Optimum de-bollocking time for a big dog?

[AtYourCervix]

Opinions please.

BigPuppy is now 13 months. He cocks his leg and the lipstick does come out when he's pleased but no humping at all.

I had planned on before 18 months when breed hits proper maturity but is sooner better than later? (I don't want him to change personality much as he is so adorable as he is).

The pros and cons of neutering in male dogs are about equal - presuming you don't have an entire bitch in the house you needn't have him neutered at all if you don't want to! :)

The larger the dog the longer I'd leave it, hormones have a role to play in growth and early neutering can be linked to increased incidence of cruciate rupture, osteosarcoma, obesity etc.

If he's not fully grown till after 18 months - after that's when I'd do it.

Hmmm. He's off to stay with his mum and sister in July.

it really isn't a good idea to castrate dogs, theres loads of medical evidence to prove it. it can also lead to them never maturing properly and becoming the everlasting teenager. He'll settle down nicely when he matures. I'm an assured kennel club breeder and I always advise my new puppy owners not to have the dog puppies castrated.

I would ask the vet to advise. If you want to prevent mature adult sexual behaviour you must do it before puberty.

Some dogs are sex crazed buffoons. Others don't seem to be bothered. I'd leave it for as long as possible and take advice from my vet.

See! That is why I have no idea if/when to do it.

Will talk to vet.

Aw no please don't say that I've just had my nearly 4 yr old done! Everyone was telling me it was the right thing to do. No testicular/prostate cancer, less marking (he pees on me if another dog comes up to us on a walk), less selective hearing when there's hormone-coated grass to smell, less potential sound and fury when another entire male sizes him up.

What have I done?!

AYC, with a dog as big as your lad I would definitely take veterinary advice.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but generally with larger breeds that are slower to mature skeletally, partly for the reasons mentioned by toboldygo upthread, most vets prefer to wait until they've fully matured.

I'll see if I can dig the links to the research I have for you.

With a large/giant breed , and particularly given BigPuppy's breed, I'd leave it until he's fully mature...2years at least, preferably closer to 3. Apart from the mental maturity aspect, with the big breeds there is a growth aspect as well. Evidence suggests that early neutering causes growth plates to close later, affecting bone growth and therefore joint development.

Presuming the his mum/sister are not spayed and if its likely to be an issue, you could speak to your vet about temporary chemical castration by injection or implant.

Here are a few links you might find interesting.

Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers - a breed specific study but with discussion and conclusion relevant to all large and giant breeds.

This talk by a Canadian vet references some of the studies.

Discussion by Chris Zink DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACVSMR

Thanks v much. I've decided not to at the mo as him having his dear little bollocks just isn't a problem. If he suddenly turns into a sex crazed teenager I may rethink.

Now..... need to find kennels instead. Someone nice who will give him regular cwtches.

As long as neither of the bitches are in heat at the time he goes to stay with them it should be fine.