All animals will show and display characteristic differences between the sexes, and this is true of dogs and particularly Cavapoos as well. With a Cavapoo, it can be harder to tell the differences between male and female personality traits, and even physical characteristics without a close look. Some owners have even noticed distinct differences between male and female Cavapoos in regards to territorial marking and humping behaviors.
So, what are the major differences between male and female Cavapoos? Cavapoos will display some behavioral differences between the two sexes. Male Cavapoos will mark their territory more often than females and are more prone to humping during the puppy and early adult life stage. Males are also said to be more docile and a bit less assertive than female Cavapoos.
In all honesty, noticeable traits in personality and behavior between a male and female Cavapoo are subjective and unique. But it is certainly worth exploring just what makes male and female Cavapoos different and this is noticeable in both physical and behavioral traits.
This guide will explore these various differences and help you to decide which sex of Cavapoo would suit your lifestyle better. Read on to find out more.
Are male or female Cavapoos better?
Both male and female dogs will fit the “best friend” ideal that we all seek when acquiring a dog. Any major differences between the two sexes are minimal at best.
There are just as many Cavapoo owners who will favor a male as there are those who go on about the desirable traits of a female. But if you truly want to experience the joy and excitement of owning a Cavapoo, either sex will do.
Because Rosie is female, we can naturally speak about all the positive attributes of owning a female Cavapoo, but science suggests that both male and female dogs will provide loving and loyal companions. And when it comes to Cavapoos, the males we have seen have been just as energetic and adorable as what we see daily with Rosie.
So, between a male and female Cavapoo, which is better? The truth of this question is that both sexes are representative of what people love about this breed.
With males, there are some studies that suggest that male dogs are more aggressive than female dogs due to reproductive traits, but having your Cavapoo spayed or neutered can help to balance out these traits.
In addition, that really just leaves physical differences. Apart from different reproductive organs, female Cavapoos, and female dogs in general, may live longer than males, but the scientific consensus on this is mixed at best.
With all of this in mind, there are some noticeable differences across physical and mental traits between the two sexes. Let’s take a look at these differences to help you finally decide which sex of Cavapoo is more preferable to your liking.
Cavapoo health/lifespan differences
When it comes to overall lifespan, a male dog is generally understood to live a shorter lifespan when compared to females. But this is actually a common misrepresentation.
On average, male and female Cavapoos live roughly the same amount of time and studies suggest that this is true of the Cavapoo since small breed dogs of either sex tend to live longer than larger breeds.
The ultimate barometer for measuring the lifespan of a Cavapoo should have nothing to do with sex, but rather their overall health and quality of life. Cavapoos of either sex do have some genetic health concerns to be aware of, but apart from this, feeding your male or female Cavapoo a quality diet, giving them daily exercise, and ensuring they are valued and shown affection are the keys to longevity.
Although the idea that males do not live as long as females are used far too often, the reverse is actually the case if a male is not spayed or neutered.
In these instances, fully intact male and female dogs are a different case altogether, with males actually living slightly longer than females.
Since spaying and neutering are now common, females take the edge slightly.
Cavapoo size differences
In terms of overall size, Cavapoos of either sex are small breed dogs, which means it can become tricky to notice major differences between size and weight.
A large factor in this is that both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the toy or miniature Poodle are both small breed parents.
It is also important to note that even if two dogs have the same parents, they are unlikely to turn out to be the same height or weight. In most litters, you will have a big puppy, some average-sized Cavapoos, and then the ‘runt’ of the litter. And, although they may all look similar at birth, it is not until they reach adulthood that you will notice significant differences between each dog.
You may also notice that your female Cavapoo is smaller in height than a male Cavapoo, but only at very close observations. This is because female dogs tend to be more compact than their male counterparts, just like many other animals.
Therefore, you can expect either male or female Cavapoos to be roughly the same height but a female may appear slightly bulkier. We have written a blog on how big your Cavapoo will grow for those that are interested to know more.
Cavapoo grooming and coat differences
Any differences in grooming or coat appearances between either a male or female Cavapoo will be virtually non-existent.
The key detail to keep in mind about coat appearance is whichever dominant trait takes over in the Cavapoo in regards to either the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or toy or miniature Poodle parent.
Nothing in this category will be based upon the sex of the Cavapoo. The appearance of a male or females coat will largely rely upon how often they are groomed and if grooming is being done the correct way. If you would like to groom your dog yourself, then check out our guide on how to groom a Cavapoo.
Personality and behavioral differences
When it comes to personality and behavior, observable traits have been varied between the two sexes from different Cavapoo owners. Let’s take a look at each sex.
Male Cavapoos
As mentioned, there are some scientific studies that lean towards accepting that male dogs are slightly more aggressive over their lifetimes than females.
Aggression doesn’t automatically mean that a male Cavapoo will be violent or unruly, it just means that they may show more characteristics of domain dominance and territorial marking.
