As far as males being more affectionate, maybe it's different with other tollers but mine is terribly independent and would way rather I let him be for most of the day.
I was actually thinking of Pit when I said there are always exceptions. Spring too, actually. Toller people always told me that the females were very independent, and somehow I ended up with a dog that takes "velcro dog" to a whole new level. I wish she was like Pit some days!