A part of every decision to get a dog is determining whether a male or female would be the best match for the potential owner and/or their family. The same can be said for the Labrador Retriever. Because the Lab is a fairly large dog, getting a male dog seems an obvious choice especially for owners who want their dog to serve as a guard or watch dog. Others prefer a female, believing them to have a mellower temperament suitable for children. There are also those who factor in the sex of the Lab as part of their plans to have puppies in the future.
No matter what your reason, you should make the right decision in choosing a male or female Labrador to bring home with you.
Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between male and female Labs.
The Similarities Between Male and Female Labs
In truth, both Lab genders share the same general qualities and needs that are characteristic of the breed. First, they have that gentle, playful, and intelligent demeanor which have always made Labs ideal family dogs. Second, they require the same amount of health care, feeding, exercise, training, and love and attention. In fact, it is because of these shared qualities that gender really does not matter to some Lab owners. Third, male and female Labs get along better with dogs of the opposite gender. So, if you already happen to have a male Lab at home, it would be happier to have a female companion, and vice versa.
However, for the more discerning dog lover, they look into the subtle differences among the genders which may affect their raising of the Lab. Perhaps the biggest consideration when it comes to gender is the difference in sexual behaviors between males and females.
To better appreciate these differences, we shall tackle each sex individually.
The Male Labrador Retriever
The male Labrador Retriever is larger than the female, having a standard height of 22.5-24.5 inches and weight of 65-80 pounds. Naturally, because of their larger size, male Labs are expected to eat more than their female counterparts.
When it comes to temperament, males are more independent and aggressive than females. You can expect males to have difficulties with smaller living spaces which can lead to destructive behaviors if they are not crate trained properly. They also do not socialize well with other males and this could be particularly problematic in the presence of female dogs that are in heat.
While male Labs tend to bond with a single person in their families, they are contented with showering their “human” with all the love and affection that they could give without expecting anything in return. For the male Lab, it is enough for them to lie down at your feet or lay its head on your lap.
When it comes to sexual behaviors, male Labs exhibit different traits when they are intact and neutered. Intact males may tend to exhibit possessive aggression and dominance display behaviors. This is especially true during the female heat cycle and may even show aggression against humans. They may also be aggressive toward females that reject their advances. You should also expect your intact male to exhibit urine marking, peeing on anything and everything to mark their territory.
When you decide to have your male Lab neutered (a procedure that is less expensive than the spaying of females), you should expect their physical features to not have that rougher edge that you find in males because of the lack of testosterone. His possessive behavior is also lessened. Its attentiveness toward their owner increases. You should also expect your male Lab to be more food motivated, so be careful with the treats because you might find yourself with an obese dog. Last but not least, neutered Labs become more affectionate and enthusiastic than females.
The Female Labrador Retriever
Female Labrador Retrievers are slightly smaller than males, with a standard height of 21.5-23.5 inches and weight of 55-70 pounds.
Female Labs are said to be calmer and less excitable. They are also easier to train. However, they become shy and fearful if scolded or subjected to other forms of negative reinforcement. While considered less aggressive than their male counterparts, female Labs can be aggressive in rejecting potential “suitors” or when protecting their puppies. They may also fight against other females. But in a group of all-female dogs, bonding may develop once a hierarchy (particularly the choice of an “alpha”) is established.
Unlike males, female Labs easily bond with many people in the household. However, while the male is content to just be with their owner, females want to receive Lab in return, whether it’s in the form of a treat or petting, cuddles and hugs.
When it comes to sexual behaviors, you can also expect differences between females that are intact and have been spayed.
The biggest expectation in intact females is the heat cycle. Female Labs go into a heat every six months with the heat period lasting for three weeks. You should also expect to see a bloody discharge. It is this fluid that attracts the male. If you own a male dog, you may have to separate the female to prevent unwanted mating and pregnancy. During this heat cycle, you can also expect hormone-induced mood swings as well as increased aggression toward other females.
Spaying female Labs is a more expensive procedure than neutering because of the removal of the uterus and ovaries. Because of the complex surgery, females need a longer recuperation time. Once spaying is done, you can notice that maturation in spayed females is faster than in males, so that it is easier to train them (whether it is house or crate training and obedience training). Spayed females also become more independent, demanding, stubborn, and territorial. You should also expect more frequent occurrences of urinary tract infection because spayed females need to squat lower to the ground, exposing them to UTI-causing bacteria.
No matter what gender of Labrador Retriever you choose, the personality traits between males and females remain pretty much the same (characteristic of the entire breed). However, you should be aware of differences in sexual behaviors if you decide to keep your dog intact or have them spayed/neutered.
