If you've done your homework, you know a bit of what to expect - how big your puppy will grow up to be, what kind of personality is typical of the breed, how much grooming and exercise will be required. But there is much more to consider. If you plan to have your puppy spayed or neutered before it reaches sexual maturity, choosing which sex to buy looms less important. Behavioural differences won't be all that great. And you won't have to worry about your unspayed female coming into heat every six months or so, or your unneutered male leaping the fence to form a misalliance with your neighbour's dog.
Puppies are fun, but they are also a lot of work.
If you haven't the time or the perseverance to take on the responsibility of raising a puppy, but feel you can give a dog a good home, perhaps an adult dog is the answer. Breeders often have older dogs available, and many breed clubs have rescue committees that attempt to place unwanted dogs with suitable families. Taking on an adult dog is not for everyone, however. Some older pets take a long time to adjust to their new situations, and others come with bad habits you may not be equipped to handle. Behaviour quirks you have grown used to in a puppy you've raised somehow seem less annoying than those that come as part of a complete package with an adult animal.