Male vs Female Goldendoodle: What’s Best?

We started the new year with a new Godendoodle puppy! We now officially have both a male Goldendoodle and a female Goldendoodle.

Now that we're raising another puppy, I had to break out my puppy supplies again. I also found some new useful supplies I share on this list, to include what I used for Byrdie.

I had already forgotten how much work puppies can be!

Kai is a male Goldendoodle, and Byrdie is his new sister! Even though they're biological siblings and share the same mom and dad, we're already seeing they aren't much alike at all! When we decided to get a new puppy, we began to think about choosing a male vs female Goldendoodle puppy. Which would be a good fit for our household? So I did a little research on the similarities and differences of a male vs female Goldendoodle. Ultimately, we decided on a female puppy. In this article, I'm sharing everything I learned to help us decide on the best choice for us. 

Male vs Female Goldendoodle Comparison 

A Goldendoodle is a hybrid dog breed that is a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. Goldendoodles are typically intelligent, social, highly affectionate, and friendly dogs. They are adaptable to most environments and are moderately energetic. Generally speaking, male and female Goldendoodles are more similar than they are different. But, there are a few things to think about when choosing between a male or female.  While one gender is not better than the other, it’s helpful to understand what to expect with each. The information below helped us decide on the best fit for our household.

Physical Differences Between a Male vs Female Goldendoodle 

At first glance, when looking at a male vs female Goldendoodle, each has a similar overall appearance. However, there are slight differences in the build and physique of each gender. Size is one of the most notable differences between male and female Goldendoodles. Males are typically larger, taller, and heavier than females. When full-grown, males usually have broader shoulders, larger bones and bigger muscles.

The size difference between genders is more noticeable in standard size Goldendoodles than with smaller sized Mini Goldendoodles. As with most other dog breeds, a male is usually about a 10% larger dog than a female Goldendoodle. Standard male Goldendoodles can weigh between 65 and 75 pounds. Female Standard Goldendoodles can weigh between 55 to 65 pounds. When it comes to height, a male Goldendoodle ranges between 23 and 24 inches tall. A female Goldendoodle may range from 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall.

Female Goldendoodles Are Full Grown Earlier

Keep in mind that females tend to achieve their full grown size earlier than males. While they may grow larger at an earlier age, the majority of females end up smaller at full maturity. Remember, 10% is the average size difference between a male or female Goldendoodle. Not all female Goldendoodles are smaller than male Goldendoodles. While it's possible for a female Goldendoodle to be larger than a male, it’s just not as likely. The physical differences of a male Goldendoodle are not as obvious until he reaches his full-grown height and weight. In terms of size, the main differences between a male vs female Goldendoodle can be something to think about if you have young kids or live in a small space. If you're looking for a smaller sized Goldendoodle, you may want to consider a female Goldendoodle or a mini Goldendoodle.

Health of a Male vs Female Goldendoodle

When it comes to health concerns, the key differences between the health issues of male and female Goldendoodles have to do with with their reproductive systems. Overall, both male and female Goldendoodles may experience the same general health issues. Essentially, both males and females are equally healthy and have the same life expectancy. However, each gender may experience its own unique health problems.

Both male and female Goldendoodles have an equal risk of developing issues with their reproductive organs. A male Goldendoodle may be vulnerable to prostate cancer. They may suffer from bacterial infections in the prostate area, or tumors in their reproductive organs. A female Goldendoodle may experience uterine or mammary gland cancer. To avoid some of these reproductive health problems, it’s a wise to have your Goldendoodle spayed or neutered at the earliest time recommended by your vet. 

Pet Health Insurance & Puppy Health Screening

Both male and female Goldendoodles are equally likely to experience illness or an accident. For this reason, it’s a good idea to invest in pet insurance as soon as possible. With pet medical bills in the thousands of dollars, you’ll be glad you have it if something goes wrong. Read more here about deciding if you should purchase pet health insurance.

