We have one of each. They are both lovely, but I prefer the girl. She is sweeter and, frankly, easier to walk because she is smaller and doesn't pull as much.

We have a girl dog who sometimes lifts her leg when she pees (outside, never inside). And if we're on a 15 minute walk she will probably pee 3 times--some of that is marking, I'm sure. So I don't think the "marking" is confined to one gender of dog.

The best dogs ever! We have a female, but would have taken a male too!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can tell your DH that male Goldies don’t mark indoors. They might mark outdoors in favorite spots on the lawn, or they might not. Ours doesn’t. Actually, our male was quicker to completely potty train than our female. They’re so incredibly smart and eager to please. I’m excited for you! Get your son that boy puppy, and enjoy every silly minute! Wait to neuter him, if at all, until he’s at least 2 years old so that his bones can grow slowly and strong. We have two intact males and they’re total sweethearts (ages 2 and 7). You don’t have to alter them. Orijen Large Puppy is an excellent kibble. Kong Wubba is a great toy. You’re going to love this dog so much.

How big are your two males? Do you have issues with them humping or trying to get loose and wonder?

About 65lbs and 70lbs. Big enough to stretch out to cover an entire couch, but sweet enough to curl in a ball to make room when the kids want to sit with them. Big enough to block the stairs when the toddler took her first steps, then patient enough to sit by her for hours and hours while she put hair bows in his fur. Goldens are seriously the very best dogs. No humping or trying to get loose. Our boys just want to sit with their heads on someone’s leg or foot. Very, very attached.

Anonymous wrote:You can tell your DH that male Goldies don’t mark indoors. They might mark outdoors in favorite spots on the lawn, or they might not. Ours doesn’t. Actually, our male was quicker to completely potty train than our female. They’re so incredibly smart and eager to please. I’m excited for you! Get your son that boy puppy, and enjoy every silly minute! Wait to neuter him, if at all, until he’s at least 2 years old so that his bones can grow slowly and strong. We have two intact males and they’re total sweethearts (ages 2 and 7). You don’t have to alter them. Orijen Large Puppy is an excellent kibble. Kong Wubba is a great toy. You’re going to love this dog so much.

How big are your two males? Do you have issues with them humping or trying to get loose and wonder?

You can tell your DH that male Goldies don’t mark indoors. They might mark outdoors in favorite spots on the lawn, or they might not. Ours doesn’t. Actually, our male was quicker to completely potty train than our female. They’re so incredibly smart and eager to please. I’m excited for you! Get your son that boy puppy, and enjoy every silly minute! Wait to neuter him, if at all, until he’s at least 2 years old so that his bones can grow slowly and strong. We have two intact males and they’re total sweethearts (ages 2 and 7). You don’t have to alter them. Orijen Large Puppy is an excellent kibble. Kong Wubba is a great toy. You’re going to love this dog so much.

Great advice, thanks all!

You can’t go wrong! Both sexes are great dogs. If I were you, I’d probably get a male. Males love to love you, and females love to be loved by you. Males will let you pet them, dress them in silly hats or bandanas, they’re infinitely patient and loyal. Females are too! Females just are a tiny bit more self-asserting and will, for example, move away from you when they’ve had enough interaction, whereas males will rest their head on you. Our male does not pee on his fur, lol. He is incredibly handsome, and our female is also gorgeous. You can’t go wrong! Maybe get both!

Female. Males get urine on their fur.

Here's my pro/con list for male and female golden retrievers:

Males--
Tend to be 10-15 lbs larger than the girls, are stronger and have larger heads (breeder should tell you parents adult weights, so that's a possible indicator of size differences).

Don't have to deal with heat cycles while waiting to neuter (current reccomendation is to wait until golden's are fully grown before fixing so as to prevent hip dysplasia and other skeletal issues).

Can have slightly shorter lifespan than the girls.

Females--
Smaller in general, longer lifespan

We had the most amazing goofball of a male golden retriever, and I honestly preferred that personality, but the female we have now is also very very sweet and fun, and it's also nice to have a somewhat smaller dog.

I’m curious also (male or female puppies in general). Besides potential compatibility with another family dog, why would one be preferable over another?

We've had male dogs and female dogs and yes male dogs will lift their leg around the yard and on walks, but we've never had issues in the house. Just go with the puppy the sticks out to you, there is a lot of information online on how to pick a puppy from a litter that's right for your family.

Anonymous wrote:You definitely don't let the 7 year old decide.

Thanks?

You definitely don't let the 7 year old decide.

We’re purchasing a puppy, and I just can’t make up my mind whether we should get a boy or girl? My 7 yr old son says he wants it to be a boy. DH is worried about territory marking. Any thoughts, advice, suggestions would be truly appreciated!