Is a male or female Maltipoo better for you? What are the differences between the two? These are all important questions to ask before committing to one for the next several years.
In this article, I will go over the differences between male and female Maltipoos so that you can figure out which one is the best for you. These include physical differences as well as differences in temperament. We’ll also go over some misconceptions about the different genders of dogs in general and what happens when you desex your Maltipoo.
Related: How Much Does a Maltipoo Cost? | Maltipoo Temperament Guide
Male vs Female Maltipoo Summarized
| Male Maltipoo | Female Maltipoo | |
| Size | Bigger (about 10%). | Smaller. |
| Grooming | Regular care. | May require additional hygiene grooming. |
| Reproductive Season | May be attracted to females in season even some distance away. | Regular bleeding can make a mess. Season and associated behaviors are predictable. |
| Health Issues | Prostate and testicular issues possible. | Ovarian and uterine issues possible. More susceptible to UTIs. |
| Energy Levels | Higher for longer. | Higher until maturity. |
| Dominance | No difference. | No difference. |
| Trainability | No difference | No difference. |
Physical Differences of Male vs Female Maltipoos
The physical differences between male and female Maltipoos are not all that noticeable. But their physical differences are also the most likely to influence which gender you decide is best for you. So, let’s go over them first.
Size
The size of male and female Maltipoos – and really all dogs – can differ a small amount. Male Maltipoos will be slightly bigger than females most of the time, even if they have the same parents.
This means that if you are looking for a slightly bigger Maltipoo you will be better off choosing a male. Alternatively, if you want a Maltipoo that is as small as possible because of limited living space or just personal preference then consider the females of the smallest size.
To make sure that the Maltipoo that you are getting really is the size that you want, ask your breeders about the male and female dogs that they have had in previous litters.
Health Issues
For the most part, the health issues that Maltipoos are more prone to are independent of gender. However, there are some issues that are definitely only possible in one gender or the other. These issues largely pertain to their reproductive and urinary systems.
For example, male Maltipoos are more likely to suffer from testicular and prostate issues. Females will be more prone to issues relating to the ovaries and uterus.
Female Maltipoos also suffer from urinary tract infections more often. The hormonal changes that result from desexing a female Maltipoo too early can also lead to them becoming incontinent.
Going Into Season
Male Maltipoos do not go into the season. Females do. This often leaves a very big mess for you, as the owner, to deal with.
If you are not going to desex your female Maltipoo before they reach maturity this is definitely something that you need to take into account.
If this is the case and you have yet to experience a female dog going into the season, perhaps a male would be better.
Temperament Differences of Male vs Female Maltipoos
A lot of the differences in temperament between dogs can more often be attributed to how they are raised, rather than their gender. However, as your male or female Maltipoo reaches adolescence their bodies will be filled with different hormones, which may cause one gender to act a certain way slightly more often than another, or for a slightly longer period than the other.
This has led to a lot of misconceptions that some behaviors are directly related to gender. This is just not the case. Let’s look at how gender can actually influence the behavior of your Maltipoo, and whether or not these issues can also be attributed to their environment.
Energy Levels
Energy levels are definitely affected by gender, but not in the way you might think. All Maltipoos are particularly energetic before they reach maturity. The difference is that female Maltipoos reach maturity a little bit earlier than males.
This means that males can sometimes be misconceived to be uncontrollable compared to females. But the reality is that they are just in their puppy/ teenage years a little bit longer.
Once they are fully grown, there is no evidence to suggest any real difference between the energy levels of males and females.
Rather, the environment that your dog has grown up in can influence how easily they relax and how much exercise they enjoy.
Dominance
Males are often thought to be far more dominant than females. People often worry that, if they get a male Maltipoo or any other dog, they will mark their territory or dominate their other animals.
However, both males and females participate in the same amount of territory marking. Females have even been known to hump other animals.
This is a natural instinct for Maltipoos and dogs in general. As long as you consistently discourage it, and take the time to train your Maltipoo, you can correct the behavior, regardless of their gender.
Trainability
Are females really easier to train than males, or is that an old wives’ tale? This one is definitely a myth.
Yet again, this boils down to when your Maltipoo matures. Females calm down faster, which means they may be able to focus more easily sooner. But males can be equally easy to train.
It all boils down to what your dog knows. If you only start training your Maltipoo at six months old they won’t be used to it. If you start earlier, they will know what you want them to do more easily and will be more cooperative with training in general.
Reproductive Behaviors
If your female Maltipoo goes into season, she might try to get out of your house in an effort to reach a male. However, her attempts to escape can be easily controlled as it is rather obvious when a female comes into heat.
Male Maltipoos, on the other hand, do not experience a season of their own but will try to escape if they are able to pick up on a female in season. Some may argue that the efforts the males put in to reach the females are even more intense, but there have been no conclusive studies done on this.
In my opinion, however, females are far easier to keep contained simply because of the predictability of their escape. You might have no idea that your neighbor four or five roads down has a dog going into the season. By that logic, males will also try to escape more often; every time a nearby female goes into season rather than just their own season like the females.
Difference Between Desexed Male and Female Maltipoos
As long as you desex them before they mature, there is little noticeable difference between male and female Maltipoos.
Males will be smaller when they mature because of the lack of certain hormones and indistinguishable from females. Neither gender will show dominant behavior etc.
If you leave desexing until after maturity, you run the risk of pregnancy in your female if there are unneutered males nearby, which can cause drastic physical differences in her. If you wait to desex your male until after maturity, their size difference will become apparent.
It is also important to note that certain issues such as dominance, regardless of your Maltipoo’s gender, may be influenced by hormones that can be removed by desexing.
Desexing can also remove the likelihood of certain gender-specific diseases occurring. This is largely because the relevant organs are completely removed, thus no longer posing any threat.
Related Reading:
- How Big Will a Maltipoo Get? Maltipoo Size and Weight Guide
- Maltipoo Generations Explained: F1, F1b, F1bb, F2, F3, Multigenerational
- Maltipoo Coat Types and How to Care for Them
- Are Maltipoos Hypoallergenic: Do They Shed?
- Maltipoo Exercise Requirements for Health and Happiness
- Maltipoo Lifespan Guide: How Long Do Maltipoos Live?
