Golden Retrievers are perhaps one of the most common dogs that people keep as pets. While it might not be too obvious, but the gender of the dog plays a great role in what kind of experience you’ll be having as a pet parent.
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As you might know, males and females of every species are distinct. And so, they come with their own personalities and characteristics. While some differences are too subtle to notices, others make you believe that the breed of the dogs cannot possibly be the same.
Are you trying to figure out whether you should get a male or female golden retriever as a pet? Well, we’ve outlined some of the major differences in the two genders that’ll hopefully allow you to make a much more informed decision.
Differences Between Male and Female Golden Retrievers
Here are some of the difference that you’ll find in male and female golden retrievers:
Difference in Size
Let’s talk about the size of your pet golden retriever. When it comes to male golden retrievers, you must know that they grow much larger in size as compared to female golden retrievers. They grow much faster than females as well.
And so, during crate and potty training, it becomes easier to handle and train the males as they have better capacity to hold or contain themselves. In most dogs, you’ll find that the males are much larger than the female counterparts. There is no explanation for this, other than the genetics involved in the species.
Difference in Maturity
While male golden retrievers grow faster in terms of physical maturity, you’ll find females growing much faster when it comes to mental maturity. Experts have observed that females behave similar to male golden retrievers when they’re around two years old. This showcases that female golden retrievers have a better mental maturity as opposed to males.
Along with this, you’ll find that this allows female golden retrievers to socialize better and be more responsive to trainings rather than their male counterparts. Male golden retrievers remain in their puppy-like mental state for a longer period of time and are not as easy to train.
Personality Differences
There is a major difference when it comes to the personality of the two. Since female golden retrievers are much more quick at maturing, they appear to be much more calm as well. So, you’ll find your female golden retriever to be much more relaxed than the male.
Also, male golden retrievers are quite hyper and require a lot of energy to play with. However, on the whole, golden retrievers mature slower than other breeds. So, they’ll take up to 18 months to mature completely. But as soon as they mature, you’ll find that females are calmer than the males.
How Do They Mark?
Animals mark their territory through multiple methods. When it comes to dogs, males are going to mark much more than the females. They have higher tendency to do so. You’ll see them commonly sniffing around, stopping, and peeing more than the females when they’re out for a walk.
Marking in males is more common when they’re not neutered. Once they undergo the neutering process, you’ll see a stark difference in their marking habits. They’ll continue to do so, but the frequency of their marking will reduce significantly. Rather than marking every time you guys head out, your male golden will mark less.
Spaying/ Neutering Requirements
When it comes to getting a golden retriever as a pet, you must ask the dreadful question of getting them neutered or spayed. Most pet parents get their dogs neutered or spayed as their vets recommend the same.
There are multiple things that you might need to consider when it comes to doing this. What kind of lifestyle do you have? Is your dog extremely social? Do you want to start a golden retriever pack? Are there any healthy implications for your dog? What about behavioural risks?
You will need to consult your vet when it comes to this. The bottom line is that spaying is much more intrusive than neutering, and so you must reach out to your vet to make an informed decision.
Bonding and Affection
Talking about bonding and affection, it’s quite evident that males are much more affectionate than their female counterparts. This is a longstanding observation as many pet parents have confirmed that their male golden retrievers shower them with much more affection as opposed to their female golden retrievers.
While both males and females are extremely affectionate and loving, it’s more common for males to be more attached to their owners. There’s also a common phrase used where they say that males love you and the female golden retrievers want the love.
Females require more attention and expect you to give them undivided attention in the form of pets and cuddles. However, when it comes to male golden retrievers, they are the ones that give you non-stop attention all the time.
In general, both are highly attached to their owners and suffer from high separation anxiety. Therefore, it doesn’t make too much of a difference when it comes to which gender you choose for your golden retriever. Keep in mind that you need to give them a lot of attention, so if you don’t have the time then you should get other dog breeds that require less attention.
Protective Instincts
Females, especially mothers, are more protective of their families in general. The same rule applies to golden retrievers as females are much more inclined to protect their home and family. You’ll see that their behavior changes as soon as they see strangers.
Male golden retrievers are not aggressive or as protective of the family when compared to their female versions. Females are also warier of strangers and might even start barking if the strangers seem too suspicious.
Intelligence and Training
Golden Retrievers stand fourth on the list when it comes to being one of the smartest dog breeds. And so, you’ll find both males and females to be much easier to train than many other dog breeds. However, when making a comparison between males and females within the golden retriever breed, it’s known that females are much easier to train.
The likely cause for this is that their mental maturity occurs much faster than males. Not only this, but they have a naturally relaxed disposition, so you won’t have to worry about dealing with high levels of energy during training sessions.
Many also state that females are smarter than male golden retrievers. But there’s no hard and fast rule for this. It mostly depends on the personality of the individual dog and the quality of training being given to them.
Energy Levels
Energy levels of golden retrievers are generally quite high. They’re hyper and super active dog breeds that you’ll find always ready to play or go for a walk. However, when comparing males and females, males tend to be more energetic than female golden retrievers.
The major reason for this could be the mental maturity levels of the two. Male golden retrievers take longer to mature mentally, and so they’re in their puppy phase for a long duration. Hence, they have more energy levels and are always ready to pounce.
While females are also packed with a lot of energy, they’re relatively less active than their male counterparts. This means that you won’t find them barking loudly or giving you a difficult time. Male golden retrievers might need more attention to be able to train them more effectively and meet their energy levels.
Health Issues
One of the more common concerns for any pet parent is the health concern that they need to prepare for. The breed itself is prone to a range of diseases, including retinal cataracts, epilepsy, cancer, and more. This is mostly when they grow older and have lived a long life.
However, when it comes to the specifics, you’ll find that females that haven’t been spayed are more prone to hip dysplasia and other diseases. Overall, the two have a similar life expectancy rate that can range from anywhere between 10 to 12 years of age. In certain situations, you can also find ages of golden retrievers to go up to 14 years.
How to Choose Between a Male or Female Golden Retriever?
Now, when it comes figuring out which one you should go for, there’s no clear cut answer. It all depends on what personality works best for you. So, if you’re planning on getting a golden retriever puppy, it’s best to interact with them with the help of the breeder you’re going for. This will help you connect better and make a better decision.
Nevertheless, no matter which option you choose, you will be welcoming years of joy, love, and loyalty to your home. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a male or a female as your dog is going to make a special place in your home no matter what. So, do your research and get yourself a golden retriever puppy.
