122What About Golden Retrievers?vacations and long-standing obligations. Your marriage, divorce, baby arrival, moving possibilities and other events can also be factors to consider. Choose a time when everyone has loads of spare time to devote to this important project so they can give the Golden their undivided attention.Do I want a male or female?Mostly, gender is a matter of personal preference. Golden breeders and owners have different views on this subject, and you should consult with the breeder you get your dog from. Perhaps females are a bit more dominant, but often males are more submissive and thus are very easily trained. If your companion will be neutered, the sex is immaterial. Neither sex has puppy attributes that overshadow the other, and all pups have the same needs and problems.Would I be happier with an older dog?If you aren sure you can tolerate the bad habits and clumsiness of a puppy, you should think about starting with an adult Golden. He might be one from a responsible breeder dog who was kept to show or compete in field trials but didn quite make the cut, or one who has now retired from competition. Or he might be a rescued dog who desperately needs a home. The many benefits of having an older dog often outweigh the fun of having a roly-poly puppy underfoot. Patience is still necessary with an older dog, but some of the hard puppy-raising work has already been done.Is it easy to obtain a Golden Retriever?If youe serious about wanting a Golden Retriever, youl find oneither a puppy or one who has been in another home. Nearly every state is blessed with a number of responsible Golden breeders, and many breed clubs and Golden Retriever rescue organizations are listed in the last section of this book. No matter how great this breed is or what the demand may be, there are always a few Goldens seeking new homes.
