Age to Neuter Puppy

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by Freestep

It's unlikely that you'll have dominance issues between your male and your female. If you had two males, I might worry about it.

Most people who aren't interested in breeding or dog sports have their males neutered between 6-9 months. Usually by 8 or 9 months, hormones are starting to flow, and some folks don't want to deal with intact teenage dog issues so they neuter before that.

Neutering won't stunt growth, in fact it can make dogs grow a little bit taller and more leggy if done before maturity. Intact dogs mature to be a bit stouter, with thicker bones and wider heads.

There are some studies that indicate neutering later is better for the dog's bones and joints, especially if that dog is bound to be a canine athelete. If he is just going to be a household pet and not doing a lot of hard exercise and training, it may not be an issue.

There are certain cancers that may be a higher risk if the dog is neutered, and others that are a higher risk if the dog *isn't* neutered. Talk to your vet about this. I know, it's confusing. Suffice to say that most people opt for neutering at some point if they aren't interested in breeding, and I think it's a good idea for the average pet owner. When you choose to do it is up to you.

[MaggieRoseLee]

When to spay/neuter? 6 months? 18 months? Never?

Great info to look at on that site. I also like to wait until my dogs are over a year (18 months even better) before spaying/neutering.

[Justaguy]

Great info...

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Sunflowers

My other dog was not neutered until he was about 10, and that was because an idiot vet decided to do it without any kind of request or permission on my part. The dog was never the same after that. All he wanted to do was sleep.

I am thinking that the neutering did not have anything to do with your dog wanting to sleep, I think that is age just caught up with him. My GSD has a strong drive and that hasn't changed since she has been fixed..she definitely does not sleep all the time My golden is going to be 3 and he is just as focused and ready to go as the next golden.

[Sunflowers]

Originally Posted by llombardo

I am thinking that the neutering did not have anything to do with your dog wanting to sleep, I think that is age just caught up with him.

He was fine before he went in. He lived to be almost 19, so he had quite a bit more aging to do.

This was a direct result of the surgery, and I took it all the way to the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine. So it was discussed a lot, and the vet got fined.

[msvette2u]

Sunflowers, I've seen testicular cancers and also anal cancers in older intact boys. In fact we haven't had a senior intact animal without a reproductive tract cancer (including mammaries) that caused their early death, usually after we take them in for a check up and find out they have cancer.

I'm sorry your vet apparently took the initiative, that's never right
But he may have been healthier for the neuter. 19 is a LONG life!

[Sunflowers]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

Sunflowers, I've seen testicular cancers and also anal cancers in older intact boys. In fact we haven't had a senior intact animal without a reproductive tract cancer (including mammaries) that caused their early death, usually after we take them in for a check up and find out they have cancer.

If that is the case, then I would consider neutering, but not too early and certainly not too late. As for Hans, it's in my contract, so it will need to get done.

So what age do you think it's best to do it, after, say 2?
3? Later?

[msvette2u]

Personally I like 18mos. We just had Ruger neutered and he was 13-14? mos.

But 18mos-2yrs. should be just fine. He's benefited from the testosterone by 12mos. or so anyway

He will do fine I am sure!

[Sunflowers]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

But 18mos-2yrs. should be just fine. He's benefited from the testosterone by 12mos. or so anyway

Good to know, thank you.
Oh, he has benefited, all right. He is powerful as an ox and just as stubborn right now. If I were one to let him have his way he would rule this house.
Ha!
Nice try, teenage butthead. Not with me in charge, you don't.

[msvette2u]

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