Boy or girl lab puppy?

[ilovetofu]

What are your experiences?
Can't decide which to go for.

[pollyputthepastaon]

A bitch definitely.

[MadameLeFunky]

I love the dogs but my next will be a bitch.

"If you want a good dog, get a dog. If you want a great dog, get a bitch and cross your fingers" 😂

[ilovetofu]

Ha! Im getting mixed opinions. Owners are mainly saying get a girl. Breeders are saying there's no difference it's all about the training...

[tabulahrasa]

It’s personal preference ...and really I don’t think there’s actually a difference because I think boys are more willing to please and affectionate, but people who prefer bitches say exactly the same thing about bitches... so...

[Girlintheframe]

We've only ever had dogs. Because they have both been incredible I would only get dogs in future. One of them was a lab and the sweetest, most gentle dog going. Tbh though I don't think it makes much difference. Think it just depends on the nature of that particular dog and training.

[Mummy2one2016]

We have had both and the bitches have been easier to train. Labs are very head strong dogs, which seems to be more prominent in dogs than bitches.

[happygardening]

We’ve only ever had dogs (not labs) but we’ve have had gun dogs in past. Always been very loving straight forward and easy. Most of my friends seem to have bitches (all breeds) most seem to have a little or even a large irritating quirk but maybe it’s the owners not the dogs?

[ilovetofu]

Thanks for the replies.
Going to see a bitch & a dog puppy at the weekend. There's only one if each left.
The breeder says the girl is a "live wire" " quite a character".

I had thought we should go for a girl but he's suggesting the boy might be more laid back & less work. I am am wondering if the feisty girl might be A. Very clever or
B. A bit of a nightmare.

I realise that I haven't met them yet but he has stressed the craziness of this girl puppy every time we've spoken.

[makingmyway10]

Hello. I have a 6month old lab and have always had them. My family have had both dogs and bitches and I grew up with both in the family. I have only had bitches of my own though. It is definitely training that makes the most difference but I would say that boy labs go through a teenage hormonal stage and can be vey headstrong and need a firm hand , bitches not to the same extent. Ultimately the training you put in is what determines how the adult dog will behave. My puppy is more lively than my old lab and more mischievous and more chewy! but also responds well to training and is quicker to learn things. Both my old lab and my puppy have lovely natures which is much more important. Have fun!

[Wolfiefan]

I would be tempted to meet them both and choose the one whose character you prefer. I visited a litter at the weekend. One sat and gazed into my eyes. I was picked.
Good luck!

[Montybojangles]

I have a 6 month old lab bitch currently. She is both A & B It’s been a long and wearing few months, but she will be great once she’s a little older (she’s actually great now, especially when she’s asleep ). It does mean you have to be alert constantly though, as if there’s a sliver of chance for any sort of chaos she’s on it like a rash! We’ve always had lab bitches, some so chilled out they are nearly in a coma, some quite full on. You’ll love it whatever you go for, I promise. Labs are the best.

[TheVanguardSix]

It's all about training with wonderful labs. Your biggest issue might be a)pulling and b) wanting to hoover food all the time. If you can really work on those two things (it'll never be perfect, but DO train your lab NOT to eat your food- this is a must. You'll have to be firm) you'll have a dreamy dog. Labs are the best.
I'd steer clear of the livewire/feisty one, personally. But meet them and see how you feel.

[makingmyway10]

Montybojangles so true Labs are the best!

[QOD]

We went for a bitch purely because we like belly rubs! Dogs willies 🤮

[BiteyShark]

I don't have a lab but we choose a boy based on not wanting to manage any seasons.

[EnglishRain]

Bitches are easier.

[fanniboz]

I have a 16 month old bitch and when she was tiny when we first got her we probably described her as a bit mental and a live wire. She still has her moments now (they take a long time to mature) but she's mostly very calm and gentle and just wants to sleep and chill out I've heard that bitches are generally calmer and easier to train but really it depends on the training and time put into them

[NotwhereIshouldbe]

Obviously dogs are bigger than bitches so something to bear in mind if you’re petite but in terms of trainability there isn’t a difference. Check out the puppies and go for whichever one you like the most

[VisionQuest]

I have four labs, two of each sex. All incredibly loving,

However, the most challenging one by a mile was my youngest bitch. A very quirky character, some very challenging behaviour to deal with when she was little, namely her reactivity to other dogs and unknown people.

I would base the decision on the dog/s in question rather than sex.

[VisionQuest]

I should have added that the breeder telling you she is a live wire is good info to have!

Obviously this could manifest in different ways as she grows up.

On the one hand she could be super intelligent and easy to train but she could also be somewhat of a neurotic character like my little bitch!

It's hard to tell how these things will pan out when they're small as they are hugely influenced by their new owners and experiences that they have as they grow up.

[makingmyway10]

Vision, you are so right we wanted a bitch and there was two in the litter, the other was spoken for. Our breeder who has many years of experience said our girl was a livewire and a bit restless but would be a fab dog. I did pause for a minute as the breeder knows her dogs. However I am not an inexperienced owner and her nature was lovely. The breeder was right she is lively but she is very intelligent and has been a dream to train, she has settled down now and I know that as she matures she will be a fab dog. Good training goes a long way.

[adaline]

We don't have a lab but we went for a dog, not a bitch.

The main reason being not wanting to deal with any seasons or potential pregnancies!

He's nearly two now and fantastic.

[Curlysurprise]

I have one of each , both labs. Different bloodlines, though both working types.
Very different personalities, both lovely.

Pick the one that appeals most when you meet them. Either will be fab.

[ilovetofu]

Thanks for all the replies.
It seems there is no general consensus!
We aren't planning to breed so seasons won't be an issue.
Breeder said the livewire is actually the smallest of the litter.
She's nippy, jumping over the fences of the area the pups are in for eg...
I am still leaning towards a girl.

[ilovetofu]

But yes I suppose as other posters have said, a puppy will choose you 🤷‍♀️