Everyone knows that there are big differences between different dog breeds, but fewer people know that there are significant differences between genders within the same breed. For instance, there are some major differences between male and female Golden Retrievers. When it comes to male vs. female Golden Retrievers, knowing the differences between them can affect your decision to get one: or at least, which gender to get.
In this article, we’ll cover all the major differences between the two genders for this dog breed.
Table of Contents
Male Vs. Female Golden Retriever Size
Like almost all animals, Golden Retrievers come in different sizes based on gender. In fact, size is one of the biggest differences between a male and female Golden Retriever.
Male
Male Golden Retrievers are just a little larger than their female counterparts. Golden Retrievers are considered medium-sized dogs, with males generally reaching a height of 23 – 24 inches (58.42 – 60.96 cm). On average, this is about 2-4 inches taller than female Golden Retrievers.
Of course, being taller, male Golden Retrievers also tend to weigh more than females. Generally speaking, their weight is about 65 and 75 lbs (29.48 – 34.01 kilos).
Female
As stated above, female Golden Retrievers are a little smaller than their male counterparts. Generally speaking, they tend to be around 21.5 – 22.5 inches (54.61 – 57.15 cm). As for weight, they usually weigh around 55 and 65 lbs (24.9 – 29.48 kilos).
Differences
Male Golden Retrievers are bigger than female Golden Retrievers, but only by a little bit. Males usually have 2-4 inches and about ten pounds on females. So if you want a more physically imposing dog, a male Golden Retriever is the better option.
Male Vs. Female Golden Retriever Temperament
Different dog breeds have different temperaments, but different genders within those breeds behave differently as well. This is no different for Golden Retrievers. In fact, there are a great many differences in the temperament of the two genders.
Male
Male Golden Retrievers tend to be a bit more active and hyper than their female counterparts. In fact, while both genders reach physical maturity at roughly the same time, males tend to mature mentally a little slower. On average, it takes roughly twice as long for a male Retriever to end their puppyhood stage.
This really just means that males tend to be more playful and hyperactive for a longer period of time. This is not to say that females cannot be those things, only that, generally speaking, males tend to have those traits more often or to a more significant degree.
It’s worth noting that neutered males may be calmer or less hyper.
Female
With a faster rate of mental maturation, female Golden Retrievers tend to be somewhat calmer than their male counterparts. This does not mean they can never be hyper or rowdy, only that they are less likely to express those traits to the same degree that males do, and they may grow out of it faster than males as well.
Differences
Both male and female Golden Retrievers are loving and loyal. There’s just a different degree of hyper behavior and rowdiness between them, on average. Males tend to have more puppylike behavior for a longer period of time than females.
However, it’s important to note that a dog’s temperament is usually a result of their upbringing and environment, more so than their gender. Dogs have different temperaments and personalities, just like humans do. They can have different behaviors and personalities that are not affected by gender.
Their surroundings, parents, human interactions, and more affect their behavior and their temperaments.
Male Vs. Female Golden Retrievers Price
If you are buying a dog from a breeder, there are often many factors that can affect the price of those dogs. The thing is, those factors vary wildly and don’t always have anything to do with gender. Some dog breeders charge higher prices for female Golden Retrievers, but some charge higher prices for males.
Still, there are some factors to consider when it comes to the price of caring for a Golden Retriever of each gender.
Males
Generally, most breeders charge less for male dogs because females can provide puppies. However, there are some breeders who charge more for males. That aspect of price really comes down to the person you are buying from.
Buying a dog with a special bloodline (such as champion show dogs) will cost more, while adopting a Golden Retriever will cost much less. Aside from initial buying prices, there are factors to consider regarding the long-term price of caring for a male Golden Retriever.
For instance, one thing to consider is the price of dog food. Golden Retrievers are medium-sized dogs and tend to eat a fair deal of food. While that varies based on age, gender, and other things, male dogs often eat more than females.
On average, Golden Retrievers eat around 2 and 1/2 to 4 and 1/2 cups of dog food a day as adults. A vet can tell you exactly how much your specific dog needs. High-quality dog food is around $3 a pound. That would make a 30-pound bag about $55, which would provide roughly 40 days of food based on that previous average.
So, that would basically amount to a month or so of dog food for $55. Of course, there are also treats, if you care about that, which is another expense: and males may need larger treats than females.
The only other expense that may be gender-specific is spaying or neutering. Neutering prevents males from breeding and is an easier procedure than spaying, so it generally costs several hundred dollars less.
Other expenses, such as leashes, toys, and medicine, are not gender-specific.
Females
Female Golden Retrievers are often priced higher than males if you are buying them from a breeder. The primary reason for this is because female dogs can produce puppies, which means you can get many more dogs out of just one, whether you want to keep them, sell them or give them away.
However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, it’s male dogs that cost more. However, that’s quite rare, and on average, the females cost more.
Other than that, there is the same consideration for females as the male dogs. Female Golden Retrievers like to eat too, but since they are smaller, they eat less food in the same window of time as the males.
That means the aforementioned $55 bag of dog food would last longer for a female dog on average than a male one, thus cutting back on your expenses somewhat. As far as veterinary costs are concerned, spaying is more expensive than neutering in most cases.
In the long run, a female Retriever is probably going to cost you a little less than a male one, simply because the smaller females eat less food, meaning the dog food you buy lasts longer, and you don’t have to restock as often.
That said, spaying is more expensive than neutering in many cases, but that’s a one-time expense.
Training Differences Between Male and Female Retrievers
When it comes to training a dog, the difference in gender can have an effect on how easily a Golden Retriever learns.
