Who's More Affectionate...Male or Female Doodles?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I had always heard breeders say that male dogs are more affectionate than females, but I had only ever had females, so I had nothing to compare them to. Now that I have Jack, I'm thinking the rumors are true. I know some of you have at least one of each, so tell us...who are the biggest "lovers"...the boys or the girls?

[Patty Barnes]

Good question. My boys and girls are equally affectionate; however, my girls are more clingly. My boys are simplier and less complicated.

[Marcia Stevens]

I think our little boy is more affectionate than our girl..he is a snuggle bug, but our girl will be affecionate on "her" terms........he's willing to snuggle 24/7....no matter what he's doing...

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Blake is a real "momma's boy"......My female Lab that I had for 14 years before Blake was a real lover girl too but our relationship was less "incestuous"..lol...

[20xlhzzaoccks]

I had a female poodle growing up and the male labradoodle that I have now is a lot sweeter and friendlier to everyone in general. He loves to cuddle and take naps in the bed with me. I have also noticed when I go to the dog park that for the most part the male dogs are friendlier towards everyone and the females seem to be a bit shyer and stay closer to thier owners. I know this is a generalization and isn't true for every dog of course.

[Richard Crowe]

If Holly were any more affectionate, we would have to carry her in our poclets. She wants to be near us always, touching us whenever she can.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What also made me think to ask this question was a rescue situation that IDOG was involved in over the past few weeks. A group of horribly neglected, terrified puppies had been abandoned & living on their own for weeks. They were absolutely wild and terrified of any human contact when they were rescued. Now that they are settled into their very special foster homes, it is already apparent that the males are more outgoing and accepting of contact with people than the females. Very interesting...it seems the opposite of people, doesn't it?

[Stephanie]

I wouldn't necessarily say MORE effectionate, but effectionate with more people definitely. From all the information that I've read, males, in general, are more loving, give more cuddles, and are more excepting/friendly with ALL people. Females on the other hand usually choose just ONE person and that is who they are attached to...they tie themselves to just one family member, although still loving towards others...but the not the same way males are. Males want to please anyone and everyone... so in turn they tend to be more loving, caring, obedient, etc. with all family members.

We had a female lab and then a male golden while I was growing up...and this seemed to be true in our family.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for pointing out this distinction, Stephanie; I had not thought of it, but I think you're on the money. I guess we could say that females are more discriminating than males about who they give their affection to.
LOL- just like people?

[1v200f3rbrnxk]

i've always had male dogs till now
PEANUT is the 1st female i've ever had

Max and peanut are both equally and extremely affectionate......they tie! :)

[2ngdn4puh7oiq]

I vote for Males because that's what we have, but the breeder said with Doodles, there isn't a difference. Of our 2 boys, one is extremely affectionate and the other is highly co-dependent, yet not too affectionate. We think when he ages, he'll get more snuggly. Right now, he just has too many things to see and do and can't be bothered with being still long enough to accept petting.

I've had female dogs before and I'm now sold on the boys. Now, if this were about cats, Males are the hands down winner.

[2ngdn4puh7oiq]

FYI, here is Murphy...when he's in the passenger seat, he insists on putting his paw on my shoulder.
We were driving to Santa Fe and he insisted on sitting in Kim's lap in a good part of the way. He's HUGE too! He just curled right up. He uses his face paws to touch and pull our hands towards him.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh Mary, that last one...could there be anything more adorable? That photo is an illustration of the word "affectionate"!