A Goldendoodle that comes from a responsible breeder should have parents and grandparents who are free of genetic health issues. This is why it's important to choose a reputable breeder who will provide proof of health screening of the puppy's parents.

The Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) has outlined health screening requirements here.

Behavioral Differences of a Male vs Female Goldendoodle 

Teenage Behavior

During the teenage stage of your puppy, it is important to pay attention to certain behavior, especially with male dogs. Male dogs tend to go through marking and humping phases as they mature. They might mark various areas in the house or frequently mark spots when out for a walk. This happens more often when male dogs aren’t neutered. Unless a dog has a health problem, spayed or neutered dogs will usually only mark outside.

Prevent Bad Habits

Males who are not neutered may develop a continued habit of marking indoors. Female Goldendoodles may also show marking behavior, but this usually occurs less than with a boy dog. Keep in mind, humping isn’t always a sexual behavior. Dogs also do this when playing with other dogs to show dominance. This is something that you can easily work on when training your Goldendoodle. While this is completely normal behavior, it can become a nuisance in some dogs. Proper training and positive reinforcement is important to redirect your Goldendoodle’s behavior and prevent it from becoming a regular habit.

Territorial and Protective Behavior

Male Goldendoodles in the teenage phase are developing their territorial instincts. This is why males begin to mark as they develop and grow. By the same token, female Goldendoodles tend to become more protective as they would with a litter of puppies. For this reason, dogs of opposite genders usually make better companions. 

Personality Differences Between a Male vs Female Goldendoodle

No matter the breed, many pet owners assume that the behavior patterns and temperaments of male and female dogs are different. Many people generally believe that female dogs are more friendly, less aggressive, and easier to train. New puppy parents often assume that males are more high strung and aggressive than females. While there may some elements of truth in these beliefs, this is not true in reality.  As long as Goldendoodles are spayed or neutered in a timely manner, there are usually no obvious differences in temperament. 

Goldendoodles of Both Genders Are Typically Kind and Gentle

Both male and female Goldendoodles have friendly and loving personalities. Females are not always calmer than males, and males are not always more aggressive. The kind and gentle nature of a Goldendoodle is true for both genders. Behavior has more to do with a dog’s environment and its individual personality. The fact that it’s male or female does not change that. It’s important to realize that all dogs have their own unique traits. Some are more independent, some are more reserved, while others may be more high energy.

Good Breeders Have Insight Into a Puppy's Personality

It’s not always easy to see personality traits in a young puppy. After all, they're not fully formed yet! If you’re choosing a puppy from a breeder, you may want to ask the breeder to help you identify a puppy from the litter. This will help you find one that is most likely to fit what you're looking for. A good breeder should have good insight into the individual personalities of the puppies. They should be able to guide you based on what temperament and family needs you've shared. Keep in mind, most good breeders wait to assign puppies until they are several weeks old. This allows their temperament and personality to shine through a bit. However, it's helpful to understand that individual personality traits may still not be obvious.

Keep in mind that temperament and personality will vary from dog to dog, regardless if it's male or female. This is especially important to rememeber if you're adopting a Goldendoodle from a shelter. Dogs rescued from shelters may have been abused in the past. Abused dogs can develop aggressive behavior out of fear and self-defense.

Goldendoodle Puppies Are Work!

Long-time Goldendoodle owners agree that if properly trained and given plenty of love and affection, either a male or female Goldendoodle can be a wonderful companion. Males are super affectionate and intelligent. Some owners say they notice females may have a bit more alpha personality than male dogs. But, if you only have one dog, this wouldn't be an issue. Whether or not you are getting a Standard or a Mini Goldendoodle, remember that as they grow, puppies are like toddlers and can be rambunctious. You can teach them not to jump or be pushy, but it will take time. Know you will have a few incidents before a puppy really learns. Remember, normal puppy behavior doesn't mean you have a bad dog. As long as you have patience, a Goldendoodle puppy will give you hours and hours of love and laughter.

