Neutering Age?

[Oskar der Drachen]

Hey all,

Newbie questions. I had a search and a read through some of the development threads about Neutering, and the best answer I could come up with from them to this point was Neutering is appropriate after full growth of the dog.

Right. What age or developmental stage is Full Growth in a male GSD?

What should I be looking for?

I have yet to get Bear, he is five weeks old now and I will be bringing him home November 12th.

I have two dogs, a large neutered male Lab cross who is eight, and a small spayed female Foxie cross who is 13. Both SPCA dogs, Fred abandoned as a pup, Vixen adopted from an elderly couple.

[msvette2u]

Everyone here seems to say 18mos. is a good age.
We have a rescued boy who is intact and we'll neuter him at around 1yr. old though. If he's still behaving and not acting like a love-struck nerd at that age, we may try to make it to 18mos.

[Oskar der Drachen]

Thank You!

[msvette2u]

Remember to not let him wander (which I doubt you will, but still, things have surprised me before) and keep him away from intact females during the time in which he becomes mature

[Konotashi]

I wouldn't neuter a male before 2 years old, maybe 3, but that's just me.

[Oskar der Drachen]

Originally Posted by Konotashi

I wouldn't neuter a male before 2 years old, maybe 3, but that's just me.

Is that for developmental reasons? One of the opinions I had was not before two years old to allow for all the muscle and bone development. The chest finishes widening, and the bones finishes developing by that point.

Others say that is just for horses...

What are your reasons?

[MountainGSDs]

The next two questions should be what is the best dog food or barf and then should I train 100% positive, compulsion or mix it up. LOL

There is NO perfect time to neuter, each has benefits and disadvantages. I have owned and raised a dozen dogs, all German Shepherds from various lines. All have been neutered and the age varied from 5 months to 3 years and have found no difference.
The youngest neutered turned out to be the most masculine, looking, top end of the size standard with a rock solid temperament. No problems with any of the others though either.

"Real" experts (not just those like us that play expert on the net) with reliable studies and peer to peer reviews still can't agree on this subject so good luck........

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by MountainGSDs

"Real" experts (not just those like us that play expert on the net) with reliable studies and peer to peer reviews still can't agree on this subject so good luck........

The problem is that there are no reliable, peer-reviewed veterinary studies on this subject. Even if vets knew for a fact that neutering in adulthood was best for the dog, many vets wouldn't advocate it because it's not best for the population.

[doggiedad]

i've never had my dogs neutered.

[MountainGSDs]

Originally Posted by Emoore

Even if vets knew for a fact that neutering in adulthood was best for the dog, many vets wouldn't advocate it because it's not best for the population.

I don't buy that, it's an anecdotal statement used to discredit veterinary advise.
Not all vets bow to peer pressure and I have to believe in my over 40+ years with the breed that more vets are straight forward then many would believe.

Originally Posted by Emoore

The problem is that there are no reliable, peer-reviewed veterinary studies on this subject.

If that is the case then there is no answer to the op's question one way or the other.