Benefits of neutering?

[Zeus101]

My 6 m/o Shepherd Zeus has an appointment on Dec. 17th to get neutered and I'm curious to know some of the benefits. This is my first male dog and really don't know what to expect. I know neutering will prevent him from leaving the yard to find bitches in heat and developing testicular cancer but are there any behavioral changes?

Here's a pic taken last month of Zeus!

[msvette2u]

Males neutered @ 6mos. are less likely to develop the 'nasty' habit of marking, and are easier to deal with in general, for the average pet owner (like myself and probably you).

We left our boy intact a little longer, I think he was 14mos. or so at the time of neuter, but he never became a butt-head teenage boy in the hormone department.
He's a perpetual puppy so never even noticed he was neutered.

[robk]

It is my opinion that the best reason to neuter a dog is to prevent the dog from breeding. Other issues can be managed if you have the inclination.

[Minoli]

I have my first male GSD as well, first dog ever actually. He's 18 months old now, I'm waiting until he's 2-2.5 years old to allow him to fill out more.

If it was up to me, I wouldn't even neuter him. However, one of his testicles hasn't dropped, so I'm getting it done so it doesn't turn cancerous.

[Sunflowers]

Every single reputable breeder I have spoken with or PMd has told me to do it when he is 2.

They have also said to do it because males develop all sorts of problems if left intact longer than that.
But wait until 2.

[Zeus101]

Originally Posted by Sunflowers

Every single reputable breeder I have spoken with or PMd has told me to do it when he is 2.

They have also said to do it because males develop all sorts of problems if left intact longer than that.
But wait until 2.

Does this give the dog more time to mature properly?

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by Zeus101

Does this give the dog more time to mature properly?

12-18mos. is sufficient for dogs to mature. Their testosterone (from the testicles) hits around 8-9mos.

[DJEtzel]

Originally Posted by Zeus101

Does this give the dog more time to mature properly?

YES!

I waited until my first male GSD was 2 before neutering.

[Angelina03]

I don't even want to do it to Rocco. I'm still contemplating. However, my vet suggests that if you're not going to breed (and I'm not), you should neuter. Those that use it (breeding) don't tend to develop problems (cancer) like those that are not bred.


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