Male or female Goldendoodle?
Both male and female Goldendoodles have broadly the same temperament. Goldendoodles of both sexes have the intelligence of the Poodle and the loving affection of a Golden Retriever. Both males and females will strive to please you, are affectionate, and can be smart and energetic.
Some people gravitate toward one sex or another based on past experiences or what they have always had. A person with experience in only male Goldendoodles is more likely to say males are better because that’s what they know.
What people experience when they say that there is a difference in male vs female Goldendoodles are really different personality traits between individual dogs.
Difference Between Temperament and Personality
Temperament is how the breed of dog reacts based on inherited quality - it’s in the genetics that a Goldendoodle is fun-loving and intelligent. Personality traits are what make dogs individuals. Your dog’s personality traits will be specific to them as an individual and be influenced the experiences they have in life – generally unrelated to their sex.
If you are generally fun-loving and play with your dog, they will likely be fun-loving and playful too. If you’re a calm person in a relaxed household, this will likely rub-off on your dog and they’ll spend their time doing calmer activities than if they’d gone to live in an exciting, faster-paced household (although I’m sure they’ll still have their moments!)
Teenage behaviour
Both males and females will go through a teenage phase where they are maturing and you may see some new behaviour. Neither one is more difficult than the other to correct.
Humping - Both male and female dogs may do this and it’s not always sexually motivated - it can be seen during play when excited.
Males may have humping phases around the teenage period. Females may also do this during heat cycles. Redirection and positive reinforcement go a long way - if your dog is overly excited and humping, distract him/her from the situation with a toy or different activity before it becomes an issue.
Marking - Males and females may both enjoy marking their favourite areas more frequently while out for a walk or around the garden.
Are males more likely to be aggressive than a female?
No, Goldendoodles aren’t known to have aggressiveness in either sex.
Are females more affectionate than males?
No, both females and males are very affectionate and lap-up all the tummy rubs and sofa cuddles that are available, both are absolute softies. Males can be just as affectionate and intuitive with emotions, and females are capable of being outdoorsy and athletic.
Are females calmer than males?
No, calmness / excitability is more down to the individual dog’s personality, and influenced by the environment the dog lives in and the training they receive. Goldendoodles are quite an outgoing breed and will generally be interested in what’s going on and want to join in. Sometimes puppies may seem calmer compared to their siblings which could be an indicator of a calmer personality, or it could just be the stage of development that the puppy is at.
Conclusion
It’s not possible for us to know how many boys vs girls will be in a litter before they’re born, so it’s tricky to guarantee a particular sex will be available for you, especially if there are several families already on the reservation list. If you’re open-minded on the sex of your future puppy, you give yourselves more choice of puppies when you come to meet your litter!
If you are looking for particular personality traits, speak to me about this during your Puppy Reservation Consultation and I’ll be able to advise if some litters may be more suitable than others.