I really can't answer your question as to why, but I had a male first and I now have a female. The male was all about play. The female is about play, but as soon as either I or my husband sit down, she is in our lap. We loved the male and love the female. The female does seem to be a little smarter. My husband used to play hide and seek with the male. He would joke that Sammy could smell poop a mile away but couldn't find him hiding in the kitchen.
You'll be happy with either one, I'm sure!!