When choosing a dog, every small trait suddenly seems like a big deal. After choosing to get a Labradoodle, your next step will be to choose the gender. Of course, you don’t have to be set on a gender. (In fact, it may be easier to find the right dog if you aren’t completely set on having a male or a female.)

However, male and female Labradoodles do have some specific differences between them. Therefore, it can be a good idea to at least have some idea of whether you’d want a male or female. Below, we’ll help you figure out which gender is best for you.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Male Labradoodle Overview

Personality/Character

Male Labradoodles are often intelligent, friendly, and affectionate. These dogs love people and prefer to be around their families as much as possible. They’re often rather easygoing, but they can be very energetic, too. Therefore, they do best in active families that can keep up with them.

Temperament is heavily influenced by training and socialization. Therefore, it’s vital to get your Labradoodle socialized from a young age to ensure they’re well-behaved.

Some breeders and owners claim that male Labradoodles tend to be more affectionate. However, others say the opposite. There is no clear difference between male and female Labradoodles when it comes to their personality. Male Labradoodles may have higher testosterone levels than females, sometimes making them rowdier and more energetic, but this tends to fade once they reach adulthood or when they’re neutered.

Training

Labradoodles are often very easy to train. They’re intelligent and eager to please. Therefore, they pick up on commands quickly and are likely to follow those commands in real-world situations. They can even learn complex tasks when trained properly.

Because these dogs are so intelligent, they do need lots of mental stimulation. Otherwise, they can become bored and destructive.

Males may be a bit more stubborn than females. However, the individual differences within this mixed breed are so strong that it’s hard to say for sure. Males may be more prone to marking and humping behaviors if not neutered.

Health and Care

Labradoodles are generally healthy dogs that can live up to 15 years with proper care. However, they may inherit some health issues from their parent breeds, such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, ear infections, allergies, and skin conditions.

They also need regular grooming to keep their coats clean and healthy. Depending on their coat type, they may need brushing every day or every few days to prevent matting and tangles. They also need trimming every 6–8 weeks to maintain their appearance and hygiene.

Male and female Labradoodles have similar health and care needs, but gender may affect some aspects of their well-being. For example, male Labradoodles may be more prone to prostate problems or testicular cancer if not neutered. Neutering your Labradoodle can prevent these issues and also reduce unwanted behaviors such as roaming, aggression, or marking.

Males are not particularly less healthy than females, though.

Breeding

Breeding Labradoodles involves crossing a Labrador Retriever and Poodle together. These dogs aren’t purebred. However, you can get a Labradoodle by crossing two Labradoodles together. When you mix two Labradoodles together, you’re more likely to get more predictable traits.

Male Labradoodles do not carry the largest burden of breeding. The male’s only job is to fertilize the female, which may be done in the traditional manner or through artificial insemination. Either way, the male should be in tip-top condition, even though he won’t actually have much to do with the puppies.

Female Labradoodle Overview

Personality/Character

The female Labradoodle is very similar to the male in terms of personality. They aren’t aggressive and tend to be very welcoming of strangers. They’re known for their friendly nature, which may be the biggest reason they’re so popular.

However, not all female Labradoodles are the same. There are significant personality differences from individual to individual.

Some say that female Labradoodles are more likely to be mature, attentive, and obedient. However, others say the same thing about males. There aren’t any specific personality differences that are set in stone.

Training

Females may be slightly easier to train than males, as they seem to mature faster. They may be less energetic, which makes them easier to control. However, this varies a lot from individual to individual.

A female may have hormonal swings if she is not spayed. Therefore, you may see differences in training performance. Females are less likely to mark or hump. However, that doesn’t mean they never do it, especially if there is a male in the house.

Health & Care

Female Labradoodles are just as healthy as males in most cases. However, they are prone to specific types of cancers that males cannot get. Furthermore, females may be more prone to uterine infections. Health associated with the female reproductive organs will obviously only be a concern for females.

However, if you spay your female, the differences are small.

Breeding

Females must carry the litter of puppies when bred, which puts significantly more strain on their body than the male. Therefore, it’s particularly important for the female to be healthy and in good condition before becoming pregnant. If the female isn’t healthy, the litter of puppies probably won’t be, either.

Females must also get plenty of special veterinary care before and after they become pregnant. Males won’t need this care.

Which Gender is Right for You?

In the end, there isn’t much difference between female and male Labradoodles. Both genders have the same personality traits and health—for the most part.

The only significant differences between these genders are due to reproduction differences. For instance, males don’t carry puppies and don’t have many hormonal shifts throughout the year, and females can get uterine cancer.

However, if you spay or neuter your dog, these differences practically disappear.

Related Reads:

• Human Names for Dogs: Familiar Ideas for New Companions
• Halloween Dog Names: Haunted Options for Your Spooky Pup

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Featured Image Credit: Top – Boys in Bristol Photography, Pexels | Bottom – Janosch Diggelmann, Unsplash