What is the best age to neuter Dog? - Page 1

 My one dog is 14months is this a good age or should i wait?

I think 14 months is a bit young - I usually wait until somewhere between 2 and 3 years, basically for developmental purposes, as I am not interested in breeding. However this carries with it the responsibility of never allowing my boys ANY chance to roam around looking for action! It's something you do have to give some thought to. I'm not saying you should wait as long as I plan to - most of the people I know think about 17 months is O.K.

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

I would agree with the assement of complications of spay and neutering at a young age. I was "spayed" at a young age (30) due to complications in delivery. Six months after, thyroid had to be removed. This put my body chemistry into topsy turvey for over 1 year. Now that I have aged like a fine wine, I have found other issues due to the early changes. I have in the past when not breeding a dog, had them done early, not anymore.

Once a dogs growth plates are fully formed/closed, then it is acceptable to nueter/spay them.

I would say, that if you have to, now is fine.

However, I am not a big advocate of speutering unless contractually warrented or there is another physical reason.

Wait for about 6 more months .

Castration at any age comes with some risk of psychological disturbance and permanent changes in behavior.

If you can tolerate his assertiveness, don't do it at all.

If you can't keep him away from intact females, find him a new home.  That is not hard for a responsible dog owner.

If he becomes behaviorally intolerable, and your training skills are overwhelmed, find help.

Only if you fail then, should you neuter.

This is just an opinion, of course.

MVF i agree

Castration won't affect his "assertivenss"  or drives.  It will curtail hormone-driven behaviors.  I would wait until two. My dog is neutered.  No psychological disturbances or changes in behavior-except sexual drives.  My next male I won't neuter unless a health issue makes it unwise to keep him intact.  Some people get their dog a vasectomy to maintain the importance of the hormones without accidental breedings.

The GSD is unique in that it's growth platelets do not close ''till around 18 months.This also allows the dogs to "mature" look wise. Nice full head etc. There are lots of schools of thought as to why or why not neuter, One thing neutering tends to curb is wandering. Males have a tendancy to be a bit more aloof or independent than females.This is of course a generalization. Also, from a health point of view, it is thought that neutering reduces the risk of testicular cancer for one.I neutered my dogs at 2 years.

1doggie2, my sympathies........at 39, I went through "the change" as a result of trauma to my spine. Also deal with thyroid and parathyroid diseases.Topsy turvy is just the tip of that perilous ice berg.lol.

Regards,

Ravenhawk

Hey guys is this talk painful? I noticed several enjoying the excited 7 mo. male puppy thread, Perhaps if you're feeling any pain you can refer back to that thread for some "feel good" reading.