Well, personaly, I like females better. Maybe because I am a female. But mine are cuter with out, um, bulges. and mine are perfectly healthy. Also, buy them as young as possible. I think our homes are cleaner and more disease free. so the sooner you buy them, the better chances of good health. I think. I've had mine all their life. They love me. I love them. Also, I think we should all ask Jan for a list of (early, not later, please) symptoms of fatal diseases. She has the most experiance in this area. I know a couple, but we need more to watch out for so that we have some warning. OK, my lecture is officialy over. You are all dismissed. (All of you are on Christmas vacation, right?) ~Jessica~