Male or Female, What Suits my Family?
What you need to know to choose a dog gender that best suits your family.
The Basics
In each litter there are various personalities present. We work with the puppies 0-8 weeks to identify each individual personality, foster development and place the puppy with the right family. We follow a guide dog assessment test to follow the puppies personalities, build confidence where needed and work with them.
Families are always asking about an Alpha (that they want one or don't want one). If the breeder is working with the puppies daily and mom is involved there is rarely an alpha in this breed. Well, to be honest, each hour there is one puppy that might think it is control of the others, but shortly that one is knocked down by another and control shifts throughout the entire litter constantly through out the day.
Some puppies like to be in control more than others, if that is the case, we recommend that puppy does not go to a house with another adult dog or cat that is an alpha in the house. Alpha's typically develop once home as families do not take control as much as they may need. Two dominant personalities (just as humans) typically "work" it out, but it is a major stress on the people in the family for a week or so.
So, is the dominant labradoodle puppy typically a male or female? This is always breed specific and in this breed the more dominant personalities tend to be the girls.
Gender Neutral
What is the difference between a male and female labradoodle? I find gender to be almost neutral. Of course, this assumes the dogs are spayed or neutered at an early age (8 to 24 weeks). We do not sell breeding dogs, only spay/neutered pets. If I had to make a general statement I would say neutered Australian Labradoodles boys are a bit more easy going natured and up for anything then the spayed females who are, although just as wonderful, a bit more specific in their nature.
Male Labradoodle / Australian Labradoodle
An early neutered male is as loving, cuddly and kind as any outgoing "go with the flow" dog. If the male is not neutered early and its testicles drop, it typically becomes a dog that will have more of a mind of its own. This instinct tends to overpower the family member calling the dog to come; it will come but hesitates or plays that come and get me game. We recommend strongly that males be neutered early, as early as 8 to 16 weeks. Neutering removes the possibility of the male ever entering its time of confrontation, asserting its manliness and results it a great, loving, listening dog. The neutered male dog also seems to have less separation anxiety than a female and be more open to new experiences. An early neutered, trained male is a fantastic labradoodle, 100% wonderful open and ready for anything!
Two Males?
Two neutered males in the same household (in this breed) will typically get along famously. We highly recommend two males IF you are looking to add a second Labradoodle to your home.
Female Labradoodle / Australian Labradoodle
Most females are great right off. However, some females tend to be the opposite of the alpha...shy. We again identify this trait and work on socializing and building confidence as much as possible with positive new experiences. However, this dog can sometimes become the dog that pees when a new experience occurs, excited urination. This requires some work for the family and tends to have the family do the opposite than what is required, they keep the dog away from new experiences than just bite the bullet and taking them everywhere for a safe fun new experience. A trained female that has had many new safe experiences is a fantastic labradoodle, 100% wonderful open and ready for anything!
What to choose?
So, my advice: Choose a dog gender that suits your family profile, talk to the breeder as to other pets you have in the house, family activities, what training you will do, and what experience you want the dog to participate.
I would make a different recommendation to the retired owner that wants a pet to hang out in the house, versus the agility training, outgoing boating dog. If the gender matches the traits available in the litter great, if it does not have an open mind. Make the decision by asking the breeder what puppies in the litter they recommend for your family needs and selecting from those. If three puppies suit the bill then look at gender preference, color and physical traits. To me, personality fit should be the number one priority.