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Neutering male dog - age?

18 replies

KatharineClifton · 01/10/2014 02:20

I've read so much now and can't make a decision at all.

I have a FCR x from a rescue who is still entire. He's been with us for 6 weeks now. I did book him in at 4 weeks to be done because we were going to a holiday park and I thought it would be the best thing - but as he ate an apple core outside the vets when we were waiting to be booked in (I was asked to take him out because he was barking Hmm ) I then left and went home. It was a bloody stupid idea all round and I was doing what I thought I should instead of best for the dog.

The rescue said he was around 2 but they didn't know really and he was in a kennel there for 3 weeks and a week in the pound previously, but he seems a lot younger (even taking into account being FCR). I think he is closer to 1.

So, what is the best age? There is no rush anymore, and I will want him neutered at some point as no need for any more unwanted pups/dogs. He's my 3rd rescue but first male and most definitely the youngest! Research says maybe wait until 2 or older because of health problems down the line with neutering before this age. He doesn't spray, has only had 'words' with one dog when out and about so that doesn't seem to be a problem. Doesn't seem to be dominant - but obviously his full personality is yet to be seen over the next few months. Research I've read says behaviour isn't really linked with neutering any more apart from a when a dog is submissive and neutering emphasises this and makes it a bigger problem.

It's hard to shake the firm adherence to neutering asap as a responsible owner - but research seems to have moved away from that now.

He's a fabulous dog all in all, no manners, no signs of being a wanderer which is common in pound dogs I believe, and fast to learn. Very food and ball orientated Grin and makes me laugh a lot. He is helping me immensely with grieving over my girl who died in August un-expectantly - diagnosed with cancer and gone in a week.

Anyway, anyone have advice, or just fancy telling me what to do so I can stop mulling it over? Cheers. Smile

OP posts:
soddinghormones · 01/10/2014 09:01

Well no one can tell you what to do, just give you their experience/opinion (which is what I'm going to do!)

We had our puppy (medium breed so not quite the same level of concern as large breeds) neutered at 8.5 months. He had started humping obsessively and marking indoors (not our house but other people's Blush) and was constantly being picked on by other male dogs.

Our vet said if we were going to neuter him for behavioural reasons we should do it sooner rather than later before the humping and marking became entrenched habits.

Within 2 weeks of the op the humping and marking had disappeared and he was no longer being attacked in the park. He is still the happy, friendly completely non-aggressive dog he was before so for us it was absolutely the right decision

Helgathehairy · 01/10/2014 14:25

What's FCR?

I'm dithering as well over whether to get my Goldie done. I was going to get him done at 6 months because that's what you do but when I looked into the research I saw I shouldn't get him done before 18 months.

He's 2.5 now and I still haven't got it done. He's the happiest bouncy dog and I just love his personality. He does mark a lot though which gets annoying on walks.

I'm not sure either!

KatharineClifton · 01/10/2014 17:47

Flat Coat Retriever - similar to a Goldie but thinner and blacker. But as he's a cross he's bigger and shorter haired. Can't quite decide whether he has collie/GSD/Lab - any or all in him. It's a pain to know what to do though Helga. From what I've read after 2 is fine and takes away all possible testicle problems. But everything seems to be contradicting each other.

Ah, interesting soddinghormones, so behaviour is still a factor.

Thanks both.

OP posts:
Helgathehairy · 01/10/2014 18:04

Any chance you're friends on facebook with black retriever rescue?? She had a good post a while back on the benefits of not neutering. I had almost decided to get it done and changed my mind again after reading that.

I'll see if I can find it.

KatharineClifton · 01/10/2014 19:41

I've seen that, yes. They got a lot of flak for that but it was very sensible. www.facebook.com/BlackRetrieverXRescue/posts/794917943863195

So trying to resist applying for Cleo! I have the hooligan to sort out first...

OP posts:
Helgathehairy · 01/10/2014 20:25

Cleo is very beautiful but it's Sandy that really pulls at my heartstrings. Makes me feel ashamed of Ireland's attitute to dogs.

Bartlebee · 01/10/2014 20:29

We had ours done at 9 months, which was when he started regularly cocking his leg.

He's a mini schnauzer.

KatharineClifton · 01/10/2014 20:40

Can this marking/cocking leg start at any age or if it hasn't started between ages 1-2 will it not happen?

OP posts:
Bubble2bubble · 01/10/2014 20:57

KatherineClifton Cleo could be a very nice stabilising influence on your boy ;)

I have always been firmly in the early neutering camp and have never had a dog or cat over 6 months who was not neutered.
However, my recent foster came to me aged about two and neutering has definitely made him a bit unsure of himself, to the point of starting fights with entire males. I think he is improving, but it's been a tricky few weeks and has made me think a lot about the neutering argument.

JadeJ123 · 02/10/2014 07:46

My last male was neutered at 6 months due to dominance. And the one before that was neutered at 9 months.

mrslaughan · 02/10/2014 10:37

I have a giant breed - entire male. The bigger the breed (my understanding) the longer you should leave it to let them fully develop - i.e. growth plates close.

Ours is a stud dog - so unless health reasons, won't be done. However if he had failed his health screens, I don't know whether I would have had him done..there are some studies coming out of the states showing health benefits for keeping them entire. I know many on here believe every dog should be neutered, but as a responsible dog owner, who does not let my dog roam, the chance of him fathering an undesired litter is negligible.

The only downside of having an entire male is that very occasionally other dogs take exception to him, but this is occasional.

He does mark a lot out on walks though, I have a general rule that this is not allowed on lead, but can do it as much as he likes off lead.....and he always has a large portion of his walks off lead.

Midori1999 · 02/10/2014 14:34

There are a lot less pros for neutering male dogs than bitches. The health benefits aren't as clear cut and most things that people claim are solved by neutering can also be solved by either decent training or responsible management. Plus, there are risks to any surgery, especially if it involves a general.

For most people though and most dogs, neutering makes life easier. It's just one less thing to worry about as not everyone with entire bitches acts responsibly. In a large breed then waiting until after 2 seems like a good idea, but you could discuss it with your vet if they are open minded.

cantthinkofanewnameatall · 02/10/2014 17:33

Will it be the case that almost all dogsitters (at their homes not mine) and walkers won't take an entire dog after a certain age?

KatharineClifton · 03/10/2014 16:26

My dog sitter is fine with it can'tthink so it's individual preference really. I'd of thought the insurance would be more expensive with an entire dog, but it's actually the same neutered or un-neutered.

I think I'll give him over the winter and see how it goes. He'll at least be over 2 by then. And see how it goes next spring.

Bubble2bubble I think so too about Cleo Grin

Thank you everyone for your help.

OP posts:
KatharineClifton · 07/10/2014 17:49

I spoke to a young vet today who is up on research today and she doesn't think there is much in it and recommends neutering between 6 and 24 months if possible.

OP posts:
Helgathehairy · 07/10/2014 19:07

Katharine any idea why up to 24 months? My boy is 30 months now.

KatharineClifton · 07/10/2014 21:24

I didn't ask Helga, I assumed it was for bone growth in bigger dogs.

OP posts:
BuffyBotRebooted · 08/10/2014 11:45

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