Male Versus Female Labrador Retriever
Evaluating a male versus female Labrador retriever is important when you are considering opening your heart and home to a cute Labrador puppy.
On top of factors such as where to get your puppy or what coat color you'll choose, you will also have to decide whether you want a male or a female Labrador puppy.
Sometimes, the choice is a no-brainer: upon looking at a litter of puppies you may choose the puppy who walks right up to you and pulls at your heartstrings regardless of what sex the puppy is.
However, it's not a bad idea to do some homework beforehand, especially if you want to listen to your rational side.
After all, there are some key differences between owning a female or a male Labrador puppy, ranging from personality to health and several other factors. Let's therefore take a closer look at male versus female Labrador retrievers.
Differences in Appearance
One of the most striking differences between male and female Labradors is the appearance.
Height and Weight
Male Labradors present as having a more imposing structure. They can be taller at the withers, ranging between 22½ to 24½ inches.
Male Labradors may weigh anywhere between 65 to 80 pounds.
Female Labradors measure anywhere between 21½ to 23½ inches at the withers. When it comes to their weight, they may weigh anywhere between 55 to 70 pounds.
The above measurements apply to male and female Labradors who are over 12 months of age. They are sourced by the American Kennel Club's Labrador retriever breed standard.
A Sexually Dimorphic Breed
Because there are considerable differences between the appearance of male and female Labrador retrievers, it can be said that this is a sexually dimorphic breed.
Sexual dimorphism refers to the phenomenon where there is a noticeable difference between a male and female as it may happen in various animals such as birds, horses and cats.
Male Labradors are known to have a more imposing appearance that is reflected in the skull, withers, and overall bone structure.
Differences in Temperament
Male Labradors tend to have more liveliness and physical prowess and this can create some struggles when being walked on a leash.
They may pull to go sniff and urine mark bushes, or upon seeing other dogs, which can create some challenges and management problems.
As male Labradors mature, they may become strongly attracted to the outdoor world, especially as they reach the adolescent stage. If left intact, they will want to wander and search for female dogs in heat.
Male Labs have a reputation for being excitable and easily distracted. However, despite these distractions, when well trained, a male Labrador will remain an affectionate companion who is strong, confident and eager to work.
Males are known for their goofy, playful nature. They may have an uncanny ability to pick up on your emotions.
Female dogs are generally more docile and milder, although they can pose some challenges too. When young, females are also exuberant dogs who can easily knock down a toddler or the elderly. They can get moody at times, especially during the heat cycle or false pregnancies if left intact.
Differences in Health
Male and female dogs may suffer from different ailments.
Male dogs when left intact may suffer from testicular cancer or prostate issues. Their tendency to roam can make them prone to accidents such as being hit by a car, getting into fights with other dogs or other types of injuries.
With female dogs, left intact, you must worry about the mood swings associated with heat cycles and false pregnancies. You also will need to consider the risk of pyometra and mammary cancers.
Female dogs may also develop more urinary tract infections due to their shorter urethra which makes it easier for bacteria to travel from the gastrointestinal tract up into the bladder, causing infections. As female dogs age, they may suffer from urinary incontinence, especially if they were spayed.
Spaying and neutering at a too young age (earlier than 6 months of age) has been found in a study to be correlated with increased risks for joint disorders in both male and female Labs.
According to a study, female dogs were found to have a higher sensibility in perceiving pain, while male dogs consistently showed lower pain levels. This higher perception may be linked to the presence of estrogen, a hormone, which even among humans, has been found to play a role in lowering pain thresholds ultimately, leading to a higher pain perception compared to males.
Male or Female For New Dog Owners?
In general, a female Labrador may be more suitable for a first time dog owner. Although they can be exuberant too when young, they are generally easier to manage as they have a lower tendency to act territorial.
They may also display soft "maternal instincts" towards children and the elderly, making them perfect family dogs.