The male Cavapoo temperament will be both affectionate and highly energetic-but this trait is also noticeable in the female Cavapoo as well.
It can also be said that male Cavapoos can display domineering behaviors with a bit more commonality than what is seen with a female dog.
Spaying and neutering can work to diminish these behaviors if you have a male Cavapoo that is constantly displaying aggression and dominant tendencies.
Female Cavapoos
Many Cavapoo owners have suggested that they notice more of a maternal protective streak and overall quieter behavioral trait in the female Cavapoo. Yet others have also reported that female Cavapoos are wilder and more disruptive.
In summary, any of these personality and behavioral traits have little to do with the sex of the Cavapoo, it is largely based on their environment and how they are being raised and trained.
Apart from some inconclusive scientific reports suggesting that male dogs are slightly more aggressive, there is really nothing beyond that.
Dogs of either sex will display behaviors that are deemed as okay by their owners. This is why it is important to raise your Cavapoo regardless of its sex in a caring environment and where their quality of life is prioritized. Proactive training techniques can help to mold the dog to the rights and wrongs of living with a family and respecting the home as well.
Territory marking differences
When a dog marks their territory through urination, we commonly associate this behavior with male dogs, but it may surprise you to know that both sexes mark their territory.
A Cavapoo will mark its territory to alert other dogs, and indeed other animals, to their presence. Dogs will do this away from their home to alert other dogs in the area of their gender and reproductive status, and they will do this at home (hopefully outdoors) to signal to other dogs that this is their domain.
A female Cavapoo does this through squatting to urinate and a male does this by lifting their leg to urinate. This is the only noticeable difference between the two sexes.
Having your Cavapoo spayed or neutered can help to limit this behavior.
Humping traits in male and female dogs
The dreaded humping behavior! All dogs seem to do it, and this behavior can become annoying and embarrassing if you have guests over. There are several reasons why both male and female Cavapoos do this.
Firstly, humping is primarily not a sexual act even though it certainly looks like it. More often than not, male or female dogs will hump other dogs when they are playing; it is a way of expressing the extreme burst of energy that younger dogs have, and since they cannot use their hands to rough house, they play through acts of mounting the other.
Rosie has a little lamb in her crate which she loves to cuddle at night and after a bout of the zoomies she often humps it. I have always wondered why, but this behavior definitely ties in with the explanation above.
Dog humping can also be caused by arousal in either a male or female dog but that is more rare and impossible to pinpoint. It can also be a form of male dominance if a male dog constantly humps a female.
When male or female dogs mount humans, this is almost always from anxiety because the dog doesn’t know quite what is going on, usually when the house is hectic or a routine is disrupted or, it can be from stress or simply to seek attention.
All of this also comes into play if a male or female Cavapoo attempts to hump a guest they are unfamiliar with.
For the moments when this behavior comes from arousal, spaying and neutering a Cavapoo will diminish the behavior. Apart from that, most dogs grow out of this behavior as they age.
Pros and Cons: Male vs. Female Cavapoo
Male Cavapoo Pros:
- Slightly larger. If size is a factor, you may find that a male Cavapoo is slightly taller than a female Cavapoo but the differences are not easily recognizable.
- Slightly more territorial. A male Cavapoo will have a bit more of a dominant personality, but again, this is highly subjective and cannot be verified by science. Males do tend to assert a bit more dominance over their homes.
Male Cavapoos Cons:
- Males may not live as long as females. Again, the science is murky on this issue, but there are some studies that are suggesting that male dogs do not live as long as female dogs.
- More prone to humping. A male Cavapoo may be more likely to display mounting behavior from arousal when compared to female Cavapoo, but both genders display humping behaviors.
- Possibly more aggressive. Although not completely verifiable, some reports suggest that male dogs, in general, are more prone to aggression than female dogs.
Female Cavapoo Pros:
- May live longer. A female Cavapoo could live longer than a male Cavapoo raised in the same environment with healthy factors in their overall quality of life.
- Females are less aggressive. Still misunderstood but some scholarly research indicates that female dogs are less aggressive than males.
- Bulkier. If this is a preference you prefer, you may find that on close inspection, female Cavapoos are stockier when compared to males, although our Rosie is actually quite slender.
Female Cavapoo Cons:
- Reproductive cycles. Although spaying and neutering can solve this problem, when female dogs go into estrus, this attracts nearby dogs and could lead to unwanted pregnancies.
Summary
As you can see, deciding between a male or female Cavapoo is largely a subjective process. There just aren’t many noticeable differences based on gender.
Some studies suggest that male dogs are slightly more aggressive, but this is still largely misunderstood and not enough is known to conclusively state a fact.
Either sex will fulfil all of the amazing attributes of this breed of dog. Also, having your Cavapoo spayed or neutered can limit tendencies toward some of the more common differences between males and females -it can also help your Cavapoo to live longer too.