When to neuter a German wirehaired pointer?

[cellibabies]

Hello, our boy is 8 months old now so we are looking at getting him neutered soon. We've held off a little bit because I keep hearing contradictory things about when to do it, for health and behavioural reasons. Any thoughts on this? Can neutering before they're fully grown mess with the endocrine system? Thanks.

[OverFedStanley]

I personally would not neuter before 18 months old. Especially with a large breed dog loads of health reasons why it is a good idea to delay it.

[BiteyShark]

The current thinking is that neutering before they are fully grown can impact the growth of their joints which causes problems later in life. I could only find one or two research papers to back that up which focused on one or two breeds if I remember correctly. However, I did take that research into account when deciding when to do my spaniel.

My vets also wouldn't neuter if there was any behavioural issues especially fearfulness as the lack of testosterone can make that worse.

[PrayingandHoping]

Leave until fully grown! It does impact how they mature physically if done early no matter what vets tell you.

Leave until min 18 months although I waited until 2.5 yrs with both my boys. I had no reason to need to rush into doing it

[OverFedStanley]

I would much prefer the option of a vasectomy over castration but very few vets do it.