Trying to choose the gender of your new puppy can be a difficult decision. I suggest try not to have a strong preference on gender. Keep an open mind and choose a puppy with a personality compatible to you and your family not just one with the gender or color you prefer. As time goes by you will find that issues of color or gender are not as important as finding a Cavalier that fits in perfect with your lifestyle. If you are planning on owning a pet quality puppy your Cavalier will be spayed or neutered making gender much less or an issue. Your Cavalier, male or female will be a devoted companion to you and your family.

Many people believe that female’s make better pets than males. People don't think females display alpha behaviors and believe that they are more docile and attentive. That is not always true, in the dog pack makeup females usually are the alpha dog. Females, as a result are more independent, stubborn and territorial than their male counterparts. A female will go into heat unless she is spayed. Seasonal heats can be a month long nightmare, twice a year starting as early as six months of age. If you are not breeding or showing, have her spayed since during her heat cycle she will leave a bloody discharge on carpets, couches or anywhere she goes. She will be particularly moody and emotional during this time. A walk outside during this period can become hazardous if male dogs are in the vicinity and she will leave a "scent" for wandering intact males to follow right to your yard. Research has also proven that a female NOT bred during a heat cycle stays in a flux of estrogen level which may give us the reason as to why intact females are more moody than males.

Males are usually more affectionate, less moody and more demanding of attention. They are very attached to their people and are as loving if not more loving than most females. Cavaliers do not exhibit the strong gender differences seen in other breeds. Neutered males rarely exhibit secondary sexual behavior such as "humping" or "marking". Once the testosterone levels recede after neutering, most of these behaviors (if they ever existed) will disappear. Males also generally cost half the price to have neutered as a female to be spayed. Cavalier breeders all say, your girls love you while your males are in love with you.

Before you decide on that age old dilemma of male or female, remember Cavaliers just love their people no matter what their gender and spaying or neutering your Cavalier is the best thing for them as well as you. It can prolong their life and make them a more devoted pet with only you on their mind. Both Male and Female Cavaliers make wonderful companions. As a breed they are super affectionate, well rounded and in my opinion the best breed you will ever share your life with.