Neutering at 8 weeks?

[lougle]

I've been talking to a breeder who does this. I thought dogs needed to have their sex hormones into maturity before neutering?

What's the current thinking on this?

I've heard of it being done in America - my vet still prefers 6 months, but as far as I'm aware there's more and more evidence that leaving them to finish growing is better.

Lots of rescues do it to prevent irresponsible breeding but it can have a huge affect on the pups growth mentally and physically and not in a good way

The breeder I talked to (South of England) wanted £1500 and neutering at 8 weeks non-negotiable.

What breed?

I think (and may be wrong) that it can increase the risk of joint problems and some cancers if it's done too young.

I wonder if some breeders are doing it for the wrong reasons, i.e. to corner the market and keep puppy prices as high as possible?

For pups with heart murmurs, disabilities/disfigurements etc that could have a genetic basis I agree with early neutering because there will always be fools who will breed their dog because it's their right and no one can tell them not to irrespective of the consequences.

But ordinarily, I think it's very very bad and should only be done in the above, exceptional circumstances.
I don't personally think males should be neutered at all unless they are showing testosterone fueled aggression and think if people want to get females fobd it should be when they are fully grown and mature

Spot on, Desperately. They say that they were originally internationally contracted by law to neuter at 8 weeks and now do it routinely.

There is no excuse for an early neuter. It was the policy of a major commercial labradoodle breeder some years ago, and in fairness some of it was to do with a contractual obligation for labradoodles imported from Australia.

IMO it's an awful thing to do to a puppy and designed to artificially increase puppy demand and therefore the price.

I cannot believe that anyone would charge or pay £1500 for a crossbreed of dubious origin and uncertain outcome.

I know. I spoke to a breeder earlier today who spent ages talking through their 'journey' in breeding and what the different classifications were, etc., which was really very helpful. I don't think we'll pursue it though.

Neutering that young can have negative effects on their growth especially in large breed dogs.
They need the hormones to help with proper bone growth and their development mentally as well.
My vet recommends small breeds can be done from six months but would prefer after 9 (once males testicles have decended and females just before or after first seasom) large breed he recommends doing at a year old or 9 months at the earliest to make sure they are fully grown.

£1500 for a crossbreed. Disgusting.

Way too young. Female dogs need their first period. Male dogs probably need testes until they are a bit more grown for similar hormonal reasons.

One of the biggest scams of the age, the trade in mongrels to the gullible.

American rescues do this and it flies in the face of all the research regarding healthy physical and psychological development.

My vet wouldn't do it and I doubt many others would either. Mine assesses each dog individually for maturity, both physical and psychological/emotional before agreeing to spay or neuter. In our case, despite the rescue pressing us to get it done, she wasn't happy to go ahead until he was about 18 months old and ideally would have left it even longer. She wouldn't agree to do it at the 6 month point, as we were contracted to by the rescue. Fortunately the contract we signed allowed for it not to be done if contraindicated medically and the rescue agreed to us delaying.

If we'd had a choice he'd have been left entire, as he's anxious and fearful by nature - fortunately, with careful handling and training, the neutering doesn't seem to have made him any worse.