Male vs Female Poodle: What Are The Differences?
If you have decided a Poodle is the right breed for you and you’ve located a reputable breeder, you will now have to decide which gender is best for you. If you don’t already have a preference, you may be wondering if there is even a difference between males and females in terms of overall personality traits and care.
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There are so many factors and considerations when choosing a puppy. Here we will take a look at the differences between male and female Poodles so that you can have a better idea as to which would be right for you.
Visual Differences
Male Pet Breed Overview
Training
Poodles are very intelligent dogs and can be very easy to train. You will see a lot of Poodles as service dogs and therapy dogs for this reason. Males can be easier to train since they are typically more eager to please.
As they are highly intelligent and energetic, it is best to be consistent with training and utilize positive reinforcement. You will want to keep training interesting and reward-based as they love to stimulate their brains. Dedicating time to train your Poodle will only grow your bond stronger. This agile and graceful dog will excel in activities such as water sports, agility, tracking, and obedience.
Personality
Male Poodles are known for being more dependent on their humans and typically bond with one person in the family, rather than the entire group. This does not mean a male Poodle will not love and adore his whole family, he may just favor one particular person but that’s not always the case.
Male Poodles are often more affectionate than females and tend to be more eager to please. Because of this, they are typically easier to train as well. You may notice that males will seek out more attention and can be a bit more demanding of it than females are.
Unaltered males can develop typical male dog habits such as marking their territory, showing dominance over other males, and humping, especially if they are not well trained. If you do not plan on breeding your male Poodle, it is highly recommended you get him neutered as soon as possible to prevent these unwanted behaviors.
Breeding
Male dogs typically become fertile starting around 6 months of age and will reach full sexual maturity within 12 to 15 months. Healthy unaltered males can remain fertile and continue breeding well into old age. If you are interested in becoming a breeder, having the knowledge and education to do so is very important.
Reputable breeders will know their Poodle’s bloodline extensively. Regular health checks and careful breeding to ensure top-quality dogs are vital to the breed.
If you are looking to get a male Poodle as a pet, it is best to look into neutering as soon as he becomes of age. Neutering can prevent many behavioral and health problems. It is best to discuss the process with your veterinarian and be prepared for the expense. The good news is that males are much less expensive to alter than females.
Female Pet Breed Overview
Training
- As mentioned, Poodles in general are extremely intelligent and easy to train. That being said, with females you may find they are more difficult to train than males. Their independent dispositions, stubbornness, and need for dominance can make them more of a challenge.
- You will need to get to know your dog well to figure out a training regime that works for both you and her. These graceful, athletic dogs will of course respond well to positive reinforcement and consistency. Like the males, females will also thrive in agility, obedience, water sports, and many other activities.
Personality
- Female poodles tend to lean more toward the independent side. They do make wonderful companions but are typically not as loving and affectionate as their male counterparts. Don’t expect the female poodle to seek attention in the way that a male does.
- Females can keep more of a distance and may not enjoy being touched and snuggled like a male will. Surprisingly, they can be more territorial, protective, and wary of strangers. Unlike males, they tend to share their love and loyalty with the entire family rather than just one person.
- Due to their independence, they aren’t nearly as eager to please as male Poodles. You can expect your female to display alpha behaviors and assert their dominance. If there are other dogs in the home, a female Poodle will most likely see herself as the boss and will not be shy about displaying her feelings.
Breeding
- Female Poodles can experience their first heat cycle as young as 6 months of age. She can become pregnant as soon as she has her first heat cycle but if you plan on breeding, she should be at least 2 years old before she is bred.
- Some unaltered females will continue having heat cycles their entire lives, while others will have their heat cycles slow down significantly or even stop as they age. It is highly recommended to never breed a female that is older than 6 years of age.
- Producing too many litters can be very detrimental to a female’s health. When a female is retired from breeding, she should be spayed immediately to prevent any accidental pregnancies.
