What age dog castration?

[MrsChatalot]

We are on a waiting list for a golden retriever puppy. DH wants a dog rather than a bitch and I don't mind - temperament is what matters most. The breeder has assured us that the dogs are as affectionate and good with children as the bitches. We wouldn't want to breed from the dog so would have either sex neutered. What age is the best or usual age for a male dog to be castrated? Is it a day procedure usually?

Most vets do it around about 6 months old, but ring your local vet to ask what their policy is as some are now starting to neuter earlier. It would usually be a day procedure yes.

6-12 months - depends on how they are growing and how their behaviour is. I think ours was about 8 months.

Yes - day procedure - go in in the morning and pickup in the afternoon.

Our Lab breeder said 8months but Newfie breeder said boys over 16m and girls not to be spayed before 2yrs.

floaty - WHY??

We have just got a rescue dog and need to get him castrated.

He is nearly 2 so I am guessing we can get it done now (he is a Jack Russell / Chi cross) but does anybody have any idea how much it costs?

I think the 2 year rule comes from research showing that if done sooner it can be linked to ovarian cysts? Is that true?

Beautifulgirls,i think big breed dogs are not supposed to be castrated early as it affects their coat and some other things (but im not that sure of as didnt get a Newfie in the end).

Bigbadmummy it depends where you live. Because it is a small dog it will cost less. At the practice I work at, it would be about £130, but we are in a cheap area. It could be up to £200 I would guess. Just call the vets and ask for a quote

The coat thing is an old wives tale. Some argument for leaving large breed dogs until they're fully grown ( testosterone plays a role in closing the growth plates so you don't get overly long limbs and higher risk of hip dysplasia) but that doesn't apply to bitches. In bitches you almost completely eradicate the risk of mammary tumours if you spay before first season and that benefit falls by 25% each season thereafter, so by the time they've had 4 seasons there's no benefit in terms of mammary tumours, but of course you still eradicate the risk of a potentially fatal womb infection.
Breeders do talk some rot, you know.

BigBad, I think if your dog is a 'he', he's not going to get ovarian cysts!