I have been breeding, showing, and rescuing Goldens for more than ten years. And I have heard over and over again how people only want a female dog as a pet. Female preference appears to be something ingrained - even my family had only female dogs while I was growing up. Many people believe that females do not display alpha behaviors like "marking" and/or "humping", that they are more docile and attentive than the males, and that females do not participate in infighting over dominance. This is NOT TRUE.
In the dog pack (as in lions, horses and many other animals), females rule the roost. It is the females who determine the pecking order and who compete to maintain and/or alter that order. The females are, as a result, more independent, stubborn and territorial than their male counterparts. The females are also much more intent upon exercising their dominance by participating in alpha behaviors such as "humping", correction, growling, and even marking. There is a reason people utilize the technical dog term of "bitch" in a negative connotation - and it refers directly to the behaviors exhibited by the females of the dog world.
On the other hand, males are usually more affectionate, attentive, and attached to their people. They are also generally more trainable. Most boys are easily motivated by praise and food, and so eager to please that training is easy. Boys do get bigger than girls, but only by an average of 2 to 4 inches and 5 to 20 pounds. Boys also have the appearance that is what you think of when you picture a classic Golden Retriever. Although, since rescue Goldens come in the entire spectrum of sizes and colors of Golden Retrievers, it is just as possible to get a smaller male as a female.
Neutered males rarely exhibit secondary sexual behavior such as "humping", marking and lifting of legs. Once the testosterone levels recede after neutering, most of these behaviors (if they ever existed) will disappear. Boys who were neutered early on usually don't even raise their legs to urinate.
While most females will usually come to you for attention and then go a distance away, the boys are always waiting for your regard and near at hand.
I have seven female dogs in my household and three males. In all the time I have been doing rescue and with all the foster dogs that have come through my house, the ONLY fights I have ever had to break up were between females.
Any non-believers are more than welcome to come and test the theory with my pack. You have never had a real Golden welcome until my Beast has given you a loving and happy "I am so glad to see you!" Beastly greeting!
