When to neuter a "working dog"

[VonKromeHaus]

Originally Posted by Liesje

Pros and cons any way you do it so I'd let the owners decide what's best. I've never had problems with my intact males and they train, play, compete, and show with intact females (yes even ones in standing heat, as that is allowed in conformation and certain performance events). My "butthead" happens to be my mix who was neutered around 3 months old. He's my humper too. Nikon, my adult intact male has never humped anything. If a female is in standing heat and he's got his snout in her you know what or is lingering where she marked or dripped then he will drool and chatter but I don't let him do this and it's not like he's trying to drag me out of the house or across a field to get to a female. Honestly it's just never been an issue, other than just having general control over a dog and training a dog manners in public and around other dogs.

Excellent Post!!!!

[Jag]

My male was intact until he was at least 4. I never had any issues with him. Since the dog is still with you and undergoing training (and I think you said you don't fix dogs when they're with you)... I would explain your policy to them and tell them that it's best to allow his training to be completed. Then AFTER they've taken possession of the dog, the choice is up to them. Ask why they are wanting the boy to be fixed so early. Maybe they're going by myths or other people's horror stores. Especially if they're first time GSD owners. I don't know if I will neuter my new boy at all. I want all that testosterone for training purposes. I've had experience in keeping intact males from females, though. It can be done. You want to really understand where they're coming from, but I see no reason to violate your own rules for them. Besides, what happens if they suddenly want to not take the dog after all of this training? If he turns out to be a fabulous sport or protection prospect, it could come back to bite you.

[ladylaw203]

Neutering does not stop marking etc. That has to do with the individual dog. The worst dog I ever trained that marked everything was neutered as a pup. There is some new research with regard to neutering young. I will post a link later when I locate it:-)

[ladylaw203]

Canine Sports Productions: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by ladylaw203

Canine Sports Productions: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete

And here is the rebuttal to that one study.
http://www.columbusdogconnection.com...ebuttal%20.pdf

[ladylaw203]

The bottom line is that neutering does not change temperament. There is just no real reason to do it unless ones dog is loose with unspayed females. I have had dogs, horses,cattle, etc etc my whole life and never had an accidental pregnancy with dogs nor livestock.

[DFrost]

I'm a chauvinistic dog trainer. Females are spayed before they are entered into training. Males are not unless advised medically advised to the contrary.

DFrost

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by DFrost

I'm a chauvinistic dog trainer. Females are spayed before they are entered into training. Males are not unless advised medically advised to the contrary.

DFrost

[Elektra2167]

All our working dogs are intact, male or female. Unless there is a specific reason to neuter them, we don't. We do find some handlers prefer their dogs neutered, that is their choice, but we have never had a problem working a male or female intact. And yes all our boys learn they have to work around the girls. They may not like it initially, but they learn to work through it.