When deciding on the newest addition to your family, you probably spend a lot of time considering all of the different factors that could impact your puppy’s personality, health, behavior, and more.
One of the key influences when it comes to these things is gender.
There is no wrong answer here, but there are some key differences between the genders to take into consideration. So, read on to find out everything you need to know about male vs female Cavapoos.
NOTE: For the purposes of this article, we’ll be making the assumption that you’ll take your Cavapoo puppy to be spayed or neutered at the appropriate age recommended by your local veterinarian.
Males and females both live for the same amount of time on average, and any health problems they do face are less about whether they are a male or female Cavapoo and more about their DNA and environment.
However, it is important to remember that spaying and neutering your dog can decrease the risk of the few health problems related to dogs’ reproductive systems.
This all being said, you can never be too careful when it comes to the health of your dog. That’s why I always recommend Cavapoo owners invest in quality pet insurance so that they’re never caught off guard by expensive medical bills and can ensure their dog receives the best care in the event of an unexpected emergency.
On average, female Cavapoos are about 10% smaller in both height and weight than males. This size difference will be less apparent, however, in Cavapoos than other breeds, because they are already fairly small dogs.
This means that if you have your sights set on a small breed for your family, you can have your pick of the litter without much thought about gender.
It’s also important to note that Cavapoo size can vary from dog to dog, and there is always the chance that you could end up with an unusually large or small puppy.
It is normal for a Cavapoo’s weight to fluctuate slightly throughout their lives, and you may even notice that female puppies seem larger than their male counterparts. This is because females reach maturity faster than males, so there is a brief period of size difference before males can “catch up.”
Does Gender Influence Grooming & Coat Type?
Gender doesn’t affect the type of coat your Cavapoo is born with.
When it comes to male vs female Cavapoos, the only difference you will see in their coat will be based off of how much poodle or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel DNA they have.
I always recommend the Chris Christensen Baby G Slicker Brush when it comes to keeping Cavapoos mat-free. It was built to tackle the toughest coats and leave them looking their best, making it well worth the price.
Whenever discussing the differences between male Cavapoos vs female Cavapoos, you’re likely to end up on the topic of two rather undesirable behaviors—humping and territory marking.
However, you should note that, although these behaviors are typically associated with males, they are exhibited by both male and female dogs.
Cavapoo Territory Marking
It’s normal to assume only males exhibit this behavior, but this isn’t the case. Females will mark their territory just as often as males, with the only difference between these acts being how they do it. Females will usually squat to pee whereas male typically lift their leg.
Neutering a male Cavapoo can dissuade this behavior, and it’s even been reported that males who are neutered early often prefer squatting to pee, much like female dogs.
Cavapoo Humping
Humping is a behavior every dog owner deals with at some point, but it isn’t a problem just for male dogs.
Although humping is usually considered a sexual behavior, it is also often during play by both genders, or used to assert dominance over other dogs.
Neutering and spaying can help to physiologically discourage these patters, but they can also be fairly easily trained out of your Cavapoo puppy.
Male vs Female Cavapoo Personality Differences
A very common belief about male vs female Cavapoos is that females are gentler and clingier, while males are more aggressive and independent.
It is true that there are some studies to back up this belief, but generally both veterinarians and scientists will tell you that a dog’s behavior has more to do with where and how they’re raised than their gender.
You might find that a male Cavapoo is quieter and more timid as opposed to his outgoing and wild female littermate. Puppies come with their own unique qualities and personality that only grow to match any loving family.
Statistics about the differences in behavior should be taken with a grain of salt, as no two dogs are the same. As long as your heart is set on caring for your new Cavapoo, you and your family will be happy with your choice, regardless of their gender!
