[BowWowMeow]

All of my female dogs have been spayed between 5 and 6 months. As far as I can tell it has had no adverse affects. My gsd lived to be almost 12 despite a zillion health problems (she had about every problem gsds get!) and Chama is 12.5. Both were extremely active throughout their lives.

I not positive when Basu was neutered but I think he was between 6 months and 1 year. One of his nicknames was humpty-dumpty because he would hump people or other dogs when he got overstimulated! He was also very reactive and protective of his space. And he was very "masculine" looking--I know some people are concerned about that.

If I adopted a dog that wasn't spayed or neutered I would still do it when they were young--between 6 months and a year. I haven't seen anything to convince me otherwise and plenty of things to convince me that it's a wise course of action!

 

[BowWowMeow]

Here is Basu who was neutered between 6 months and one year old. He humped, lifted his leg and stuck his thingie out far more than I ever wanted to see it!!!!!! His look is very typical of his lines--W. German.

I wish I had a picture of my brother's gsd mix for contrast. He was never neutered, never humped people or other dogs (unless it was a female in heat but that's another story) and he was tall and leggy---because that's what he looked like!!!!!!!!

 

[BowWowMeow]

Basu is the black and tan guy--neither tall, nor leggy. Very much a "classic" gsd. Shorter and stockier than the American lines. The dog whose face he is chomping is my former foster dog. He was probably 5 months old (Grommit, the former foster) when this was taken so that makes Basu look bigger than he really was).

 

[BowWowMeow]

Originally Posted By: WiniIsmylifewe spayed buddy at age 3 or 4. And wini we are DEFINITLY not spaying. We're going to breed her

I hope all of you that are considering breeding your dog spend a lot of time in the breeding section of this board as well as in the Urgent and Non-Urgent sections of this board. Gsds are a dime a dozen out there, even the really nice ones like this Czech import: http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubb...true#Post811887