You’ve decided to get a Goldendoodle – how exciting! There’s no doubt that Goldendoodles make a wonderful choice of a family pet, but should you choose a girl or a boy?
You might think that, aside from the obvious, there’s not much variation between the two sexes. However, there are a few slight differences between the sexes that you should be aware of before you decide.
Male vs. female Goldendoodles – what are the gender differences?
Read this guide to find out!
Table of Contents
Male Vs. Female Goldendoodles: What Are The Differences?
Most people have their Goldendoodle spayed or neutered once the puppy is old enough. In fact, many breeders insist that you sign a contract to that effect when you buy your puppy. So, essentially, neither male nor female desexed Goldendoodles are capable of breeding.
Reproductive functions aside, the main difference between the two sexes is in their size. Generally, male Goldendoodles are larger than their female counterparts, standing taller at the shoulder and weighing more.
However, the pros and cons of owning a Goldendoodle of either sex remain pretty much the same.
Overview
Here’s an at-a-glance table showing the main individual differences and similarities between male and female Goldendoodles.
Features
Male Goldendoodle
Female Goldendoodle
Price:
Upwards of $2,000
Upwards of $2,000
Size:
Generally larger than females
Smaller than males
Temperament:
Friendly, outgoing, affectionate
Friendly, outgoing, affectionate
Personality traits:
Varies between individuals but generally loyal, loving, eager to please.
Varies between individuals but generally loyal, loving, eager to please.
Trainability:
Highly intelligent and very trainable
Highly intelligent and very trainable
Behavior:
Can exhibit humping and marking behavior during puberty.
Can exhibit humping and marking behavior during puberty but not as much as males.
Aggression:
Typically non-aggressive, friendly dogs
Typically non-aggressive, friendly dogs
Shedding:
Generally, light shedders, depending on generation and coat type.
Generally, light shedders, depending on generation and coat type.
Health:
Depending on genetics. Un-neutered dogs can suffer from serious reproductive system health conditions.
Dependent on genetics. Non-spayed dogs can suffer from serious reproductive system health conditions.
Male Goldendoodle
Price:
Upwards of $2,000
Size:
Generally larger than females
Temperament:
Friendly, outgoing, affectionate
Personality traits:
Varies between individuals but generally loyal, loving, eager to please
Trainability:
Highly intelligent and very trainable
Behavior:
Can exhibit humping and marking behavior during puberty
Aggression:
Typically non-aggressive, friendly dogs
Shedding:
Generally, light shedders, depending on generation and coat type
Health:
Depending on genetics. Un-neutered dogs can suffer from serious reproductive system health conditions.
Female Goldendoodle
Price:
Upwards of $2,000
Size:
Smaller than males
Temperament:
Friendly, outgoing, affectionate
Personality traits:
Varies between individuals but generally loyal, loving, eager to please
Trainability:
Highly intelligent and very trainable
Behavior:
Can exhibit humping and marking behavior during puberty but not as much as males
Aggression:
Typically non-aggressive, friendly dogs
Shedding:
Generally, light shedders, depending on generation and coat type
Health:
Depending on genetics. Un-neutered dogs can suffer from serious reproductive system health conditions.
Male Vs. Female Goldendoodles Direct Comparison
Now, let’s compare the two sexes side-by-side.
Price
When it comes to price, there’s no real difference between male and female Goldendoodles. In the current market, while demand for this hybrid dog breed is extremely high, you can expect to pay upwards of $2,000 for a Doodle, regardless of its gender.
Teddy Bear Goldendoodles are often more expensive than that, starting at around $3,450. That’s because this breed has an English Cream Golden retriever parent, and these dogs are rarer in the US than American or Canadian Golden retrievers.
However, since most regions require that all dogs are desexed before you can apply for a license, the cost of that must be taken into consideration, as well as the price of the puppy itself.
Generally, the cost of spaying a female Goldendoodle is quite a bit more expensive than that of having a male Doodle neutered. So, if you take that into consideration, it’s fair to say that male Goldendoodles are slightly less expensive than females.
Male Vs. Female Goldendoodles – Size
Male Goldendoodles are typically taller and heavier than their female counterparts.
Goldendoodles come in a variety of sizes, ranging from tiny toy and petite dogs, mini Goldendoodles, to medium and standard sizes.
