Should I Nueter?

[BigBark]

Hello all,
First I would like to say that this forum is great! I have found some wonderful info that helped me to pick my puppy and what I needed to know when he came home. We got him (Maximus) when he was 6 weeks and he is now 9 1/2 weeks. He comes from excellent conformation and working lines on the dam and sire side. We had a discussion with our breeder about getting him nuetered. She of course would love us to show him if he proved worthy, but said we would not be able to if he was not intact. She also said, along with our vet, that if we were going to have him nuetered, that it should be done between 4 and 6 months. That is hardly enough time to see whether he would be worthy of showing, isn't it? I guess I'm just needing to know the pro's and con's of having him neutered and when the best time would be to have it done if that's what we decide. I have heard that nuetering has a positive effect on males temperament and as a note we have to children, boys ages 7 and 4. Thanks in advance!

[Judi W]

Neutering can be done at any age. It does not change established behaviors. If done before the dog becomes mature it will affect those developmental areas, physical and mental, that are stimulated by hormones. I don't think the parents have conformation titles, and unless you bought the puppy with that in mind, there is no reason for showing to be the determining factor. I suspect you were looking for a good family dog which both neutered and intact dogs are fully capable of becoming. Does the dog live with or regularly associate with intact bitches?

[Carol Burke]

I would not neuter until the dog is at least 18 months old which will give you time to determine if he is show quality. Unless you have intact bitches it is really not a big deal to have an intact male.

[BigBark]

No we don't have any bitches and he will not be associating with any. Judi you say if it is done before he is mature it will affect areas that are stimulated by hormones. Would this have anything to with him being able to perform well in Shutzhund or Personal Protection? I just want him to be all he is able to be and wouldn't want to limit him by not being intact.

[Judi W]

Yes, I would suspect that it would indeed affect drives. Those hormones stimulate physical, mental and emotional maturity so it stands to reason.