What’s the Difference Between a Boy & Girl Golden Retriever?
A lot of people ask about the differences between male and female English Cream Golden Retrievers when it comes to training and behavior. This question is important, and we have dedicated considerable thought and time to find the answer. As unique breeders, we train all of our pups, giving us more experience than most others. While breeders often let their puppies go home before showing their personalities, we keep our pups longer and spend hundreds of hours with each one. You can find a unique personality description for every puppy on their sale page.
Having trained over 500 English Golden Retrievers in the past decade, we have a strong “case study” for this. Our dedicated staff of experts specializes in the English Golden Retriever breed. The following information may not apply to all other breeds or even American Golden Retrievers, but we are confident in what we have found for English Golden Retrievers.
Common Myths About Male vs. Female English Goldens
The first myth we want to debunk is that there are major personality differences between males and females. Some claim that males are more loving or females are more laid back, but we have not noticed a definite trend in gender-based personality traits. We have had extremely loving females and independent ones as well. However, there are a few other differences that you should consider, which we will discuss below.
The second myth is that male Goldens have issues with “marking” or “humping.” This is almost never the case, especially if you are not breeding. If you plan on neutering your male and have no females in heat with another male nearby, then you will not have to worry about marking in your house or yard. Most of our male Goldens will squat to urinate their entire lives and are not prone to leg-humping like some other breeds.
So What Are The Differences Between The Male and Female English Golden?
There are a few differences between the genders that are important to point out. These differences are based on our extensive research, and while there may be others, these are the most notable over the years.
The first difference is mental maturity. Females mature mentally faster than males. A 1-year-old female acts like a 1.5-2-year-old male. Males have a longer “puppy stage,” which some people love and some don’t. It’s a matter of preference. Females are generally easier to obedience train than males, as they have their commands down sooner. A 12-week-old female is typically obedience trained as well as a 14-week-old male.
The second difference is physical maturity. Males physically mature faster than females, especially regarding bladder control. Part of our Puppy Training Institute focuses on potty training and crate training. We have found that males can hold their bladders longer than females, making them quicker to potty train and crate train. Females excel in obedience training, but when it comes to potty training and crate training, males usually perform better due to their ability to hold their restroom needs longer.
The third difference is size. Males are typically 10-20 lbs heavier than females. An average female weighs 60-65 lbs, while an average male weighs 75-80 lbs. A small female can be as light as 45 lbs, and the largest females rarely exceed 70 lbs (not overweight). A small male usually weighs around 60 lbs, with larger males reaching up to 85 lbs.
Males also tend to have a blockier head, thicker coat, and especially a thicker “mane.” Most show dogs are males because they have a more appealing appearance and shed about half as much as breeding females. Breeding females shed their coats after a heat cycle, so they do not look good for half of the year. If you spay your female, she should shed as much as a male dog.
Also, having a thicker coat doesn’t necessarily mean that a male sheds more. As long as the female is spayed, she sheds about the same amount as a male. If she’s not spayed, she will shed almost twice as much as a male after her heat cycle.
Where These Differences Matter
When becoming a new English Golden puppy owner, choosing between a male or female is often a significant decision. We are confident that whichever one you choose, your experience will be enjoyable. However, it’s essential to consider the above differences.
As your puppy grows into adulthood, some of these differences become irrelevant. While there may be variations in certain areas of training between male and female pups graduating from our Puppy Training Institute, these differences tend to even out, especially if you plan on continuing your pup’s training.
Ultimately, whether or not gender matters is up to you. Some buyers simply prefer one over the other. But there is no right or wrong answer, and your puppy will be equally healthy and loving regardless of your choice. We encourage you to select a puppy with the preferred personality traits detailed on each puppy’s page, and we will assist you in choosing the best English Cream Golden for your family.
