Cavachons are sweet, bubby furry friends to keep, and regardless of the age, they are always a breeze to have. But, you may wonder if there are any differences between males and females, and if so, how they affect your relationship with your Cavachon.
Generally, there are no noticeable differences between the male and the female Cavachon. However, they are anatomically different, which could affect how your Cavachon behaves and relates to you.
Below, you will understand the slight differences between male and female Cavachons. By the end of the article, you will see the sex that works well for your preference and overall lifestyle.
Does the Sex of Your Cavachon Matter?
If you are getting your first ever Cavachon, you may be conflicted on the sex to go for. While this is a valid concern, it should not be a guiding factor in the sex of the dog you choose.
The sex of the dog has very little or no bearing on the dog’s suitability as a pet. The idea is to meet the specific Cavachon you are eyeing, interact with it and gauge its behavior and temperament.
When we got our Cavachon, Kirby, we first spent some time with him and instantly fell in love. My wife and I felt that his personality matched exactly what we were looking for.
At the time, there were both female and male Cavachons, all friendly and gentle, but we settled on Kirby mainly because we did not want to deal with the menstruations that female dogs go through.
The menstrual cycle can be a little overwhelming, especially if you have a busy schedule. But, the good thing is that it does not often happen, so you can hack after the first few times. The American Kennel Club states that I can take your dog up to 24 months to develop a regular cycle.
When your dog is in heat, there are few behavioral and physical changes, but they are all manageable. So, if you prefer a female Cavachon to a male one, you can still get one.
The suitability of a dog depends on other factors such as energy levels. You want to ensure that you can tend to your dog’s energy needs and handle the bouts of energy as you manage other aspects of your life.
The compatibility of dogs with humans is not much about the sex but how the dog is socialized, trained, and adapted. That means the environment the dog has grown in and the practices it has adapted to have a significant influence on how suitable it is for your lifestyle.
Male vs. Female Cavachon- The Differences Explained
As much as sex has little to do with the Cavachon you choose for your family, there are a few differences worth noting. Remember, you need to understand your Cavachon in detail, including what goes on in its body and how you can manage the different changes.
Anatomical Differences
Male and female dogs have different reproductive systems, including the appearance of their genitals. In addition to this, there are a few physical differences you might want to consider. Typically, male dogs tend to grow larger than female ones, both in weight and height.
So, if you are looking for a smaller dog, you might want to get a female Cavachon. But, it is essential to note that the size is not significantly different between both genders. All the same, you can expect your male Cavachon to have a few pounds and inches more than a female one.
On the other side, female dogs tend to reach maturity faster than male dogs. Therefore, male Cavachons maintain the ‘puppy’ personality longer than females. That said, it may be easier to train a female Cavachon than a male of the same age.
The bottom line is many biological differences between female and male dogs are tied to the hormones they develop as they grow. Hormones can influence a dog’s behavior; however, spaying or neutering the dog will solve most of the behavioral concerns you may have.
Hormonal Differences
As mentioned, hormones develop as the dogs grow; therefore, puppies of both genders typically have no hormonal differences. These hormones have a significant influence on the dog’s behavior, which is why most owners choose to spay or neuter their dogs.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, spaying and neutering have several benefits. A major one is that these two procedures eliminate the dog’s ability to reproduce, which helps to reduce the overpopulation of dogs.
Another significant benefit is the procedures prevent the development of sex-associated traits and behavior, keeping dogs in check.
Male dogs undergo neutering, a medical procedure to remove the testes. Female dogs are spayed, a medical procedure to remove the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes. In simpler terms, these procedures render the reproductive systems irrelevant.
If your female Cavachon is not spayed, it will likely experience estrus twice a year. This heat cycle results in the dog’s body producing a secretion that attracts male dogs.
If you want to keep your female Cavachon intact, it would be ideal to keep it away from males during the heat cycle. If your Cavachon is spayed, it will not experience the heat cycle; therefore, it will not be interested in male dogs.
The same goes for male dogs. Your unneutered Cavachon will most likely mark its territory. You will have to deal with the multiple peeing episodes that it will undergo to mark everything.
Additionally, your unneutered Cavachon may mount people and other dogs and could easily escape to find a mate. This can be a little too much to handle, not forgetting the risks of the dog endangering itself in the process. The ultimate solution would be to neuter your male dog.
Health Differences
In addition to reducing the population of dogs, spaying or neutering your dog comes with excellent health benefits.
Spaying your female Cavachon can help prevent health issues such as uterine infections while neutering male dogs can protect against benign prostate hyperplasia and testicular cancer.
These conditions are specific to the different sexes, so if you choose not to spay or neuter, you can expect to deal with these. While there are diseases common in dogs that have been spayed or neutered, the benefits outweigh the risks associated with the procedures.
It is important to note that the timing of the procedure can affect your dog’s health. Most vets advise spaying or neutering early on before puberty to prevent the development of undesirable behavior.
While this has proven successful for most dogs, it is advisable to wait until your Cavachon reaches physical maturity. Dogs spayed or neutered later have fewer orthopedic issues and are less likely to develop some types of cancers.
Behavioral Differences
Other than mating behavior, there are not many differences in behavior between female and male dogs. Male dogs are often seen as more aggressive than female dogs, but that is far from true. The extent of aggression of your Cavachon highly depends on how the dog is trained and not the sex.
The environment your dog is adapted to has a significant role in the behaviors it develops more than the sex it comes in. For example, if your Cavachon was trained and socialized as a puppy, it is less likely to portray undesirable behavior than one that missed training earlier.
In addition to this, if you have more than one dog, the behavior patterns may be different between dogs of the same sex and those of different sexes. Generally, dogs tend to get along better with others of the opposite sex than those of the same sex.
There is nothing much to this, but the slight differences in sexes help keep a balance. So, if you have a male dog and are looking to add a Cavachon, it would be advisable to get a female. Again, creating a balance between the sexes can help create a more peaceful relationship.
Which One Should You Choose? Male or Female?
The choice between a male and female Cavachon entirely depends on your preference. The dog’s sex is relatively insignificant when looking for a new dog. Meeting the dog, understanding its past experiences, and considering how the dog fits in your lifestyle is the ultimate guide.
The idea is to ensure that your new Cavachon has a desirable personality, is manageable in terms of activity levels, and is friendly. The goal is to ensure your Cavachon syncs with your lifestyle and seamlessly integrates into your family.
A few points to note:
- Male and female dogs may sometimes deal with different health issues.
- The behavior can vary between male and female dogs, especially if not neutered or spayed.
- Ultimately, spaying or neutering your Cavachon may be the best solution to mating-related behaviors it may develop later in life.
Final Thoughts
A male Cavachon is as sweet, bubbly, and friendly as a female Cavachon. The sex has little to do with how your Cavachon relates to you and settles in their new environment. As long as you like the dog’s personality and energy, and it meets your preferences, then any can do
