New with question.. Boy or girl?

[Misti]

Hello all... My husband and I are about to add a mini Goldendoodle to our family.. We go pick put our pup in 2 weeks. Ive been set on getting a boy because I heard they were more loving and have a better temperment but wanted other opinions on this? Is there a big difference between the sexes or no? We want an easy going and loving dog, especially since we have 3 children. Would like to hear everyones opinion on this. Thanks!! :)

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I have always had female dogs for what reason I do not know.  I got my goldendoodle Sasha first and when I wanted a 2 doodle I went with a male labradoodle.  Oliver is my first born son and Iove him to bits.  I really don't think that it is the male/female thing as it it the "general / overall" personality of the dog - just my opinoin !! 

 

When you go to the breeder tell them what personality traits you are looking for so they can let you know what puppies are more calm or have the temperment your are looking for.  They will know the personalities of the puppies.

 

Good luck :)

[Ginny Nightingale]

I wholeheartedly agree that the personality of the pup is more important and has nothing to do with gender--I have raised a whole bunch of puppies and there were loving pups of both genders--doodles tend to be that way to begin with. I have two females and a male and they have different traits but not based on gender. The two girls are opposites in many ways and the male is very much like one of the females (who is also his mom!!) 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree that it's the individual dog. I have a male and female, both loving and with their own quirks and differences.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I have always had female dogs! When I started looking into Labradoodles, I had several breeders tell me they preferred the boy dogs over the girl dogs. Naturally, I selected a girl dog..LOL!! When we got our second, we went with a boy dog and he is our first boy dog ever. I have two great dogs, but I do love that boy personality. Fudge, my female, is very independent and smart and loves all of us, but is definitely my dog.  Vern, our boy, is bigger, goofier, not quite as smart, a bit of a Chicken Doodle, and spreads his affection all around. I think I would use your breeder's expertise in helping selecting the dog based on the personality you are looking for.  Good luck. My DD has two male French Bulldogs and she just knew which one she wanted when she got there.

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

We have a 80 lb doodle boy. He is so loving and sweet. Follows us around. Such a forgiving temperament. Silly and goofy! I have had a female dog before and she was not like this AT ALL! But I think all dogs have their own little personality. However, I will probably always go with a male dog before a female.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I grew up with only female dogs. As an adult I started out with females. Then we wanted a Clumber Spaniel and ended up with a male. It's been boys for us ever since. From our personal experience they have generally been more cuddly. Then we got Owen. He is the most independent dog alive. Sooo that being said, get advice from your breeder and pick the best temperament. Truly... do not concentrate on size, color or coat type. You want a dog that fits into your family. I prefer a rug you can hug. Others want spunky or trainable or whatever suits you. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Congrats!

 

I agree with Laurie, you need to work with your breeder to figure out the right doodle for your family. Male or female doesn't matter so much, all doodles have their own personality. You should decide with your husband what you mean by loving and good temperament and then explain that to the breeder. My Sophie Bear is the most loving doodle on earth but she doesn't cuddle at all. Do you want a cuddly lapdog? one that is excited to meet and greet new people? a dog that likes to get lots of exercise? a couch potatoe? a laid back dog that can easily deal with a hectic household? At the end of the day, there is personality, specific breed charactersitics and needs, and then the rest is up to you - i.e. training. Dogs aren't born with a good temperament, regardless of gender, they acquire their good behaviour through training by their humans. In my non-expert opinion I would think male or female doesn't matter much, except when you chose the colour of the leash, lol.

 

Good luck with your new puppy!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Dogs' personalities, like people's, is not so much dependent on the sex but on the personality and temperament of the individual. Two males from the same litter may have completely different temperaments. If your breeder is experienced he or she should be able to direct you to the puppy that best suits your family and lifestyle.

Have you been able to meet the parents of the puppies and do you know how the puppies are being raised? Are they being handled a lot and do they spend a lot of time with people? More important than the sex of the dog is the right personality match for your family.

Here is some info from Dummies.com about how to select a puppy from a litter to get a match for your family. Tara's breeder selected the pups for people so I didn't need to use this and don't know how accurate it is but it seems to have some good insights.

How to Judge a Puppy’s Personality
By Sarah Hodgson

Each puppy has a discernable personality that can be judged at 7 weeks of age. When you’re choosing a puppy from a litter pay attention to personality type:

Bully: On first glance, the bully may seem overtly social and interactive. You may think “Good, that one has spirit.” However, keep watching. Does she steal the toys from the other puppies, does she play too rough? Does she scale the enclosure or climb on the backs of her littermates as though they don’t exist?

These are sure signs of determination, smarts, and willpower, but you have to decide how those characteristics will mesh into your home life. If you have the time to channel (and challenge) this puppy, take her home! However, if you have other demands on your time and you’re hoping for a puppy to reduce your stress, pass on the bully.

Rebel: Puppies in this group are quick-thinking, fun-loving, and engaging. They hold an equal fascination with toys and play as their bullying brethren, but they’re clearly more sensitive. In fact, the bully and the rebel rouser may be seen playing together with the rebel rouser taking the submissive roll when the bully flexes her muscles (in “Doglish” this may be seen by a belly roll or head pinning).

Rebel rousers are engaging without being too headstrong. This is an ideal temperament for an active person or family with older children.

