Puppy guide
Choosing the
right gender.
Boy or girl? Here is a thoughtful look at what gender can—and cannot—tell you about your future Goldendoodle or Poodle, and the questions that usually matter more.
For most families, a puppy’s individual personality matters far more than whether it is a boy or a girl. Gender can shape a few practical details, but it is rarely the deciding factor.
Girls
Female
Females are often a little smaller on average. They are just as affectionate, playful, and trainable as males. Unspayed females go into heat and can become pregnant, which is one of the reasons spaying is an important step.
Boys
Male
Males are often a little larger on average. They are just as loving and eager to learn as females. Unneutered males may be more inclined to mark, roam, or mount, and neutering together with consistent training and management helps.
Common assumptions
Personality is
more individual.
You may have heard that girls are calmer and boys are goofier, or that one gender is more affectionate. Any differences between the sexes tend to be small compared with the differences between individual puppies—even puppies from the same litter.
Early socialization, consistent training, exercise, and your family’s daily routine shape a dog’s behavior far more than gender does. Choosing a puppy whose temperament suits your household is usually a better guide than choosing by gender alone.
Worth considering
Questions that
help you decide.
Adult size
Males may run slightly larger, but a puppy’s parents and expected adult weight tell you much more. Look at the adult weight range shown on each puppy’s profile.
Spay & neuter
Cocoa Doodles puppies are spayed or neutered under the puppy contract, typically around nine months. Your veterinarian can help you time it, which also takes heat cycles and most gender-related behaviors off the table for many families.
Other dogs at home
Many households do well with any combination. Matching temperament and energy level matters more than gender. If a current dog has struggled with dogs of a certain sex, let us know.
Your routine
Think about your activity level, training time, children, and how much attention a puppy will get each day. A good fit with your lifestyle is a better predictor of a happy match than gender.
Choosing your puppy
Tell us what
matters most.
Puppies are selected in waitlist order, and gender and color cannot be guaranteed. If you have a preference, mention it in your application—and the more flexible you can be, the more likely you are to find the right puppy at your turn.
Start your application →Ask Cocoa Doodles →