Are you considering adding a Goldendoodle to your family? You might be wondering what the differences are between a male and female Goldendoodle and whether a male or female is better. If so, you are in the right place. In this article, we’ll look at the main differences between male and female Goldendoodles, as well as some of the myths about the different genders.
Is a Male or Female Goldendoodle Better?
It’s not possible to say that one gender of Goldendoodle is better for everyone. In most cases, there are no real differences between males and females in terms of personality, temperament, or health. The only exception is with diseases of the reproductive organs, and the overall size of the Goldendoodles.
It is really important to understand that there is a lot more than gender that can affect the personality of the Goldendoodle.
Like in any other dog, there may be some genetic characteristics not at all related to gender which may affect things like temperament, coat, size, and more. Goldendoodles are also largely affected by their previous experiences and current environment.
Even the influence that gender may appear to have on the Goldendoodle, may be in combination with other factors.
Cost of Male vs Female Goldendoodles
When considering purchasing a Goldendoodle, it is important to look at the cost of the animal.
Traditionally, many people have thought that female dogs were better. This meant that, even though the conclusion was based on a series of false misconceptions, breeders were able to charge more for females.
This does not seem to be the case with Goldendoodles in general, but there may still be individual breeders who do this.
Goldendoodles are rather expensive. You can expect to pay between $2000 and $6000 for them.
Although there is no obvious trend that indicates gender plays a role in cost, generation influences it a great deal.
Temperament and Personality of Male vs Female Goldendoodles
There are some common myths about the differences in personality and temperament between genders. Some say that males are friendly and cuddly, although they are more difficult to potty train. Others say that females are more friendly and make better family dogs.
The reason for these contradictions results from the fact that there is no true evidence behind them.
Male and female Goldendoodles are both very affectionate if they are brought up in a loving home. If they are socialized early enough, both genders love interacting with new people and animals.
If there has been some trauma in the Goldendoodle’s past then it does not matter whether it is male or female, it will be aggressive or wary in certain situations.
The same is true for training. If your Goldendoodle has had a negative experience with training or is not used to it because it was not started soon enough, then it may be more stubborn. Goldendoodles who were trained with positive reinforcement will love to work with you and will be very driven.
In my experience, all of these things have very little to do with gender. If you are looking for a specific temperament, consult your breeder. Some of them breed with the purpose of a specific result, such as a slightly calmer Goldendoodle.
Physical Differences Between Male and Female Goldendoodles
Although there are no real differences in the temperament of Goldendoodles that are caused by their gender, there are differences in their physical appearance. Let’s look at some of these so that you know which would suit you better.
Size and Weight
There is a very big difference in the size and weight of male and female Goldendoodles! Male Goldendoodles may, at times, be as much as 20 pounds (9 kg) heavier than the females.
In order to understand this better, let’s look at the Standard Goldendoodle.
The typical size and weight range of the Standard Goldendoodle is 13 to 20 inches (33 to 51 cm) at the shoulder and 15 to 35 pounds (7 to 26 kg). If you are looking at a male, it will probably end up in the upper half of the size and weight range. In other words, it should be around 16 to 20 inches (40 to 51 cm) and 25 to 35 pounds (11 to 26 kg). Females, on the other hand, are on the smaller end of the size and weight scale, averaging 13 to 17 inches (33 to 43 cm) and 15 to 25 pounds (7 to 11 kg).
This means that you should consider a female if you live in a smaller home. A male might thrive more if you are someone with a very big backyard.
Health Issues
Many of the health issues in Goldendoodles are not at all related to their genders. The exception to this is conditions of the reproductive organs, including some cancers.
Male Goldendoodles are at far higher risk for prostate or testicular cancer than female Goldendoodles. This is because male Goldendoodles have these organs, while females do not. Likewise, females are at higher risk for cervical cancer because males do not have a cervix.
Both of these cancers are extremely rare in dogs, but because Goldendoodles are more prone to cancer than many other breeds, it is important to familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms.
Likewise, males may be more prone to suffering from perineal hernias (intestinal or anal hernias). This is because, over time, testosterone causes a weakening in the muscles that support the digestive tract.
Female Goldendoodles, and dogs in general, are also at risk for pyometra, an infection of the uterus. This can be deadly, and if diagnosed too late treatments may not be effective.
Male vs Females Goldendoodles and Other Pets
Other Dogs
In general, male and female Goldendoodle dogs are both very good with other pets. However, if you have two male dogs or two female dogs, the chances of them trying to dominate one another increases.
As a general rule, you may want to consider getting the opposite gender to the one that you already have
Cats
Goldendoodles tend to be one of the best ‘doodles’ that you could get if you already have a cat. Unlike with other dogs, the gender of the cat and the Goldendoodle do not seem to have much influence on how well they interact with one another.
It is, however, important that the Goldendoodle and the cat are both well-socialized.
Male vs Females Goldendoodles with Young Children
While their personalities may not be very different, it is important to consider the possible size of your Goldendoodle if you have small children. That means that you need to consider the gender of your Goldendoodle carefully.
When your Goldendoodle is still young it may be very excitable and still in the process of being trained. This means if you have a toddler, or child small enough that it may overstimulate the Goldendoodle, cause it to become very excited, and possibly knock the child over, it may not be wise to consider a larger dog.
However, if you think that your children are old enough to handle a bigger dog, and want something a little bit larger, then the male is a perfectly fine option.
In cases like this, gender should be considered alongside the different sizes though. If you get a female Standard Goldendoodle, she will still be a lot bigger than a male Teacup Goldendoodle, which might be a better fit if you already have a female dog.
Related Reading:
- How Big Do F1B Goldendoodles Get? (Size/Weight Guide)
- The Pros and Cons of a Goldendoodle’s Temperament
- Goldendoodle Generations Explained (F1, F1b, F1bb, F2, F2b, and more)
- 11 Goldendoodle Health Problems To Know Before Buying
- Understanding the Barking Habits of Goldendoodles
- Average Life Expectancy of a Goldendoodle Dog (All Sizes)
