Goldendoodles: Males or Females?

So you decided to add a Goldendoodle to your family. Congratulations! They are an adorable and energetic Doodle breed that will brighten up your life. As you are narrowing down the search for the perfect puppy, you might ask yourself: Should you get a male or female puppy?

Today we will explore the upsides and downsides of each gender, as well as discuss when you should decide for which one. How will a boy or girl get along with existing dogs in the household? Are females easier to housetrain? Let’s find out!

Is it better to get a male or female Goldendoodle?

It is impossible to say that one gender is “better than the other”. Both male and female Goldendoodles can be a wonderful addition to an active family.

However, some situations work out better for male dogs and others are more suited for female ones. When considering whether to get a male or female Goldendoodle, consider the following points.

Size

Male dogs of any breed will become taller and heavier than female dogs. Goldendoodles are rather tall dogs. They reach about 20-24 inches at the shoulder and weigh 45-65 lbs. (To know the expected size of your Goldendoodle puppy, check out our growth calculator!)

If you want to make sure that your dog is at the lower end of the size spectrum, decide for a female. If you want a dog that is tall and heavy, a male fits the bill.

If you are looking for an especially small Goldendoodle, you should also consider a Mini Goldendoodle or F1b Mini Goldendoodle – these are already at least 10-15 lbs. lighter than the original Goldendoodle.

Other dogs of the household

If you already have another dog in the household, this dog’s gender should play a big role in whether you get a male or female Goldendoodle. Dogs typically get along the best in pairs: a male and a female will be better friends than two males or two females.

Two females, especially two intact females, are the most difficult pairing. They can start to be very reactive with one another and lash out aggressively. If you already have a female dog in your household, it is very advisable to pick a male counterpart for her.

If you already have a male and a female dog, you should still go for a male Goldendoodle puppy. Two males will likely be easier to manage than two females.

Breeding plans

If you are planning on having your own Poodle mix puppies one day, you would want to get a female dog so that you can raise your very own litter! Of course, only commit to breeding if you have done all required health testing (such as hip x-rays through OFA) and have found a healthy and suitable breeding partner for your dog.

Are female dogs easier to potty-train?

There is no difference in how easy or difficult it is to potty-train Goldendoodles of either gender. When you are potty-training your puppy, he or she will be so young (8-16 weeks old) that they have not reached sexual maturity. The typical hormones that distinguish boy and girl dogs have yet to be developed.

How easy or difficult it is to potty-train will be much more determined by how consistent you are, how good your setup is and how well the breeder prepared the puppy for being potty-trained.

Many great breeders already start the potty-training at their house by having a litterbox available for the puppies or taking them out regularly. This will make a much bigger impact on their house training success than whether they are male or female.

Are female Goldendoodles calmer than males?

While we might expect female dogs to be calmer than males based on the assumption that they are “less macho”, the opposite is true for dogs. Females in general tend to be more on edge, more nervous and more reactive than males.

Males, especially once they are neutered, are a lot more laid-back and calm. They tend to be more handler-focused and like food more.

If you are planning to participate in a dog sport such as agility with your dog, getting a female can be an advantage in that they can be higher-drive, have more motivation and more endurance than males. Female Goldendoodles play intensely with toys and will often try harder and longer to succeed at an exercise than a male.

While males like to snuggle and goof off, females are all business!

Do male dogs prefer female owners?

It cannot be said that male dogs prefer female owners. It is equally untrue that female dogs like male owners better. What is explained above about pairs getting along the best only applies to dogs – not dogs and their human counterparts.

Dogs and owners of both genders can get along very well , especially if they are trained with positive methods and the owner spends quality time bonding with them.

Are boy or girl Goldendoodles more popular?

Neither boy or girl Goldendoodles are the most popular gender. Of course, there are about 50% males and 50% females in total, so both genders are prevalent and owned by millions of people wordwide.

With the growing popularity of Doodles, more and more breeders are producing these dogs, letting puppy buyers choose from a wide range of possible puppies. If you have your eyes set on a specific gender, you will surely be able to find a matching puppy.

The Bottom Line

When deciding for a male or female Goldendoodle, consider your plans and goals for your dog as well as your current setup.

Do you already have a female dog? A male Goldendoodle might be the best fit.
Do you want a small and agile dog? A female fits the bill.
Do you want a dog that is cuddly and attached? A male is the way to go.
Do you want to do dog sports such as agility? Females might have higher drive and motivation.

Whichever gender you decide for, we wish you a lot of fun with your new Goldendoodle puppy!