Labradors are extremely friendly, affectionate, and loving which makes them the most common pet preference for most families. While most dog owners simply choose their pet based on their personality traits and appearance, there are some who understand that the pet’s gender is also an important consideration when wanting them to fit into the family with ease.

The difference between male and female Labradors affects a lot of their behavior and lifestyle. These may include their independence and attachment style. While males are known to be quite clingy, females are more independent.

We decided to let you understand these differences in depth so that you can make a clearer choice regarding the best pet breed and gender to adopt. Make sure to pay attention to details.

Understanding Social Preferences, Myths, And Facts

Before you bring home your own Lab puppy, you might want to know which gender is already preferred by owners. Since every home is different, it’s important to make a choice that goes well with your current living situation and lifestyle.

We have listed down some myths and facts about Labrador puppies that you better know now.

Myth-1: Male Labradors Are More Affectionate Than The Females 

It is believed that male labs find it easier to show love while the females want more love to be shown to them. Some people explain this as the female labs saying “give me love” and males saying “I love you”. Although it’s true to an extent, it only shows that female labradors are independent in nature. Female labs are equally affectionate and require the same amount of attention as the males. They just have a different way of showing it.

Females are more guarded when it comes to their affection while male labs tend to shower you with unconditional love even if you are not the one who approaches them on a regular basis. Female labs are more secure and emotionally mature than males.

Myth-2: Male Labradors Are Larger Than The Females

There are several dog breeders in Pune, enthusiasts, and websites that will tell you that ale labs always have to be larger than the females. Although it is true to an extent, you need to understand how it turns into a myth. This isn’t a thumb rule. You will also find cases where females are larger than males. All of this is dependent on genetics.

Myth-3: Male Labs Are Difficult To Handle As Compared To Females

You may come across people who say male labradors are way more difficult than females. But let this have no effect on your mindset. Males have a reputation for marking, humping, and chasing females when they move out for strolls.

Considering this, females are often easier to control. However, the above-mentioned behaviors may not be true for all male labradors. Neutering your pet will help in dealing with these undesirable behaviors. These behaviors occur as a result of natural urges and can be controlled with strategic distraction or training. Males can be a little slow to train but they are intelligent and not at all difficult to train.

Fact-1: Unspayed Female Labs Are Often Moody

Female labs that are not spayed can truly turn out to be moody and bad-tempered. This happens especially when they are exposed to heat. This is quite less noticeable than marking, humping, or chasing but it’s still an unpleasant characteristic. Spaying a female helps in fixing their temper and moodiness. Their potential mood swings could be a reason to not choose a female lab as your pet.

Fact-2: Female Labs Are Easier To Train Than Male Labs

People believe that labradors are really easy to train. On one hand, while this is true, it’s important to note that female labs mature faster than males and this makes them better and quick learners during their puppy phase. Males may lag behind a bit but they are still ahead of other dog breeds in the training class. This is something that most of the breeders and trainers have noticed.

Differences In Official Breed Standards

When comparing male lab vs female lab for adoption, there’s a lot more to consider than the difference in their personality and temperament. If you are interested in knowing breeding standard differences, we have some details for you.

We have tried to list down the most important factors that bring in the breeding standard difference between male and female labradors as stated by the American Kennel Club (AKC). There may be cases where your pets don’t match the standards. If this happens, don’t panic. These guidelines are generally indicated for show dogs. But if yours do not match them, they can still become family pets.

AKC states that Labradors that do not match the expected standards should not be bred. The only reason behind this is that breeding must carry on the breed’s most desirable characteristics only. There’s however no need to stress over these standards and differences if your pet is happy and healthy.

Height Differences Between Male And Female Labs

According to the AKC breed standard, there’s a definite size difference between female and male labradors. As per these standards, a male grows to a height ranging between 22.5 inches and 24.5 inches at the withers (lying at the base of the neck, above the shoulders, this is the highest part of their back).

Female labs on the other hand are slightly shorter with an expected height range between 21.5 inches and 23.5 inches. Again, this is just an expectation and not a necessary trait for all labradors.

