Male vs Female Labradoodle: Which is Better?

So you’ve set your heart on a Labradoodle. You’ve decided which color you like, but now you are faced with the question of gender. Male vs Female Labradoodle, which is better? Will one suit your situation more?

Labradoodle Sitting Outdoors
Labradoodle Sitting Outdoors

Let’s dive straight into that answer.

Male vs Female Labradoodle: Summary

Even the biggest differences between male and female Labradoodles are not a problem to a lot of people. In fact, many would not even notice them. 

This means that in most cases, it does not matter whether you choose a male or female Labradoodle. Instead, simply choosing whichever you like the idea of more, or whichever is available to you at the most convenient time, is acceptable.

Here are some of the biggest differences that you may need to consider. 

Male LabradoodleFemale Labradoodle
Size10% Bigger and Heavier.10% Smaller.
Gender Associated DiseasesProne to Prostate and Testicular Cancer. Prone to anal hernias.Prone to Ovarian and Uterine Cancer. Prone to UTIs.
TrainabilityMore difficult when young.Easy overall.
Energy levelsTaper off later (depending on size after about 18 months).Taper off earlier (depending on size after 12 months).
Territory markingPresent.Present.
Desexed variantsOnly size differs.Only size differs.

Physical Differences of Male vs Female Labradoodles

black and white labradoodles in different sizes
Black and white Labradoodles indoors

The physical differences between male vs female Labradoodles are the most profound. In my opinion, this is the most likely to affect your final decision, so let’s go through them first. 

Size

One way that male and female Labradoodles might differ is in their size. Of course, the parent breeds largely affect the size of the Labradoodle. But, in the same litter, fully grown females might be up to 10% shorter and lighter than their brothers. 

This means if you are looking for a Labradoodle, and want one as small as you can get, choosing a female is more likely to get you as small a size as possible. 

Likewise, if you want a bigger size dog, choosing a male in your litter is likely to give you a bigger Labradoodle.

This difference is not always visible when your Labradoodle is a puppy. When I got my most recent dog, she was the largest one in the litter. Now that they are about two years old, she is one of the smallest. 

Of course, this might not always be the case. There are always exceptions to the rule. You might get an exceptionally big female or a small male. But these size differences are more often the case than not.

Diseases

Male vs female Labradoodles have almost exactly the same physiology when it comes to everything. The difference is in their reproductive organs. This means that the issues that Labradoodles may experience will be largely the same, except for issues relating to these areas. 

In male Labradoodles, there is a prostate as well as testicles that may be prone to certain cancers. Additionally, the increased testosterone that is released by these organs may cause a weakening in the muscles that line the intestinal tract, making the Labradoodle more prone to a hernia of some sort. 

Female Labradoodles, on the other hand, have ovaries and a uterus. Both of these are also susceptible to cancers. They also have a much shorter urinary tract, making it easier for bacteria to enter and increasing the prevalence of urinary tract infections, or UTIs. 

Other than these issues, most diseases are not related to gender. Rather they are related to various lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors. 

Personality Differences of Male vs Female Labradoodles

brown labradoodle lying on a bed
Labradoodle lying on a bed

Now that we have looked at some of the physical differences between male vs female Labradoodles, let’s look at their personalities. 

You may think that males are more aggressive and females are timider. But, this is not true for any breed of dog. Instead, it is nothing but an old wives’ tale. Instead, let’s look at some of the actual differences you may encounter in the personality of Labradoodles. 

Trainability

It is true that, to some degree, female Labradoodles are a little bit easier to train than male Labradoodles. But this is only when they are younger. 

The reason for this is that females mature slightly earlier, leading to a stabilization in their hormones and an improved focus. If you train male and female Labradoodles from about eight weeks old, they will react similarly. Likewise, two-year-old Labradoodles will be equally easy to train, provided they have the same training background. 

This means that the females are really only easier to train during the teenage phase between 12 and 18 months. 

Energy Levels

black f2b labradoodle outdoors
F2b Labradoodle outdoors

The same thing that applies to trainability applies to energy levels. Puppies tend to be crazy, especially puppies of a breed as active as the Labradoodle. But, after their hormones have settled and they stop growing, Labradoodles start calming down a fair bit. 

This happens earlier in female Labradoodles, so overall they may seem a bit calmer. But, if you compare two Labradoodles of the same maturity rather than the same age, they may seem rather similar. 

There are also a lot of other factors to take into account. How the puppy has been raised will affect how energetic it is above all other things. 

Territory Marking

A common misconception is that only males mark their territory, but this is incorrect for Labradoodles and all other breeds. 

Males tend to mark their territory a little bit higher because they lift their legs. This makes it more noticeable and, depending on your flooring and curtains, more difficult to clean. Female Labradoodles mark their territory too. However, they are far more likely to mark the ground. This means that it is not noticed as often, and if you have tiled floors, it is easy to clean. Though hopefully, they are only marking their territory outside the house!

Territory marking is something that can be improved with training and consistency though. So, this may only be an issue that you have to take into account for a short period of time. It is essential to consider if you are renting a property though. 

Neutered Male vs Spayed Female Labradoodle

Labradoodle Standing in the Park
Labradoodle Standing in the Park

Differences Between Desexed Labradoodles

If all of the differences between male vs female Labradoodles stem from their reproductive organs, then what happens if those are removed? 

It depends on their age. 

If you spay or neuter your Labradoodle before they have reached maturity, then the size difference between the male and female Labradoodle might be minimized. In my experience, their height remains the same, but the males don’t fill out quite as much. 

Additionally, any characteristics that you may struggle with regarding the difference in maturation times may also be minimized. Things like territory marking are almost non-existent in Labradoodles that are desexed early. Their energy levels also decrease sooner. 

Risks for cancers and hormonal issues become almost zero. However, some say that this early desexing can affect bone density. This leads to an increased risk of bone-related illnesses. Females may also become incontinent.

If you desex them later in life, your Labradoodle will already have filled out and maintained its size. Cancer risks will still be very low, and issues related to hormones likely be prevented or minimized, but there is a higher risk they will develop in the surrounding tissue or anything left behind. 

Most behavior issues will also stop. However, you may have to train bad habits out of them. 

Should You Desex Your Labradoodle Sooner or Later?

This is a very difficult question to answer. There are risks associated with both earlier and later desexing. In most cases, breeders may have a preference and may even require you to sign a contract. 

If you are unsure, consult with your vet. They will be able to recommend which is the best option for your dog, given the situation. 

Overall, it does not seem to matter though. There are some gender-related quirks desexing may prevent. But, the difference between male and female Labradoodles is so slim that it will likely not matter to a lot of people. 

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