Some people have strong opinions on whether it's better to have a male or a female dog. Some folks swear that males are more cuddly and that females are more independent. But poodles (like all dogs) are individuals, and certainly the generalizations don't hold true for all. There are no hard-and-fast rules about gender characteristics. Males do tend to be larger than females (though there's great variance in size in each of the varieties).

If you don't spay or neuter your poodle, gender can make a difference in terms of convenience. Females go into heat every six months or so, which can be messy and inconvenient, especially if you live with male dogs as well. Intact males tend to get into more confrontations with other dogs and to go crazy when females in heat are anywhere within sniffing range. Intact males are also more likely to lift their legs to pee in inappropriate places.

Try to keep an open mind about gender. Since both genders are great, try to choose a poodle based on personality and on whether he is a good match for your family. The gender of the poodle you adopt may be due to what the breeder or rescue group has available. Both male and female poodles make terrific pets.