It may seem sexest, and unfair.... but as a rule I only fix my females. I do have two neutered males but they come to me that way. I just don't want to have to deal with the heat cycles, or deal with puppies. I live too far away from others to worry about my males doing any unauthorized breeding.

 

If I had a male from a good breeder that had potential as a stud down the road I'd likely keep him intact. Same story for a female, but it would not really be my decision, I'd defer to the breeder on that matter. I have no business doing my own breeding, not enough knowledge in that arena. Also, when I say good breeder I mean someone that knows what they are doing, does it right and is in the biz for the love of the breed above monetary gain.

Since I'm a rescue type fella, I just get the bits removed to make life easier all around. I might treat myself to a high-end PB from a breeder someday, and I'll make that call at the time as the situation warrants.

 

I'm like the other people on here, I haven't neutered and was planning on doing it at 2 years old. But we haven't had any issues, he listens really well, and he shows no aggression due to having extra testosterone. I love his work ethic, I can keep him in check, so I don't think he'll be getting neutered at all.

Now the next one in a few years will be a female and will be spayed as soon as she's out of her first heat...unless I start doing conformation. But most likely won't and she'll get spayed so I don't have to deal with keeping the two apart and heat schedules.

 

Rocket will get neutered because both of his testicles are retained, and as far as I know, his risk of (testicular?) cancer is higher then if he didn't get neutered? But, it won't be for awhile. He's fine. No aggression, minimal marking, never out of my sight. If it weren't for that, he would likely not be neutered.

 

We'll neuter Ruger one of these days. He's not showing any butt-headedness that often goes with adolescence so he's still got his.
But before 2yrs. probably.

 

I'd go straight to the source and not rely on a biased individual to interpret the findings.

 

Yeah, but who is biased here? I can try to find the cited studies and read them but I've not got the D.V.M. after my name.

This is why I never take a some bloggers 'word' on something like this. I verify the source as to the individual's professional status and ability to interpret medical data.

If the article you linked to is correct then the author of the first should be ashamed....because I read your link and it's not just about being 'overblown' it's down right misleading.

(btw there's something similiar going on with vitamin c and it's affect on osteoarthritis in dogs..conflicting opinions amongst vets and Veterinary colleges....)

 

i know this is old, but daym!

if i knew females would mess the house and leave tracks of blood, i wouldve gotten a male...

 

Then you get a male and sometimes they have random accidents where they "mess" everywhere without warning. I've seen it happen a few times. My dog hasn't done it yet though, fingers crossed :blush:.
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Hopefully you guys can help me with my current problem. My GSD is 7 months, Male, intact. The biggest complaint I have is when strangers are close or people who the GSD is not familiar with make eye contact or approach him. He starts barking. No biting but I'm aware it could lead to that further down the road if I make no adjustments now.

And he is easily distracted. Highly food motivated. Perfect around my two daughters who are 8 and 4. He will bark at anyone coming into the door and unless it is someone he knows, which is only about 6 people at best, he will bark. But if the person ignores him he quiets down within the first 5 minutes but here and there if the person does make direct eye contact or thinks it's okay to pet him he will let loose a deep bark. When we walk he lets out a growl if someone gets within 20ft of us. I do live close to rural areas where I let him go off lease when we ware walking in the woods and he will go in front of me no more then 10ft. After that he stops and looks at me and waits till I get about 5ft then he walks 10ft and repeats the same behavior. Always. Unless someone else is on the trail. On our walks he does not walk in front of me and only requires mild corrections. He comes when called about 90% in the house and about 60% outside but if there is a distraction like a person or another dog I lose control. I went to the Vet today so they could give him a look over before the Neutering which is scheduled for Monday. After what I would call nothing less then teasing my dog, they muzzled him. And when I say teasing, I mean the Vet purposely on 3 different times within 10mins would make direct eye contact with my GSD and talk to him like he was baby. Which of course set him off like I have never seen before. But after reading as much as I could about it I am starting to consider canceling it. I need some other people's experiences and wisdom to help me make my choice. Should I neuter and seek professional help or wait on neutering and seek professional help?

 

i always neuter my pets. as for the barking, does he stop and relax when you tell him to?

 

It takes a few corrections. I'm going to throw treats into the mix again I think to help change his attention. I am also posed to make certain I am in my front yard when the school buses come so my GSD can get used to the sight of large numbers of strangers walking past. Any thoughts?

 

Spaying increases the risk of bone cancer, thyroid issues, and hormone imbalance issues.