Independent Thinkers: These puppies tolerate and interact in playful encounters some of the time but are also happy sitting or playing with a toy on their own. Stoic and contained, these independent thinkers seem to have been born with an old soul.

These pups are ideal in a structured home where owners fully respect their sense of self and make a commitment to teach them. Because they’re mindful and alert, these puppies are ideally placed in calm homes, with older or no children.

Eager to Please: This lot is eager to please and is always interested in your opinion. This attitude can lead them to the head of the class or into the doghouse depending on how you play it. If you direct and reinforce good manners, you’ll have 100 percent cooperation. On the other hand, if you try to correct your puppy’s naughty behavior, she’ll see your interaction as a reason to replay it over and over and over.

Because of their trainability, these puppies are wonderful companions, but they can end up on the B list if they don’t receive direction.

Just Chillin’: This relaxed lot beautifully balances play, interaction, and sleep — doing all three on their own time. Perhaps less intelligent than their more active siblings, pups with this personality type simply do what they want, when they want.

These puppies may sound dreamy, but remember, motivating them takes some creativity. They’re not ideal for controlling owners, but they complement a relaxed household and fit beautifully into a home environment with young children, provided the breed is suitable.

Sweetie Pie: Soft-natured and gentle, these puppies are most often seen under the other puppies who are taking advantage of their docile nature. These pups are also passive and eager to please, so their sweetness will be palpable. Within their litter, these puppies stay close to their mother and use her protection as a shield.

This personality is for those owners who prefer doting attention over rigorous training. Puppies with this personality are less likely to roam because staying close to home is a top priority.

Timid: These puppies, who are clearly not born with a strong sense of self, may appear to have been abused, even though it’s more symbolic of their dislocated character than misguided nurturing. When approached, they often creep on their bellies or arch their back in total submission.

Your heart may go out to pups with this personality, but only select this type of puppy if you have the time and patience to devote to fostering their self-esteem.

Regardless of your effort, timid puppies may always be overwhelmed and in need of direction, so they aren’t a suitable choice for families with children.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Great info!

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

I'm not a dog whisperer but I like to play one at home.  You are going to get different answers, different reasons, and different opinions enough to fill Santa's bag.  Me?  Why thank you for asking!  I'm a boy dog fan - always have been and always will.  I have had dogs of both sexes but if it comes down to choosing just one dog, the sex will always be a boy.  The following is an excerpt I found some time ago and it pretty much covers all of my personal beliefs without me having to type something up myself.  Good luck, I DO agree that all dogs have their own personality and only you can choose the perfect dog for you and your family.  Good luck!!!

 

“In the dog pack makeup, females usually rule the roost, determine pecking order, and who compete to
maintain and/or alter that order. The females are, as a result, more independent, stubborn, and territorial
than their male counterparts. The females are much more intent upon exercising their dominance by
participating in alpha behaviors such as 'humping'.

There IS a reason people utilize the technical dog term of 'bitch' in a negative way-and it refers directly to the behaviors exhibited by the females of the dog world. Most fights will usually break out between 2
females. Males, on the other hand, are usually more affectionate, exuberant, attentive, and more
demanding of attention. They are very attached to their people. They also tend to be more steadfast,
reliable, and less moody.  They are more outgoing, more accepting of other pets, and take quicker to children. Most boys are easily motivated by food (how true!!) and praise, and so eager to please that training is easy. However, males can be more easily distracted during training, as males like to play so often. And no matter what age, he is more likely to act silly and more puppy-like, always wanting to play games. Boys are fun-loving until the day they die. Females tend to be more reserved or dignified as they age. Witness the human equivalent of the twinkling eyed Grandpa still playing catch at age 70, while Grandma quietly observes from the porch.

Neutered males rarely exhibit secondary sexual behavior such as 'humping', or 'marking' and lifting of legs. Once the testosterone levels recede after neutering, most of these behaviors (if they ever existed) will disappear. Boys who were neutered early (by 5 months of age) usually don't ever raise their leg to urinate.

While the female will usually come to you for attention, when she's had enough, she will move away while boys are always waiting for your attention and near at hand. Females are usually less distracted during training, as she is more eager to get it over with, and get back to her comfy spot on the couch. The female is less likely to wage a dominance battle with YOU, but she can be cunning and resourceful in getting her own way. She is much more prone to mood swings. One day she may be sweet and affectionate-the next day reserved and withdrawn or even grumpy, also has periods of being 'in heat' unless she is spayed."

 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

REallY? where did you get this? What is the evidence behind all of the claims? Is it researched?

I personally don't believe a word of it. It certainly does not describe my two dogs and I have yet to see these patterns in any dogs I know.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I agree with Sherri--it is totally untrue from beginning to end--as I read it, I thought "but my MALE does that, not the FEMALE" etc --and I had my stud (intact) male Rio's brother here last week and he even though he was neutered he was humping his mom Lyric (Unspayed breeding bitch) like crazy and I had to separate them. Lyric is not even in heat! Rio, on the other hand, never humps anyone--unless momma comes into heat, then he needs to go someplace else!!

My Mattie is a spayed female that humps Lyric any time Lyric is not looking but Mattie is at the bottom of the totem pole around here--so, nothing I have observed fits this description at all...