Weight Differences Between Male And Female Labs

Obviously, the weight of a labrador puppy and a growing labrador would vary. But as they grow and become fully developed, they are expected to fall within a specific weight range. According to the AKC breed standards, a full-grown male lab is likely to be heavier than a full-grown female lab. Pet owners who have children or elderly people in their family, often choose a dog under a specific weight range.

Dogs can become boisterous and potentially knock over someone. This creates a fear of accidents. If that’s the case, females are more typically chosen being, smaller, lighter, and easier to handle physically. The weight of a full-grown adult female lab is expected to range between 55 lbs and 70 lbs while the expected weight of a full-grown male is likely to range between 65 lbs and 80 lbs.

Life Expectancy Of Male Vs Female Labradors

Labradors are known to be one of the longest-living dog breeds in the world. The average lifespan of both male and female labs is expected to be between 12 and 12.5 years. However, chocolate labradors are said to have a little shorter life expectancy – up to 10 years.

According to one of the articles by National Geographic, the reason for the short life is the color of Chocolate Lab but it’s more because of the harmful genes which were used to obtain the color of these dogs. There are also resources that say that there’s no definite lifespan for these dogs. A lot of factors affect their lives and a major difference is created by how you care for them, their lifestyle, diet, exercise, diseases, etc. Gender has almost nothing to do with it.

Personality Difference Between Male And Female Labradors

If you are more focused on personality traits before you decide about bringing a pet home, it’s a good choice to understand how male and female labradors differ. These personality traits include affection, dominance, aggression, independence, and affection styles. Read further to know more about them.

Male Vs Female Labs: Attachment To Humans

Both male and female Labradors are comfortable with attachments. However, they show and react to it differently. Both male and female labs have endless love for their human family but how they attach to them or show this attachment may vary.

While both give and need love, females are likely to be more independent. They are not as needy or attached as the males. Male labradors tend to swoon and show never-ending love, while the females treat you like you have to earn it. However, the females are not really distant by nature; they freely reciprocate when love and affection are freely shown to them.

Male Labs are easier to please as they are satisfied simply in your company; they will happily lie down at your feet. On the other hand, females expect the experience to be a little more rewarding for them before they give you their undivided attention. These differences can be understood well only when one has a male and female labrador to compare.

How Male And Female Labs Show Affection?

Both genders are affectionate but the level of affection that’s given and required tends to vary. Although females don’t shy away from affection, male labradors are known to be more affectionate. The difference between them is subtle and generally reflects because of the independent nature of the females.

The male labs approach their humans for affection while the females prefer their humans coming to them. Treats could be a potential reason for a male lab being affectionate. They often tend to show more exuberance and affection when there are treats at hand. Females love treats but they are less likely to be more affectionate for those.

Who Is More Aggressive?

It would be surprising for someone to hear that their labrador is showing aggressive behavior; whether it’s a male or a female. Irrespective of their gender, labradors are non-aggressive dog breeds and that’s one of the important reasons why they are preferred as children-friendly, family pets.

However, you can see some aggressive behaviors from time to time but it happens only for a good reason and very rarely. Male labradors get aggressive when they feel protective of their belongings like toys, food, space, or humans. Female labs show aggression generally to only other female dogs.

How Male And Female Labs Show Dominance?

Generally, labradors have no interest in showing their dominance. Pet owners often confuse their lab’s personality to be a dominance issue. A male or female labrador very rarely bullies their owners or pin other dogs. Most of such behavior can be corrected with little training.

When dominant, a male labrador holds his tail stiff and very high while wagging it back and forth in a purposeful manner. This means he is confident and trying to say that he won’t back down. When showing dominance, they don’t bare their teeth or show any other signs of aggression.

Female labradors have a more intellectual and independent way of showing dominance. They often push the boundaries of the “pecking order” by nudging and being demanding or pushing the toys away. They may return to an activity or area despite being told not to.

Hopefully, these details help you understand the basic difference between male and female labradors.