Choosing a Male or Female Poodle? (Pros and Cons)

Poodles are loyal, intelligent, playful family dogs that can make any home happier. There are many types of Poodles to choose from, each falling somewhere in a wide range of sizes and colors.

Once you know what type of Poodle you’re interested in adopting, you’ll need to decide if you prefer a male or female. Read on to learn more about choosing a male or female Poodle and which one is right for you.

What You Need to Know About Adopting Male Poodles?

Male Poodles are playful, affectionate, and eager to please their owners. They bond well with one individual and become extremely loyal to that person.

Male Poodles are known for being extremely playful and affectionate. They need more attention than female Poodles because they want to spend time with their owner. This need for attention makes them lovable but can be challenging to provide if you have a busy or hectic schedule.

You will need to neuter your male Poodle before turning five months old. Poodles that are not fixed by this age can begin asserting their dominance in the house by marking their territory and humping people or items.

There are some concerns about neutering young dogs because it may increase their risk of joint disorders and cancers. However, this study by UC Davis found that smaller dog breeds, such as Toy Poodles, are not impacted by this vulnerability.

What You Need to Know About Adopting Female Poodles?

Female Poodles are intelligent, independent dogs who love to bond with everyone in their new household. They can be more challenging to train than male Poodles because they tend to be more headstrong and stubborn.

It is important to spay your female Poodle to prevent them from becoming territorial or increasing aggression. Spaying can be costly, but it is essential for the health and temperament of your dog.

Female Poodles require less day-to-day attention than their more affectionate male counterparts, but they often require more training. Female Poodles can initially resist obedience training. You may need to spend more time working with them on basic commands when you first bring them home.

Differences Between Male and Female Poodles

Before adopting your new puppy, there are many important differences between male and female Poodles.

Male Vs. Female Poodle Temperament

Male Poodles tend to be more affectionate towards their individual owner than female Poodles. This attachment can make them easier to train as they strive to make their owner happy.

Female Poodles are also affectionate but are more independent and less attached to their owners. While this sometimes makes them slightly more challenging to train, it allows them to bond with more people than just one owner.

Female Poodles also tend to be more territorial and protective of their family and home. This is important to be aware of when choosing a Poodle if they will constantly be interacting with strangers. Even though females can be protective, neither male nor female Poodles are considered aggressive dogs.

Both male and female Poodles will have the playful, eager-to-please temperament we know and love in the breed. Poodles will exhibit a calm character if you train them well and provide them with adequate physical and mental stimulation.

Male Vs. Female Poodle Size

Male and female Poodles will grow to a similar height, but males of the larger breeds will weigh more.

For example, both male and female Standard Poodles will be 18-24 inches tall, but males will weigh 60-70 lbs instead of a female’s 40-50 lbs.

As Poodle breeds get smaller, there is less discrepancy in the weights of male and female Poodles. In fact, Miniature Poodles and Toy Poodles will weigh the same regardless of their sex (15-17 lbs and 4-6 lbs, respectively).

Male Vs. Female Poodle Behaviors

Male Poodles prefer to bond with one individual. Alternatively, female Poodles will connect with everyone in the household rather than attach to one individual person.

Male Poodles are more affectionate than their female counterparts. Female Poodles enjoy spending time with their loved ones but prefer to keep more distance from the group.

Female Poodles are less likely to act out after significant changes, such as bringing home a new baby. They tend to be more adaptable to stressful or changing environments.

Male Vs. Female Poodle Cost

Male and female Poodles usually cost the same amount to purchase from a breeder.

It costs more to spay a female than to neuter a male. Be prepared for this expense before you adopt your Poodle. If you are adopting a puppy that has already been spayed, you may see a higher price to reflect the cost of the surgery.

Male Vs. Female Poodle Training

Male Poodles can be easier to train than female Poodles because they are more eager to please their owners.

Female Poodles can be more stubborn and independent than their male counterparts. This can make it slightly more challenging to train them.

Despite these differences, Poodles are highly intelligent dogs that are easy to train compared to other breeds. You will be able to teach them to follow your commands regardless of whether you choose a male or female Poodle.

Male Vs. Female Poodle Appearance

Male and female Poodles look very similar in their coats and facial structures.

All Poodles will display the characteristic floppy ears and Poodle nose, either long and pointy or teddy bear style. They will also have long necks and long legs.

Both male and female Poodles sport the characteristic low-shedding coat that makes them popular among people with allergies. Poodles come in various colors, such as white, black, silver, beige, brown, cream, gray, and other mixed color coats.

Similarities Between Male and Female Poodles

Some of our favorite characteristics of Poodles remain the same regardless of whether you choose a male or female dog.

Intelligent Easy-To-Train Dogs

Male and female Poodles are both intelligent and easy to train. Bred initially as workers and water retrievers, Poodles are excellent at learning new commands and following them.

Poodles benefit from daily training sessions and exercise. Without proper stimulation, these dogs can suffer from boredom. Boredom in intelligent dogs often leads to misbehavior, especially when left alone for a long time.

The AKC ranks the entire breed at a 5 out of 5 for “trainability.” This means that Poodles are easy to train because they wish to please their owners.

Family Dogs

Poodles make excellent family dogs regardless of their sex. They are very loyal and affectionate with family members of all ages.

Be sure to take special care when adopting a Toy Poodle or other small Poodle breeds into a home with children. Their small size makes them vulnerable to accidental injury caused by playing with children.

Grooming Needs

Male and female Poodles both require significant grooming to remain happy and hygienic. Poodle coats require considerable maintenance by a professional.

Poodle owners generally take their dogs to a professional groomer every three to six weeks. You can also groom your own dog, but this can be more complex and time-consuming than you anticipate.

Poodles also benefit from minor daily grooming, such as wiping their faces with a damp cloth. This prevents discoloration due to discharge from their eyes.

Getting to Know Your Individual Poodle

We have provided you with information regarding the differences between male and female Poodles. However, you should still meet and get to know your new dog before bringing them home.

Most male and female Poodles will fit the characteristics outlined here. Despite these trends, every dog’s personality will be impacted by their individual personality and history.

Make sure to choose a reputable breeder and meet the puppies before deciding which you will bring home to your family. A reputable breeder will allow you to visit with the puppies and provide you with the information you need to find one that is a good match for your personality.

Many breeders will perform temperament and personality tests on the puppies. If yours does this, you will be able to learn more about if your new Poodle is shy, affectionate, outgoing, or reserved. You can also learn this by watching your puppy interact with the other dogs or people around them.

Try to learn all you can about a dog before adopting them from a shelter. This will allow you to properly prepare for bringing your new pal home. Many dogs who have experienced trauma may be more challenging to train or have other difficulties you should be aware of before welcoming them home.

For example, male Poodles may be easier to train than female Poodles, but this may not be the case if you adopt a male Poodle with behavioral issues. If you adopt a Poodle that will be more difficult to train, consider researching the subject or hiring a professional to help.

Wrapping Up

Male and female Poodles differ in their temperament, training needs, and how they bond with their owners. Male Poodles are more affectionate and eager to please than female Poodles. Female Poodles are more territorial, able to connect with more than one person, and better equipped to handle stressful situations.

Despite these differences, Poodles of both sexes are intelligent, easy-to-train, loyal dogs that fit well in any home.