Training a Male vs Female Goldendoodle 

Perhaps one of the best qualities of Goldendoodles is their intelligence. For this reason, both male and female Goldendoodles are very trainable. Neither gender is more favorable or intelligent than the other. When it comes to ease of training, there is no difference between the two genders. Some people assume that males are more difficult than females, or that females are calmer. This couldn't be further from the truth. Both males and females are smart and eager to please their humans.  While temperament varies from dog to dog in any breed, this is not a gender-based difference.

Typically, Goldendoodles have a friendly personality and make great family dogs. Again, their personality does not change based on gender. Goldendoodles are obedient, active, dogs that love attention. They are an excellent choice for dog parents who will give them plenty of attention and exercise. While there are subtle differences between a male vs female Goldendoodle, that does not impact the overall temperament of a dog. Also, because females mature more quickly, males may have a longer puppy stage. This is something to keep in mind when it comes to puppy training. As a result, many female Goldendoodle puppies can be easier to train when it comes to obedience and basic commands than male Goldendoodles. That doesn't mean you should choose a female for that reason alone. No matter what, deciding between a male or female dog really ends up becoming a matter of personal preference.

Male vs Female Goldendoodle: Which Is Best With Other Dogs? 

If you already have another dog, the gender of a new dog can be important when deciding on adding a new family pet to your household. If you have an existing dog in the house, some experts recommend that a new dog be the opposite sex. For instance, adding a new male to an existing male and or having two females together could cause some aggression. This is not the best situation for you, or the dogs. So, if you already have a male dog at home, you may want to get a female Goldendoodle. Similarly, if you already have a female dog, a male dog may be the better choice for your next pet. 

Since Kai is a male, this was our main reason for choosing a female puppy to add to our household. 

Common Questions When Choosing Between A Male vs Female Goldendoodle 

Which is better, a male or female Goldendoodle?

Both male and female Goldendoodles are equally good choices. One is not better than the other. The best choice depends on if you have other dogs and your personal preferences. Both male and female Goldendoodles are intelligent, affectionate and easy to train. If you have an existing dog at home, it could be better if your new Goldendoodle is the opposite gender. Males and females tend to do better together than two males or two females.  

Are female Goldendoodles calmer than males?

This is a common misconception. Female Goldendoodles are not calmer than males. This has more to do with individual personalities and environment rather than gender. When it comes to training, both genders are intelligent and eager to learn. 

Are male Goldendoodles aggressive?

Both male and female Goldendoodles are intelligent dogs with friendly, loving temperaments. One gender is not more aggressive than the other. Individual personality traits and environment are more important factors that can lead to aggressive behavior. Also, some Goldendoodles are more affectionate, while others are more independent.   

Does spaying/neutering improve the behavior of male or female Goldendoodles? 

Many dog parents assume that neutering males changes their behavior. Most people don't have that same belief when it comes to spaying females. However, many people don’t realize that a female in heat can often become more territorial and protective than a male dog. As far as behavior change, spaying and neutering is about the same for both male and female Goldendoodles. It’s more about what you’d rather deal with. 

So which is better? A male or female Goldendoodle?

All in all, there isn't much difference between a male vs female Goldendoodle. Now that I have a boy and a girl Goldendoodle, I can confidently say that regardless of gender, Goldendoodles are friendly, smart, and loving dogs. It really comes down to personal choice. Some pet parents are partial to one gender over the other. While some people may prefer male dogs, others may be more accustomed to having female dogs. Whatever you choose, it’s most important to take into account each dog’s unique and individual personality. You may have some valid reasons for choosing one gender over the other, such as if you already have a dog in your family. It really comes down to personal preference . The most important thing is to make sure your new dog fits with your lifestyle and gets along well with any existing dogs you already have at home. 

Ultimately, we decided to have a male and a female Goldendoodle. As Byrdie grows, I'll let you know how it goes! I hope this brother and sister duo become great companions!