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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Labrador pup, girl or boy?

52 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 04/07/2021 10:31

Just had news from the breeders that a litter has been born with our puppy in it!!

Very very excited! We were told it would take up to a year so am pleasantly surprised it's happened earlier.

The litter are all brown.

Are there any character traits in girls or boys or are they all completely different?

DH had a collie growing up but I've never had a dog so lots to learn.

OP posts:

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Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 04/07/2021 12:59

Bump

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 04/07/2021 13:00

It’s just personal preference, I find boys to be easier going, more biddable and affectionate... other people say the exact opposite, lol.

Which would you find harder to deal with? An in season bitch or a dog that cocks his leg on everything you pass? That might help you decide, lol

Medievalist · 04/07/2021 13:17

Have had one of each, from puppies. You won't go wrong with either, they're such absolutely gorgeous, adorable dogs.

Always happy and extremely affectionate. But ALWAYS hungry!

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 04/07/2021 13:19

Thanks
Re the in season element, surely that's only until they are sterilised?

As you can see, I'm a real dog novice.

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Medievalist · 04/07/2021 13:20

We had our girl neutered after her first season - views very on the best time. We had it done because we would never have used her for breeding and because it's the healthier option for a girl.

Einszwei · 04/07/2021 13:22

Girl hands down every time. (We have two females labs and one male). The females are more loyal, and don't keep stopping to pee on walks.

Just make sure to get them spayed/neutered.

romdowa · 04/07/2021 13:23

From my own experience if I was getting a lab again , I'd pick a girl. All the female labs I've ever seen are far lighter and smaller than my hulk of a boy. He is massive and as strong as an ox and most people I know with a male lab say the same that they are huge 😅😅

Insertfunnyname · 04/07/2021 13:23

We always have girls as I can't bear the scent marking every 5ft from a male. Also males smell a bit more in my experience (for ever species!!) but personal preference.

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 04/07/2021 13:30

Another related question, when we go to the breeders to choose, how the hell do we do that as they're all going to be beautiful!

Will one instinctively come over to us?

Decided just to go with DH as kids could have an argument with a paper bag at the moment 😂

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PollyRoulson · 04/07/2021 13:30

Absolutely no difference re temperament or ease of training between the different sexes.

Bitches scent mark and can hump, male dogs may never cock their leg.

Females may be smaller but again not always the case. Boys may be bigger and stronger but not a lot in it.

simbobs · 04/07/2021 13:32

Boys all the way for me. They don't all scent mark constantly, either. As for size, that is far more dependent on whether the Lab is show or working stock, as they are quite different in weight and build.

Trinxsy · 04/07/2021 13:34

We have a 7 month old girl, she's absolutely crazy but so so loving and absolutely adores our toddler. She did go through a humping phase though

romdowa · 04/07/2021 13:37

@simbobs

That's really interesting, I didn't realise that there was a difference like that. 2 of my neighbours have boys as well and they are massive like our fella but so many of the females I've seen are so petit in comparison.

PollyRoulson · 04/07/2021 13:38

Hopefully if an experienced breeder they will help to match you to the puppy most suited to your family. How old are they when you visit them?

If they are chocolate labs interrogate the breeder about allergies

lolbrador · 04/07/2021 13:40

I agree with most, won't go wrong with either. We have a big yellow male lump at the moment, lost our old black boy last year. Both been fantastic family pets. I wanted a bitch this time, but our current boy was the last of the litter so there was no choice to be made.

I will point out that we did have to have him neutered. He was very humpy, and now we have a bit of an issue with male dogs humping him. He doesn't seem to mind though!

I would say bitches are more loyal, however when it comes to lab I think loyalty comes to whoever is feeding them or is eating food at that moment. Enjoy your new addition to the family

tabulahrasa · 04/07/2021 13:47

“Bitches scent mark and can hump, male dogs may never cock their leg.“

Yep, I was going for the two extremes... lol

And yes op, they don’t go in season once they’re spayed - so you’d presumably be not dealing with seasons for long.

But honestly, I think it’s arbitrary really... I mean, I still prefer boys, but I also suspect it’s not really based on much.

simbobs · 04/07/2021 13:47

You will certainly never find a more loving dog than a Labrador. For those who are unaware there are 2 distinct types of Lab and there can be as much as 10kg difference between them.

LucyLatimer · 04/07/2021 13:49

I have a girl, she’s really loving and placid. Way smaller than the boys but always hungry.

Medievalist · 04/07/2021 13:55

If, as you say, you're a dog novice please make sure you do loads of research into the breed.

Interesting comment about size - my old girl was very chunky but my boy is very small for a Labrador.

Labradors love water and are excellent swimmers. Unfortunately this makes them prone to ear infections (their long floppy ears stop the ear canal drying properly and creates a warm moist environment for bacteria). If they start shaking their head that's a sign of infection and if left untreated the ear shaking can rupture small blood vessels causing a haematoma.

Fortunately our boy isn't quite such an adventurous swimmer and doesn't swim completely underwater the way our girl did. In fact he's generally more wussy than she was!

They're also prone to arthritis, so try to stop them getting overweight (difficult with a breed that just lives to eat). Also very prone to lipoma as they get older - fatty lumps which you will need to monitor to make sure they're nothing sinister.

The good thing about their obsession with food is that it makes them very easy to train!

XelaM · 04/07/2021 14:18

All the young Labradors I meet are really high energy and a bit nuts, so I am always surprised that they are such a popular family dog breed. But they calm down when older

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 04/07/2021 17:39

@PollyRoulson

Hopefully if an experienced breeder they will help to match you to the puppy most suited to your family. How old are they when you visit them?

If they are chocolate labs interrogate the breeder about allergies

They will be 4 weeks when we visit them.

Have just a message from the breeder now asking which sex we would prefer!!!!
The pressure is on!

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PollyRoulson · 04/07/2021 17:45

At 4 weeks they will not be doing loads so it will be hard to pick by personality. They will be wobbling about a bit.

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 04/07/2021 17:52

@PollyRoulson

At 4 weeks they will not be doing loads so it will be hard to pick by personality. They will be wobbling about a bit.

Wobbling 😂

I think we have to make a decision.....

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PollyRoulson · 04/07/2021 17:54

We will need photos but they should look like wobbling guinea pigs at 4 weeks

What about names, do you have good boys names or good girls names?

bengalcat · 04/07/2021 17:58

Re dilemma of which one to choose - I’m with you on that one . When I went to look at whippador puppies 12 years ago I couldn’t choose as they were all so sweet - one eventually came and sat on my shoe so job done !

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