What age to neuter?

[Bupster]

I know I may be opening a can of worms, but what do we all think about the right age to neuter?

My boy is coming up to a year in April. He has no real irritating testosterone-related behaviour like indoor humping or marking. I've not yet had the conversation with the vet, because I've not been in any real hurry, but I'm curious about other people's experiences and opinions - especially some of the very experienced trainers, owners and breeders on this thread.

My two main factors in favour of neutering are avoiding any unwanted litters (he's not an escape artist, but you can't prepare for every eventuality) and hoping that, once neutered, he will be less vulnerable to aggression from other entire dogs. I would like it if neutering also reduced his tendency to get all up in other dogs' faces if his arousal levels are high, but this is probably just adolescence anyway and will pass once his own testosterone levels naturally begin to reduce in a few months' time.

My main factors against it are that I wouldn't want to knock his confidence, and I know that research shows neutering (especially early) can actually increase aggression, especially if dogs are anxious - he's not particularly, but like any adolescent pup, his confidence levels fluctuate and he can get very worried by things. There are also long term health risks I'm aware of, especially for early neutering.

I'm lucky enough to have a daycare that actually advocates against early neutering (before two years old) so there's no pressure from that end. I just want to take everything on board so I'm fully apprised of the pros and cons before having the conversation with the vet. He's half Cocker and half Lab, so not a large breed but not tiny either - currently weighs about 22kg, mostly muscle and troublemaking.

Picture of the gorgeous hooligan for tax.

For boys, I always say around two years - it varies based on breed and, as you know, bigger dogs take longer to reach maturity than smaller dogs. By two years, their testosterone levels should have levelled out and you should be confident in assessing if there are any behavioural changes/issues (nerves, guarding etc) that would make neutering a bad idea.

That being said I don't hugely advocate for boys to be neutered in the way I do for girls to be spayed (and I am sure someone will come at me and say I'm sexist - they have done before!).

I'm very much of the opinion that if you own a bitch, and are not breeding, then you 100% get her spayed and the responsibility for avoiding pregnancies is on you. I think that about my dogs as well - I have three unspayed bitches, one of which will have another litter, and it is 100% my responsibility to ensure nothing happens to any of them. That being said, if you are worried about controlling your dog and/or need it done for day-care or any other means then I would get it done between 18-24 months - as I said, just to ensure you know their personality well and their growth has stopped 😊

Being transparent, I have't neutered my boy and won't - but that is 100% personal preference (I show him) but also the fact I think he needs his bollocks to live in a house with three bitches and three human females. Poor thing would be eaten alive otherwise 😃That and he doesn't know where to put it - he had a play date the other day and went for his 'girlfriends' mouth...so I'm not sure I have any worries in that department tbh

Ours was 15 months, no annoying behaviours either apart from peeing every 5 minutes on walks. Our vet advised waiting until fully grown so for our breed at least 12 months

I’ve always male dogs (9) and a variety of breeds and never had them neutered and never felt any need to have them done.
I’ve never had issues with humping anywhere, rarely had aggression issues with other male dogs, any problems with aggressive uneutered males have been experienced by friends with female or neutered males. All have lived long healthy active lives. Over the years I’ve met the odd female dogs in season in general their reactions have ranged from totally oblivious to mildly interested but generally they quickly forget and move on.I’ve also never been advised by a vet to get my dogs neutered.
The only slight issue is peeing on every lamp post clump of grass but this is not the end of the world.
A friend had her dog neutered at around 18 months he was pretty relaxed dog before but now he barks at every strangers we meet when out, loathes greyhound type dogs growling and barking buggers off at the drop of a hat.

I've changed what I do over the years and now wait until I'm happy that the dog in question is both physically and mentally mature. My younger dog was four before she was spayed.

The guidance has shifted over the years and there is now some research about when best neuter particular breeds, after looking at the impact of neutering on the likelihood of the dogs developing various illnesses or orthopaedic issues. This was a big study:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00388/full

I remember seeing this, thanks for posting. It’s really interesting, though for my dog’s breeds it just says beyond six months, which we’re already a fair way past.

No worries.
Does he behave in a fairly confident, sensible, adult sort of way?

Because if he doesn't, I'd give him longer with his balls. Also, I know a lot of intact male gundogs who are absolutely fine with other dogs, and very well-mannered.

Confident yes. The rest we have some way to go 😄

If I had my time again, I wouldn't have neutered mine so early (if at all). We neutered at 18 months and in hindsight, it was too early.

I would wait until at least the age of three.

What kind of dog do you have? What do you think were the effects of neutering a bit too early? Thanks so much for posting.

He's a beagle.

He became less confident and more reactive after neutering - especially on the lead. I wish we'd left him to mature fully and honestly, I think I probably would have left him entire if I knew what I know now.

Could you try the injection to see if it has any impact on him first?

We have a Labrador and won't be getting him neutered. He's just over 2 years old and has no behaviour issues.

For large breed dogs it's better not to get them done, unless there's very good reason.

We've not had too many issues with other dogs due to him being intact, but I'm careful not to let him approach dogs we don't know, just in case (some dogs can be aggressive to all other dogs as well, it's not an 'intact dog' issue).

6 months is way, way too early. If you really want it doing, I'd wait til 2yo, at the very earliest.

Mine's a ginger loon too!

Ah, what a gorgeous loon he is as well!

He's half Cocker and half Lab, so not a large breed but not tiny either - currently weighs about 22kg, mostly muscle and troublemaking.

More like 90% lab, 10% cocker looking at that pic. 😂 At 22kg, I'd treat him as a large breed personally.

Me too. Our lab is only 25kg! And he was 22kg at 1.

My vet is now saying if there are no behavioural issues or other reason to neuter then not to neuter boys.