Behavior of intact vs neutered - Page 1

I'm really curious about this and what others have to share based on their experiences.  I grew up with female dogs.  My parents did breed a couple times, but I never spent much time around the males.  My experience has always been with spayed and neutered dogs for the most part.  My current boy was regrettfully neutered around 8 months per the advice of biased or illinformed vets and friends.  Having researched, I would not do an early neuter again.  But I'm very curious about those of you who have experienced living with both intact and neutered males and how you feel their behaviors differed.  What pros and cons did you notice on either side.  I'm especially interested in those living in the home in more of a family environment as opposed to dogs which were mostly kenneled when not being worked.  I'm wondering about things like marking, social behavior, etc.  As a rule, have you found intact males to be less social with other dogs, or unable to be around other intact males?  I no longer believe all of the things that vets tell you about the effects of spay/neuter.

Oops, mods this was supposed to go to main.  Could you please move it?  Thanks!

I have both intact and neutered dogs plus I trial all the time in different sports and can tell you there is zero difference. There is no way you can tell if a dog is neutered or not by their behavior either. You could sit at an agility trial and watch hundreds of dogs run and you would never know which was which, the same goes for other sports too.

Don't believe the hype for or against early neutering as it all depends on you, the dog, and your circumstances as for what is best in each situation.

There is more than just behavior changes caused by neutering, early or not. There are a lot of articles describing the adverse health effects caused by S/ N.

I've read a bunch if those studies. I've also seen many early spay/neuter dogs become taller or more lanky as compared to their parents. My guy has ended up with bilateral elbow dysplasia and a partially torn ACL. I often wonder about his knee and earlier neutering. His elbows were likely already bad as he limped a lot as a pup and his breeder chalked it up to pano.

I'm just not as familiar with the so called behavioral differences. For those that claim marking as one of them, I would argue that the vast majority of neutered male dogs I've seen still mark a lot. To me, that seems like a training issue. What about obedience and focus? Tougher in an intact male who might be more scent oriented? Is there actually a stronger desire to escape and roam?

I have seen castrated dogs and horses breed receptive females.....including castrated male dogs having a tie with the bitch.

So do you suggest to your puppy buyers that they keep their dogs intact as adults?

I void my guarantee if they're neutered or spayed. I've worked too hard to produce healthy pups to have them ruined. 

I do suggest they not neuter, pediatric s/n is a no no. Spay after first heat...better than unwanted pups, what's worth what.

Gurantee is 24 mos. After that, they can do what they want, but I'll be damned if I'm going to guarantee them without all their parts.