Pairing female/male vs female/female

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I have a question about choosing a puppy and gender. It's always said to pair a male with a female whenever possible. Because I had always heard that it made me automatically tell my breeder I was interested in a male first. But is that really the case with Doodles as well, since they are such friendly and outgoing dogs? And because Hattie is so young herself? There are five for me to choose from, three females and two males.My breeder has never done temperament testing before but wants to try it with this litter, so I really don't expect professional results. However, what if the females turn out to be the ones that are Beta dogs and the males are the Alphas? Should I take a female in that case?

[Lynette Main]

I have two Doodle girls and a Doodle boy. I think the girls are both alpha,and Shea wants to be. They let him be sometimes. Thats the way it works in this human family. My husband THINKS hes alpha,but girls,we all know better...

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I honestly didn't worry too much about whether or not Murphy would do better with a male or female. I just wanted to experience a different sex than the one I had already. And I wanted a cuddlier. I relied on my breeder to pick both pups by her having raised them for 8-10 weeks and the temperament testing. You have the added advantage of not only meeting the pups and watching them grow, but having Hattie interact with them as well. Those are both really big in choosing the right pup. I probably would put temperament and Hattie's judgement before the male/female debate. I get around the "good girl"good boy" thing by just saying "good puppy". And I really don't think they know who is the girl and who is the boy. Lol

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Maybe as you develop a relationship with the breeder and puppies and narrow your choices down a bit she will allow Hattie to visit, yes after shots and older. I don't know breeders rules and there may be reasons I am not aware of, but I can't imagine you being the first person to ever ask that your other dogs meet a pup, so she probably has some precedent. But then again, we are talking about sweet sweet Hattie, so she should be allowed to meet the pups regardless. IMO.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

We have 3 doodles living here, Samantha came first, then fostered Mickey who went to live with my daughter & SIL in Pittsburgh and now are living here again, and then Charli joined us. Samantha is alpha - not a bully, she is quiet about her being the Queen. I don't know if it is because Mickey was so needy when he came here from a vile puppy mill and shelter and he sees Samantha as his Momma. Charli was pulled from her Momma when she was app 2 weeks old, came her app 4 weeks later (she had been spayed already) so she might see her as her Momma also. I really don't know how they see her other then she is definitely alpha around here. 

We have had many doodles come through our doors - both friends and fosters. They all treat Samantha the same way except for her boyfriend, Sully (Jeannine's sexy beast of a doodle). She does not 'play' with any other doodles and no one asks her too except for Sully. 

When we had the 8 doodles here for Thanksgiving, there were 4 females and 4 males, and there was none of the same sex 'issues'. Same thing with any other doodles that come over to play or any of the fosters. I don't know why we are lucky not to have to deal with that but we have been.