The size difference between the sexes is more noticeable in Standard Goldendoodles, and males can weigh up to 40 pounds more than females. In the smaller types, the size difference is less.
Temperament
All Goldendoodles have a loving, friendly, loyal nature, which is one of the main reasons for the breed’s enduring popularity. So, whether you buy a male or female Goldendoodle, your pet’s temperament will be the same.
That said, you must remember that the temperament of any dog breed varies between individuals. However, you’ll find your pet is eager to please, affectionate, and great fun to be around, regardless of its gender, making the Goldendoodle an ideal breed for families.
Shelters And Rescues
However, there are a couple of possible exceptions to that rule.
If you adopt an unwanted adult Goldendoodle from a shelter, well done you! However, it’s important to realize that rescue dogs can often have behavioral or temperament issues, simply because of the life they had before.
Often, the rescue will have no idea of the dog’s history, so it’s a case of taking things slowly and building a bond with your new canine friend. Fortunately, it’s not in a Goldendoodle’s nature to be aggressive. And, if your new pet is timid or shy to begin with, it’s usually only a matter of time before he or she comes out of their shell and their true personality emerges.
Puppy Farms
Goldendoodles from puppy farms can be another story. Often, these dogs are raised in very poor conditions, and the parent dogs aren’t screened for health conditions that can affect the breed.
Also, puppies bought from backyard breeders are often not properly socialized, which can cause problems with their behavior around small children and other pets.
So, even though a puppy from an unscrupulous breeder might be cheaper to buy, you could be taking home a whole lot of problems for the future. Therefore, we advise that you always buy your Goldendoodle puppy from a reputable breeder, such as those listed on the Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) website.
Male Vs. Female Goldendoodle Personality
All Goldendoodles have the same basic temperament. However, there can be a few slight differences in individual personalities.
For example, some Doodles love nothing more than to spend hours romping in the backyard in the snow with your kids, whereas others might prefer to settle down at your feet in front of a crackling log fire.
Your Goldendoodle’s personality is generally formed to a certain degree during his formative months. That’s why it’s so important to buy your puppy from a good breeder that takes the time to interact with the furbabies and socialize them properly. Such breeders will gladly make the effort to match you with a puppy that will be the perfect fit for your circumstances and lifestyle.
However, essentially, there are no major personality or behavioral differences between the personality of male and female Goldendoodles.
What About Training Differences?
Although Goldendoodles are generally highly intelligent and trainable, genetics do have an influence on that. Generally, a well-bred Doodle is easy to train, although dogs with more Poodle genes are considered to be more intelligent than those with more Golden retriever DNA in their genetic makeup.
However, it’s true to say that there is no difference in the trainability factor of well-bred male and female Goldendoodles. To get the best results and to make training a fun, rewarding experience for you and your dog, always use positive, sympathetic training methods. That means you must be ready to shower your dog with praise and treats when he or she does the right thing!
“Humping”
Although both sexes can be guilty of this behavior, it’s generally boy dogs who are the worst culprits when going through their teenage phase.
Victims of humping tend to be your dog’s favorite plushy toys, the cushions on your sofa, your leg, small kids, or even visitors to your home! Although it’s not harmful, humping can be embarrassing and it’s really not the kind of behavior you want your furry friend to exhibit, especially in company!
Marking is another annoying behavior that unneutered males tend to do more than females. Your Goldendoodle might pee on his favorite tree or patch of grass in your backyard or even pick a spot inside the house.
Both those behaviors are associated with puberty and when the dog becomes sexually mature. Once you’ve had your pup desexed, humping should cease. In the meanwhile, you can use enzyme cleaning products to clean up any marked areas in your home and discourage your dog from repeating that behavior. Also, a revision of your dog’s house training often solves the problem fairly quickly and easily.
Hormonal Behavioral Issues
It’s common for female Goldendoodles to display some kind of hormonal behaviors when they first come into season. Often, those behaviors are very similar to the humping and marking male dogs exhibit.
My female dog, Jess, became very broody and started cuddling her favorite plushy toy in her bed. One day I noticed that Jess’s nipples were swollen, and she had begun producing milk! I rushed her to the vet in a panic, trying to figure out how my baby dog had become pregnant! It turned out that Jess was experiencing a false or phantom pregnancy, which is common in young female dogs. A simple injection was all it took to return things to normal.
