To neuter or not neuter??

[Kayzr]

Our golden retriever is 9 months old and we are debating if we should get him done. We have no intention on ever breeding him or showing him so we don't have to keep him entire for that reason.

I have read that getting them done to early can muck up their hormones but when would be the best age?

[Pisky]

Ask your Vet maybe? Probably depends on the breed as different size dogs mature at different rates.

[Wants3]

My dog changed overnight after his op(for the better) he calmed down,stopped marking everywhere etc. I was reluctant to have him done but so glad now I did. He was under a year old but he is a small terrier. My vets were very helpful and talked everything through before I made my final decision.

[melliebobs]

we got our terrier done at 6 months in an attempt to calm him down. It did to an extent. We also did it that young cos it wouldn't really phase him. The only hormone-ie thing we waited on was something my husband read that apparantly if you got your dog nutered before they cocked their leg to wee (as opposed to squatting) they would never do it. And i wanted my dog to wee like a man!

[AandK]

My non breeding dog ws done at 7 months.

I think if a dog isn't for breeding then get them done.

[kid]

My dog isn't for breeding but will not be neutered but thats for personal reasons.

I'd say discuss it with your vet and if you are happy with their response then go for it

[DoesItWearingWellies]

I would definitely neuter. As to what age, there is some differing in opinion on the right age. Some people say 6 months (as soon as possible, and often before the dog has reached puberty) and others say between 18-24 months, so the dog has had time to mature mentally.

As for the whole "if they're younger they won't remember it" argument, they are going to get over the operation in about 2 days anyway, whether 6 months or 24, and won't even realise they are missing their testicles!

Our boys were neutered at 22 months and 17 months (younger dog was being a pest towards our older dog so we took the decision to do it earlier. Within 6 weeks he had calmed down immensely).

Unless you are experiencing hormone related behaviours (aggression/innappropriate urine marking/excessive randiness etc) then I'd try and hold off for at least another 9 months.

[DoesItWearingWellies]

forgot to add Also, as a golden retriever is a larger breed of dog, he will grow slower and reach maturity (physically, mentally and sexually) later than smaller breeds of dog, so waiting until he is 24 months old would be preferable.

[alice15]

I did a longish answer about this a couple of days ago - I'll bump the thread.