like boys because I didn't want the hassle of managing seasons.

[tabulahrasa]

On a not completely serious note...

I always have boys - have you ever tried saying good girl in a very Scottish accent? That’s way too many syllables...

[Georgia1983]

Thanks everyone!

There is nothing to worry about here - no red flags. I was on waiting list for a girl. all boys were taken. Then boy became available. Then someone dropped out of girl too. Owner has now offered me a choice as I have been on waiting list. Someone else is waiting for the boy I have my name down for.

They are really little so too young to pick one out - I have second choice of the boys. But you have to decide which sex you want now which is the hard bit. They are very much in demand!

They are pedigree labs - excellent scores (a vet has checked for me), and pedigree heritage.

Girls are bit more because some people want to breed from them. Not a red flag.

I’m thinking boy ...

Ridiculously excited about this pup! 😃

[bluebluezoo]

Girls are bit more because some people want to breed from them. Not a red flag.

That kind of is the red flag. Most breeders are very, very selective about future breeding of their pups. There is often a clause in the contract regarding it.

Plus they do know you can breed from boys too?

I had an agreement to neuter for my boy as he is very slightly too small for breed standard, so the breeder specified as she knew any pups wouldn’t be the required standard.

[tabulahrasa]

“Girls are bit more because some people want to breed from them.”

That’s the very reason it’s a red flag.

[ilovesocks]

Agree re the red flag. Also, if you get a boy, please read up about early neutering. I would never neuter a dog of that size prior to approx 2 years of age.

[fivedogstofeed]

Girls are bit more because some people want to breed from them. Not a red flag

Totally a red flag.

'Breeder' who thinks you'll get your money back by breeding and selling the pups? Clearly doesn't give a damn about where the pup ends up. Bet these are bred in a 'lovely family home' as well.

[Georgia1983]

This was not what the breeder said. This was my, and others’, assumption. I stand corrected.

I don’t know why girls are £40 more. Maybe girls are seen as more docile, better with families.

This is a reputable breeder. There is nothing dodgy here.

I don’t want to get into a debate about ethics here - there really are no red flags. Clearly my assumption has led to confusion.

Many question was which sex to go for. Thanks all!

[Toooldtobearsed2]

I have 2 labs, a boy and a girl - for 30+years i have had 2 labs, or retrievers, always on of each, though sheer happenstance more than anything.
Personally, i have a soft spot for the boys. I have always found the males to be more velcro ish than the girls. Mine follows me everywhere, whereas my female just takes herself off to her bed and snoozes.
Having said that, i enjoy training and walking more with my girl......

Get one of each 😁

[Toooldtobearsed2]

Oh God, what a horrible smiley! Sorry😂

[Awesomeo90]

Girls generally make better pets, which is typically why they cost more. They fit into family life very well. I'd always fully recommend a girl for anyone with children.

[Awesomeo90]

Girls are also a smaller build than the boys which would be much more practical for a house with young children.

[JPK1510]

I’ve always had boys. So loving, I don’t think I would ever have a girl!

[bluebluezoo]

Girls generally make better pets, which is typically why they cost more. They fit into family life very well. I'd always fully recommend a girl for anyone with children

Do you have any evidence for this, or is it purely your opinion?

I’ve never had a boy that didn’t make a fab pet, or fit into family life.

[Awesomeo90]

Girls make BETTER pets ... that is not to say that boys don't make good pets. To be honest, you can't go much wrong with a lab, whichever sex.
However, bitches are smaller built and mature faster, which is important for training, particularly when there are small children in the house. Dogs on the other hand are more dominant and boisterous, which isn't necessarily a problem for adults, but young children may be knocked over, mounted etc more often.
Of course, a lot of this can be negated by how the dog is raised and the level of training they receive, but there is a clear advantage to having girls, especially for a family.

[Toooldtobearsed2]

Have to say that i agree boy labs are slower to mature than girls, and are bigger and more bumbling.
However, my 3 year old GD has had no problems licking either of them into shape from when she first started crawling. In fact bigger, bumbling boy is much more 'caring' of her than girl is, so size aside, nothing to pick between them.

Boy enjoys dressing up too........

[OverFedStanley]

Absolutely no evidence that girls or boys make better pets or that girls are more docile total rubbish to make such assumptions as it would be to say the same about humans.

Boys are not more dominant than girls _ as we know dominance is not a thing with dogs anyway.

It is the temperament of the dog that will determine the dogs character, personality, drive etc also the environment in which they have been breed and reared.

You can't even choose between cocking legs and squatting to pee as both boy and girl dogs do this - even humping is done by both sexes

Maybe the only guaranteed difference will be the male lab dog licking his willy nosily at mealtimes

[Toooldtobearsed2]

Maybe the only guaranteed difference will be the male lab dog licking his willy nosily at mealtimes
YY

😂😂😂

[Awesomeo90]

Not sure what you mean by this; as we know dominance is not a thing with dogs anyway.
A quick Google will bring up plenty of evidence to support what I've said above. Of course not every dog fits this profile but most do, and I personally would always recommend females for families because of this. I have had both sexes and they've always seemed to match their stereotype. Thats not to say males are bad pets- a dog is still a dog and I've yet to meet a horrible Labrador so really it's just preference.

[OverFedStanley]

Quick Google brings up

dominance

[[https://drsophiayin.com/philosophy/dominance/ dominance
controversy ]]

truth about dominance

is dominance still relevant