Aggressive Behavior
Goldendoodles are not known to be aggressive.
However, if a female dog is nursing puppies, she might become very protective of her family, which could present as aggressive behavior.
As mentioned above, sometimes shelter dogs or breeding dogs that are rescued from puppy farms can be snappy and aggressive, although that behavior is typically down to fear.
Male Vs. Female Goldendoodle – Shedding
You might have read on the web that female Doodles are heavier shedders than males. That’s an urban myth; both male and female Goldendoodles are equal shedders, and there are no female gender-specific issues related to shedding.
However, if your Goldendoodle has a large proportion of Poodle genes, it will shed less than if the Golden retriever genes are dominant. Generally, straight or wavy-coated dogs shed more than their curly-coated cousins.
Both male and female Goldendoodles need grooming regularly to prevent their fluffy underfur from becoming matted and tangled. If you choose to have your Doodle shaved every month or so at the grooming salon, you’ll still need to brush your dog but he or she won’t shed as much.
Health
The health of every dog is governed to some extent by the animal’s genetic makeup. Dogs from puppy farms and backyard breeders often come with an assortment of medical issues. However, if the puppy is well-bred from parents and grandparents that are free from any hereditary health conditions, the chances are that he or she will live a long and healthy life.
The life expectancy of both sexes is between ten and 15 years.
So, always buy a puppy from a breeder who can show you documentary evidence that both the puppy’s parents have been health-screened by a qualified vet, as per the GANA guidelines.
That said, there are a few differences when it comes to the reproductive health of male and female Goldendoodles.
Females
Female dogs can be affected by certain forms of cancer that can affect the uterus and mammary glands. If undetected, those conditions can prove fatal. The best way to prevent these problems is to have a female puppy spayed after she has had her first couple of heat cycles.
Males
Male Doodles can develop prostate cancer in later life, as well as tumors and cysts affecting the reproductive organs. Some dogs can be prone to bacterial infections of the prostate.
Note that most of those conditions are particularly common in male Goldendoodles that haven’t been neutered.
Spaying And Neutering
As you can see, having your dog spayed or neutered is the best way to prevent health problems that affect the reproductive system. Ideally, you want to get your Goldendoodle desexed as he or she reaches sexual maturity.
In fact, many breeders insist that you don’t breed from their puppies, and you are required to sign a contract to that effect. Under the contract terms, you must have your puppy desexed as soon as he or she is old enough. The idea is to prevent backyard hobby breeding that can result in genetic health problems in future generations.
For more advice on when your puppy should be spayed or neutered, speak to your vet.
What Are The Main Differences And Similarities Between Male And Female Goldendoodles?
As you can see from our comparison, male and female Goldendoodles are very similar.
- Both sexes are friendly, outgoing dogs that love to be around people, getting along well with children, and other pets. That said, individual personalities can vary.
- Both sexes are intelligent and trainable, being quick learners that are eager to please their human family.
- Male Goldendoodles tend to be taller and heavier than female Doodles, especially the larger types.
- Both sexes can be prone to reproductive health issues in later life if not desexed.
- Both sexes are usually the same price.
- Both are light shedders, depending on the amount of Poodle DNA in the puppy’s genetic makeup.
In Conclusion
The biggest difference between desexed male and female Goldendoodles is that males tend to be larger dogs than females. That’s particularly noticeable in the larger types of Doodles where one parent is a Standard Poodle.
Both sexes are friendly, outgoing, energetic dogs that love to be right at the center of a family home. The ideal fit for both male and female Goldendoodles is a home where someone is around for most of the day, as both sexes can become anxious if left alone for long periods. Both sexes are intelligent and highly trainable, needing lots of exercise and human interaction to keep them mentally and physically fit.
Neither sex sheds more than the other, depending on the coat type. Generally, Goldendoodles are pretty light shedders, with curly-coated pups being lighter shedders than those with straight or wavy fur.
We think that both male and female Goldendoodles make wonderful family pets. However, if you want a slightly smaller dog that’s going to cost less to have desexed and is less likely to hump your leg, go for a female!
Based on our guide, would you choose a male or female Goldendoodle as your personal preference? What factors influenced your decision?
We’d love to know your opinion! Tell us your thoughts in the comments box below, and don’t forget to share!
