Just trying to get a general concensus of how old y'all think a male should be before you neuter him? Some say wait for him to fill out, others don't think it makes a difference.
I wouldn't neuter until 18 months to 2 years of age for the reason you mentioned. However, if for whatever reason you need to neuter him younger it's obviously not going to hurt anything.
A pretty contoversial question, but there seems to be an agreement regarding not to neuter a gsd before 1.5 yo. The reason is to wait him complete his growth, especially boney growth. They say early neutering increase the incidence of bone tumors in male dogs. So, I don't know. But I'm not planning to neuter mine. So, GL..
I'm not neutering Kodee til he's at least 2-1/2, or 3 yrs. If at all. He's indoors, and with me at all times if outdoors - so no unwanted pups from him. We had GSD's all my life growing up, and the only one that didn't look like a nice, filled out masculine one (they were all males), was the one that got neutered at 7 mos. The others were intact, and were gorgeous. The neutered one got VERY tall, and had a very feminine narrow head/face.
Plus, I just don't like the idea of putting Kodee under general if it isn't necessary. I may get him neutered after age 3 or so, as my vet does say it helps prevent not just testicular cancer, but prostate problems as well...
Her vet, as great as she is, just does not seem to understand this. Every time we go, she asks when we'll be spaying her, and gives us a printed up estimate.
Last time I kindly asked her not to waste their paper on me.
My mixed breed, Rocket, wasn't neutered until he was 3 years old. He'd been hit by a car twice (long story) and had been through enough that I just didn't want to put him through any more. I thought getting him neutered would make him friendlier with other male dogs, but that didn't work!!
Anyway, guess as long as there's no issues, I'll keep him intact. At least till he's past 18 months.
His hormones started to rage??? At eight months??? You mean he became a teenager? So you neutered him?
Did it work?
Everyone I talk to that neuters because of behavioral issues is disappointed, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work ever.
Ok, calming down now, we usually do encourage a neuter for serious behavioral issues, but that is more because the dog is not a good representative of the breed and should not be used for breeding. When you have an intact dog, even if it is not a good breeding prospect, when someone offers you a stud fee, the temptation is not there to go ahead and breed him anyway.
Bad temperament is one of the only reasons I might neuter or spay. I can keep my lot separated, but if I die and someone else gets the dog/bitch, and they go ahead and breed it, it is the only thing that pretty much guarantees the puppies a doubtful life. Health problems will be tolerated, not performing well in conformation or performance will not necessarily land a dog in a shelter. And even if it does, the dog will still be adoptable. Poor temperament is a liability not only for the owners, but for the breed itself.
If I neutered my dog, what would I have left to threaten him with when he is a pookey????
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