- As with males, if you plan on having your female Poodle as a pet only, it is best to get her spayed as soon as she is of age and preferably before the first heat cycle. Spaying a female is great for their health, as older unaltered females can experience mammary tumors, female cancers, and uterine infections. If you are not a reputable breeder, spaying is the best option.
Is There a Price Difference Between Male and Female Poodles?
- On average a Poodle puppy will cost somewhere between $600 to $2,000 in the United States. Prices will vary depending on the breeder but there is generally no price difference between males and females.
- It is important to find a reputable Poodle breeder and avoid any backyard breeders or puppy mills for both ethical reasons and the sake of the breed. Rescuing is a great option to consider as well. You can search your area for a Poodle rescue and can get matched with the perfect dog for you. Rescues typically come fully vetted and at a much lower cost.
Which Gender Is Better with Other Pets?
- Male poodles tend to be more playful, loveable, and trusting. They are more likely to do better about getting along with other dogs and household pets. Because females are more independent and like to assert their dominance, they may be less likely to tolerate other pets.
- Regardless of gender, early socialization and training are essential for your dog. This will help ensure they know what is expected of them as your companion and can thrive in your home. Properly and cautiously introducing your dog to other dogs and animals at a young age will help interactions be much more successful.
Which Gender Is Right For You?
Now it is time for you to decide which gender will work best for you. As you now know, male and female Poodles have some pretty significant differences. Keep in mind that each dog is different and when you bring a puppy home, their training and socialization can truly help shape them into the dog they become. Both male and female Poodles have some wonderful traits and in the right environment, can make wonderful pets.
Important Considerations in Choosing a Male or Female Poodle
When buying a poodle, there are several things you need to consider besides just the sex of the puppy. Even though on average, males and females do show some differences in personality, they all have particular care needs.
- A bored poodle creates an unhappy owner. Poodles must be kept active both physically and mentally. Obedience training, agility training, playing games can all help keep your poodle happy, healthy, and prevent them from finding destructive or mischievous ways to entertain themselves. This is true, regardless of the sex of the dog. Boys do tend to be more focused on their owners. But even the most affectionate male will get bored while you are at work.
- Poodles can have weepy eyes that resulted in stained hair surrounding their eyes and face. To help with this, their faces can be gently wiped down daily with pet wipes or a washcloth dipped in warm water.
- Poodles that are not properly trained will often come to believe they are the alpha dog of the family. The smaller the dog, the more likely this is will occur. By teaching your dog obedience skills and manners, you are showing them that you are the leader of the pack, the alpha dog. Remember, this is especially true of females poodles who tend to exert dominance more than males.
- Owning a poodle is a commitment of time or money to meet their grooming needs. Most poodle owners have their dogs professionally groomed every three to six weeks. Poodles have coats that require lots of upkeep to stay beautiful and healthy. Some people learn to groom their dogs. Although this saves money, it can be very time-consuming.
- Poodles can be prone to specific health and temperament problems. Always buy your poodle, or any dog, from a reputable breeder. They will test for genetic diseases and check for temperament problems prior to putting any puppy for sale.
Children and Poodles
Poodle, both males, and females can be a wonderful companions for children. Care needs to be taken with Toy Poodles as they are the smallest, most delicate variety of the breed. Children can easily break one of their bones or seriously injure them without meaning to if they are not properly supervised.
Children need to be taught how to approach and interact with all dogs, but especially one that is in your home. Children should be taught to never approach a dog that is eating or sleeping. They should never take a dog’s food away. Children should never be left unsupervised with a dog, no matter how friendly.
Final Thoughts
Poodles are extremely intelligent dogs that can be a great addition to any family. With proper care and training, they can add love, laughter, and fun. Males and female poodles are easy to train, protective, and enjoy interacting with people.
In many ways, they are more alike than different. However, it is crucial to know the differences to make sure you purchase the right puppy for you.
