Is a Male or Female Aussiedoodle Better?

If you are considering buying an Aussiedoodle, you might wonder, is a male or female Aussiedoodle better? There are many misconceptions about the difference between males and females of any dog breed. The Aussiedoodle is no different. Let’s look at some things that the gender of the Aussiedoodle does affect.

9-month old Aussiedoodle puppy
Aussiedoodle – Rigby | Photo Credit: Abby Burris

Effects of Gender on Male and Female Aussiedoodles

Size

The gender of an Aussiepoo affects its size. The size of the Aussiedoodle is very important to consider. Some dog sizes may be suitable for certain living conditions while others may not. One such example is apartment living, where smaller Aussiepoos might be more suitable.

Males on average tend to be bigger than females by about ten pounds.

However, there are other factors that affect the size of an Aussiepoo more than gender. Australian Shepherds come in the standard size and miniature size, known as Miniature American Shepherds. Poodles come in standard, miniature, and toy. Alongside gender, you should consider the size of the parents.

Aggression

Although there is not much difference between Aussiepoos in terms of aggression before they hit puberty, there can be some difference afterward. Aussiedoodles are very protective, and this means that, with the addition of testosterone, the males may portray more aggression.

But it rarely devolves into a problem that cannot be dealt with, provided that you have trained your Aussiedoodle.

Skittishness

Similarly to aggression, this often appears with the dog reaching maturity. Female Australian Shepherds can be quite skittish and that trait can be passed to the Aussiepoo. Often, this will be paired with cowering, especially in front of strangers, and sometimes submissive urination which does not only happen when the dog is afraid but also when they get excited.

Again, this is something that can be controlled with proper training from an early stage, although some things – like submissive urination – are more difficult to address.

I have seen the skittishness suddenly appear in my own dog when she was about a year old. It seemed to present itself not so much around other dogs, but around larger men, even if she already knew them very well. This may be something that you need to consider when deciding if a male or female Aussiedoodle is better for you.

Hygiene

The Aussiepoo is a very fluffy breed. If you have a male Aussiedoodle, they lift their leg and urinate without leaving too much of a mess behind. However, females may get urine on the hair between their hind legs. This means that the dog may get urine on your furniture, and the area will eventually start to stink.

Female Aussiepoos usually require more frequent baths. They may also need to be given hygiene cuts. If you are not confident about cutting your dog’s hair on your own, this means you need to take the cost of professional grooming into account when considering if a male or female Aussiedoodle is the best fit for you.

Again, this is an issue that I have had to deal with. But, I have been able to get around washing the dog too often by doing a ‘hygiene bath,’ which consists mostly of rinsing the entire dog and using a gentle shampoo like this one, on only the areas that need attention.

Going Into Heat

This is a rather obvious difference between male and female Aussiedoodles. But, it is one of the most important differences to consider. If you do not plan on desexing your dog, or you want to wait until after they have reached sexual maturity, you have to deal with your female going into heat, or keeping your male in if a dog in your neighborhood goes into heat.

Aussiepoos are very active and intelligent, which makes them brilliant escape artists. Males tend to be very eager to get to the female and may even become destructive in their efforts. Females are also eager to get out, but may not be as bad as the male Aussiepoos in this regard. However, females tend to make a mess of your house.

There are some products like this one, that can help minimize this mess but most of these require a tail. Some Aussiedoodles are born with a very short tail or no tail at all. This makes these products difficult to use. In cases like this, hardwood or tile floors are best. They are easy to clean and don’t stain.

Does Aussiedoodle Gender Affect Personality

Blue Merle Aussiedoodle
Blue Merle Aussiedoodle

A common misconception is that there is a very big difference between male and female dogs. This is not the case for Aussiedoodles or any other breeds! Especially when they are puppies, there are very few differences between the male and female Aussiedoodles.

Instead, the puppies have their own personalities which can be influenced by their parents, and how they are raised. Some of their characteristics have absolutely no explanation at all.

Often the breeders will be able to pick up on the personalities of the puppies by about six weeks. They will be able to recommend certain puppies based on your needs, such as calmer puppies for those who live in apartments, or more lively ones for those with more active lifestyles.

Aussiedoodle | Photo Credit: Brit Wilson

Does Desexing Prevent Gender Characteristics in Aussiedoodles?

Yes, if it is done early enough. These dogs mature at different times depending on their sizes, with smaller sizes maturing slightly earlier than larger ones. In general, spaying or neutering your Aussiedoodle under six months would ensure that they do not reach sexual maturity. This means that you would avoid the aggression or skittishness that may be associated with their gender.

However, many people do not like spaying their dogs until after maturity. It is best to consult a vet for this as each dog may differ.

Conclusion

So is a male or female Aussiedoodle better? The answer is neither is, or both are equally good. If you plan on desexing your dog early then there is very little difference related to the gender of the dog. Although you may still need to consider the hygiene requirements of female Aussiepoos.

If you are not going to spay or neuter your dog, then it depends on your needs. For quieter households without children, female Aussiedoodles may be best, but keep the mess of her heat in mind. If you have a very busy household or want a dog that may act more violently towards strangers, a male may be better.

You need to remember that these are just generalizations though. It may not be the case for the dog you choose. Your male might be skittish, your female may be aggressive. Every dog is unique and although we should keep gender generalizations in mind, we should not be surprised if they don’t appear.

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