They live for 5+ years, and some people have said as long as 10! I don't know personally though because I've never lost a piggy, my Amelia is 1 and Lily is 2.

I've have females, but from what I've heard neither gender really has any advantages or disadvantages, it's all up to you. Oh, but males are less likely to accept another pig later, so if you only get one male to begin with you might not be able to get another male later or they could fight. But really it depends on the individual pig.