Male Labradors tend to be exuberant, get readily excited and may do best with experienced owners who prefer an active outdoor lifestyle and can manage their physical prowess.
Male Labradors can be goofier though and fun to be around, whereas females may be a little more serious and more on the independent side.
Males have a reputation of acting as perpetual puppies even when grown up. Although Labradors have a low rep for aggression, a study on Labradors found intact males to be more prone to owner-directed aggression compared to females.
More generally, recent research has found male dogs to also be more prone to aggression towards other dogs and territoriality.
In other studies, female Labrador retriever guide dogs were found to be more prone to fearfulness, causing them to be rejected, whereas, male dogs scored higher for courage. When exposed to unfamiliar places that were noisy and crowded, female dogs sniffed more which signaled a need to gather information about potential threats.
On the plus side, females are considered to be more trainable, easier to potty train, and likely to be more affectionate
Regardless of gender, both male and female Labradors need owners who can dedicate their time to provide sufficient exercise, training and mental stimulation in this intelligent breed.
More Success in the Show Ring
Did you know? Although male and female dogs contribute equally to the genetics of their offspring, and should therefore, be judged equally, research hasn't found evidence of female dogs succeeding as much as their male counterparts in the show ring.
To the contrary, research has found an over-representation of male dogs among the Best of Breed (BOB) and Best in Group (BIG) categories.
The reasons for this inequality surely warrant some investigation. It could be that several dog breed standards provide an advantage on the male phenotype or simply the judges are more impressed by the larger size of male dogs.
It could also be that breeders are not placing an emphasis on their female dogs adhering to breed standards but on other traits such as mothering instincts, temperament and general maternal care.
The Bottom Line
While there are likely some traits tied up to a specific gender, it's important to recognize that every dog is ultimately an individual. How a dog turns out to be is the ultimate product of nature and nurture, that is, genetics and the environment in which the dog has been raised.
To be fair, male and female dogs shouldn't be compared as apples to oranges, but as apples to apples. Male and female Labs are like different varieties of apples, each blessed with their own unique traits, but still belonging to the same category (Labrador Retrievers).
If you are undecided on whether to get a female or male Labrador puppy, it doesn't hurt to ask the breeder's opinion. He or she has raised the pups from an early age and has likely formed some insights into their individual temperaments.
A reputable breeder should be able to match you up with the best puppy while keeping in mind your personality, needs and lifestyle.
For Further Reading
References:
- Bethany, Wilson., Alicia, J., Kasbarian., Navneet, K., Dhand., Paul, D., McGreevy. (2018). Battle of the Sexes in Best of Breed: Sex Influences Dogs' Success in the Show Ring.. Open Access Journal
- L., Miguel, Carreira., Pedro, Azevedo. (2016). The influence of estrogen on sex-related differences in pain perception using dog as an animal model.
- Lofgren, S.E.; Wiener, P.; Blott, S.C.; Sanchez-Molano, E.; Woolliams, J.A.; Clements, D.N.; Haskell, M.J.Management and personality in Labrador Retriever dogs. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.2014
- Goddard, M.E.; Beilharz, R.G. Genetic and environmental factors affecting the suitability of dogs as guidedogs for the blind. Theor. Appl. Genet. 1982
- Goddard, M.E.; Beilharz, R.G. Genetics of traits which determine the suitability of dogs as guide-dogs forthe blind. Appl. Anim. Ethol. 1983
- (2023). Behavioral differences between sexes—including breed profiles and appropriate ages for spaying and neutering to avoid increasing joint disorders or cancers.
- Benjamin, L., Hart., Lynette, A., Hart., Abigail, P., Thigpen., Neil, H., Willits. (2014). Long-Term Health Effects of Neutering Dogs: Comparison of Labrador Retrievers with Golden Retrievers. PLOS ONE
Disclaimer: this article is not meant to be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice or behavioral advice. If your dog is acting sick or aggressive please consult with a qualified professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
