I am thinking about buying either a Chocolate Lab or Golden retriever from the family of a friend. Probably going to be a Chocolate as they seem to be best physically suited for what I want. They have been breeding pure bread dogs of those kinds and a few others for quite a while. Their dogs are AKC registered and have excellent pedigrees. Their dogs are also somewhat popular around the country as being excellent field animals. I want one that will be physically fit for hunting and running, as I intend to do both, so I know that especially the Labs are well suited for those types of activities. I also want an intelligent and affectionate dog that I can play with pretty often. My dilema is this: Boy or girl?
I am confident that I can house train the dog so my concern isn't with marking. I have heard good and bad things about female vs male in general but not much specifically with regards to either of these breeds. I want a dog that will be intelligent, fiercely loyal to me and not be prone to running/wandering away, which I have heard are more typical traits of females. Though I have heard that they are more prone to mood swings, are generally less affectionate, can often be cold and seemingly uncaring, less playful, it's all about them and if you don't do what they want then they are grumpy and won't do what you want, can be openly defiant and can be harder to train because of stubbornness or B****Yness(I have heard that this is because they often just don't care even though they are trained) and in later years, if spayed, can have issues with "leakage."
In addition to the desired traits listed above, I also want a dog that will be athletic, easy to train(I have heard this is true of males due to a desire to please and be rewarded with food), will generally be more obedient to me after the training process(again I have heard this is more males because of the same thing about training) will be affectionate and playful. But, as stated above I have also heard that their loyalties can be tested and be lured away much easier as they tend to be more sociable with other people and animals(especially female dogs, if you catch my meaning). And while I have heard they are easier to train with food, I have also heard that it usually takes them a bit longer to "get it" than female dogs. I have also heard of them being more prone to excitement peeing and not be as good with traveling.
I have heard a theory that men generally have better luck with female dogs and there mood swings and vice versa where women have better luck with male dogs and that this is caused but the difference in gender between dog and owner. I am a 26 year old man so would I have better luck with a female dog than a woman would with a female dog?
I know that there are no stereotypes. I know that training and socialization with other people/dogs also have a part in all this, but are any of these generalizations true among the Lab breeds or the Golden retrievers?
I have had male 2 dogs in the past but they both tended to follow the general male stereo types as far as being very affectionate with anyone and everyone willing to give them attention, and prone to wandering(especially the German Shepard Rottweiler mix I had) and one(pure black cocker spaniel) being so attached/motivated by food that he would growl if certain people tried to take it from him. The shepard was also ALWAYS afraid of thunder and lightning(which I know is common) but even just light rain and water from the hose.
Any comments would be much appreciated.
I am confident that I can house train the dog so my concern isn't with marking. I have heard good and bad things about female vs male in general but not much specifically with regards to either of these breeds. I want a dog that will be intelligent, fiercely loyal to me and not be prone to running/wandering away, which I have heard are more typical traits of females. Though I have heard that they are more prone to mood swings, are generally less affectionate, can often be cold and seemingly uncaring, less playful, it's all about them and if you don't do what they want then they are grumpy and won't do what you want, can be openly defiant and can be harder to train because of stubbornness or B****Yness(I have heard that this is because they often just don't care even though they are trained) and in later years, if spayed, can have issues with "leakage."
In addition to the desired traits listed above, I also want a dog that will be athletic, easy to train(I have heard this is true of males due to a desire to please and be rewarded with food), will generally be more obedient to me after the training process(again I have heard this is more males because of the same thing about training) will be affectionate and playful. But, as stated above I have also heard that their loyalties can be tested and be lured away much easier as they tend to be more sociable with other people and animals(especially female dogs, if you catch my meaning). And while I have heard they are easier to train with food, I have also heard that it usually takes them a bit longer to "get it" than female dogs. I have also heard of them being more prone to excitement peeing and not be as good with traveling.
I have heard a theory that men generally have better luck with female dogs and there mood swings and vice versa where women have better luck with male dogs and that this is caused but the difference in gender between dog and owner. I am a 26 year old man so would I have better luck with a female dog than a woman would with a female dog?
I know that there are no stereotypes. I know that training and socialization with other people/dogs also have a part in all this, but are any of these generalizations true among the Lab breeds or the Golden retrievers?
I have had male 2 dogs in the past but they both tended to follow the general male stereo types as far as being very affectionate with anyone and everyone willing to give them attention, and prone to wandering(especially the German Shepard Rottweiler mix I had) and one(pure black cocker spaniel) being so attached/motivated by food that he would growl if certain people tried to take it from him. The shepard was also ALWAYS afraid of thunder and lightning(which I know is common) but even just light rain and water from the hose.
Any comments would be much appreciated.