Male
Remember when we talked about how male Golden Retrievers are often more hyper and excitable than females, not to mention that they tend to mentally mature more slowly than their female counterparts?
Well, this means that males tend to have a tougher time with training because they tend to have shorter attention spans. They usually seek more attention than females and thus require more positive training methods and treats to learn.
Even before that, since males tend to mature mentally and emotionally a little slower than females, they may not even be ready for training at the same time that females would be.
Female
Females are generally considered to be easier to train as far as Golden Retrievers are concerned. They have longer attention spans, greater focus, a calmer disposition, and mature emotionally faster than males. Statistically, that is. There are always exceptions.
With all of that being the case, female Retrievers are more likely to stay focused during training, they’ll pick things up faster and be ready for training more quickly.
Differences
Generally speaking, male Golden Retrievers are a bit more difficult to train than female Golden Retrievers. However, it’s important to remember that this is a general assumption and not true for every Golden Retriever out there.
Each dog has its own disposition. Some males are calmer, and some females are more hyper and excitable. While you can generally trust in the statistics, always be aware that your dog is unique and may have unique needs.
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Male Vs. Female Golden Retriever Health Differences
Golden Retrievers of either gender tend to have some of the same health problems, but there are a few unique things that are specific to one gender or the other.
Males
Golden Retrievers are susceptible to a number of cancers, though males don’t have it as bad as females do. Neutering them after they hit puberty reduces or eliminates the risk of genital-related cancers.
There are also other common health problems for Golden Retrievers, such as:
Hip Dysplasia
Entropion
Cataracts
Ichthyosis
However, these health issues are not specific to male or female Golden Retrievers. Genital health problems are the only ones really specific to males, and that can be solved by neutering.
Females
Female Golden Retrievers tend to have more serious health issues than males, and most of it is related to their genitals as well. For one, being female, they have an oestrus cycle every six months. Just like with humans, this is the ideal time for making babies. Also, like humans, the female Retriever will bleed during that time for roughly seven to thirteen days.
That’s all perfectly natural, but it does present an issue for owners, at least as far as keeping their home clean is concerned.
Spaying may solve the problems mentioned above, but unfortunately, it increases the risk for many other issues and diseases that are aggravated or exacerbated by spaying. Females that aren’t spayed have a higher risk of hip dysplasia.
Females also have a higher risk for ocular myasthenia and adrenocortical insufficiency but a lower risk for idiopathic epilepsy.
Differences
Golden Retrievers are at risk for a number of health problems, but only a few of them are gender-specific. Females have more health issues due to complications with spaying and diseases related to the procedure. That said, a female Retriever is more likely to present health problems for the owner during its lifetime.
Are Males or Females More Affectionate?
Both male and female Golden Retrievers are very sweet and affectionate. However, the way they express it may be a little different.
Male
Male Retrievers are generally considered to crave more attention than females, meaning they often want more petting than females, and tend to whine more than females when they don’t get attention. They love getting attention at all times of the day.
They’re very playful and very loving. They do need a lot of attention, though, which an owner should take into consideration.
Female
Female Golden Retrievers generally require less attention than males. Instead of needing attention all the time, they will come to you for affection when they want it and leave when they have had enough. This is not to say they aren’t loving: they are just more willing to be alone at times and don’t need constant attention.
Differences
Once again, gender is not an all-powerful factor in a dog’s behavior. That said, gender is still a good way to make an assumption on a dog’s behavior. Both genders are very loving and affectionate. However, females are more willing to take a break from their owners.
The males tend to want attention all the time, every day. They need more attention than females on average, but that doesn’t make either gender more loving than the other.
Which Sex is Better for Families?
Getting a dog when you have young children around? The gender of your Golden Retriever could have an effect on that factor.
Male
Males, being more excitable and hyper than females, tend to be a little clumsier than them as well. This means the male Retrievers could be a little more dangerous than females if there are small children around.
Of course, the males are very playful, meaning they will, of course, be very fun dogs for an active family. But because they can be a little reckless, they could pose a threat to smaller children. Not to mention, males are generally heavier than females, also raising the potential for accidents when playing with kids.
Female
Because female Golden Retrievers have a shorter developmental phase and spend less time as puppies, they tend to be less playful, hyper, and clumsy than male Retrievers. This can be very good if you have kids whose safety is a concern.
Female Golden Retrievers, being naturally hardwired for motherhood and caring for puppies, are a lot calmer and careful around young kids. This doesn’t mean they won’t play with kids, but they will be much more careful about doing so.
Differences
Male Golden Retrievers are often very playful and hyper and thus can be somewhat silly or clumsy, especially when they are playing around and having fun. And since they weigh more than females, they have a higher chance of accidentally hurting a younger kid while playing.
On the other hand, females tend to be more reserved and careful around young kids, even when they are playing with them. And since they are lighter, there is a much lower chance of dangerous accidents occurring.
Recap
Here’s the summarized breakdown of the two genders of Golden Retrievers.
Males
Males are taller, heavier, and eat more food than females. They have a longer puppy stage than females and thus are more difficult to train and are more playful and hyper. They’ll cost more to feed but have fewer potential health issues than females if they are properly neutered.
The males love attention more than the females, meaning they will often come to the owner of their own accord for affection.
Females
Female Retrievers emotionally mature faster than males, making them less hyper and excitable, though they still like to play. They have more potential health issues, especially related to spaying. They eat less food and are smaller, and are more careful around kids while also being easier to train. However, females often cost more than males to buy from breeders and require spaying to avoid oestrus cycles or puppies.
