I'm a first time dog owner, I have a male collie-lab mix. Just turned 7 months. And I noticed the same thing as you. My dog always crouched down a little bit (more leaning forward then anything) to pee. Which I noted as being a more female stance. I figured that lifting the leg up was learned by watching other male dogs.
Recently, within the last 2-3 weeks I've seen him lift his leg up a couple times, usually when marking territory. I don't know if he learned it from another dog or just grew into it. And I don't know if it's going to replace his squating with time.
Personally I don't care how he does it, as long as it's outside. I have yet to have anyone comment, and I would find it odd if someone did.