Maturity and Neutering

[ielgdpt]

What is the earliest age to neuter a male without disrupting the maturation of his masculine traits? I want to wait until he has matured fully before I even consider having him neutered. Thank you

[Judi W]

Truthfully, appearance should not be your most determining factor. There are many considerations that go into deciding when to neuter. For some homes and dogs enfant age neutering is perfectly fine. For others, they would like to have it done prior to adolesence prior to the appearance of adult male behaviors. Aside from appearance, what would be your main reasons for neutering?

If it is mainly to be determined by appearance for your dog, then you would delay neutering until the dog has reached its physical potential. That might be two or three years of age. If you wish to deter adult male behaviors, then I would suggest closer to 10 months of age or so.

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

Our male is 4 months old and I've questioned and looked into the same thing. My vet recommends that we wait until at least 18 months before fixing Oscar if we want him to grow to his fullest potential. He told me it has something to do with the hormones not maturing etc. Males apparently tend to look lanky if fixed too early. We're going to wait until he's 1-1/2 to 2 years old.

Julie

[ielgdpt]

Thank you Julie, I wouldnt want to disrupt his growth or his potential. that was my point in asking. I doubt I will have him neutered b/c I dont plan on having any bitches around him unsupervised.

[Bastianboy]

Do you plan on breeding him or showing him???? If not, why wouldn't you have him neutered? IMHO a responsible owner will have their pet desexed rather than taking the chance of accidental breedings. What you plan on and reality can be two very different animals. As far as timing I've heard lots of suggestions. I personally would talk to your vet and/or breeder and see what their opinions are.

[denverday]

I have been confused about this too. My vet said if I do it at 5-6 months it won't affect physical apperence.However She also seemed suprised that Denver is so well behaved.May be she is not a rottie person.Anyway we are going to wait a little longer before we decide what to do.

[ielgdpt]

Bast....Well, I do consider myself a "responsible owner" and because of that I know he won’t be around any females while unsupervised. When I said "plan on" I didn’t mean it like you assumed. He NEVER comes in contact with any dogs without me at his side and a leash between us. I meant if I was to adopt or acquire a bitch (which I don’t "plan on"). I am not showing him or breeding him. My vet is a friend and knows my boy quite well. She told me if she owned him she would NOT have him neutered. If my situation changes so might my opinion.

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

People with un-neutered dogs CAN be responsible dog owners too! Shocking concept!

I don't want a lanky rottweiler...period. If genetically (which I highly doubt as his parents weren't) he naturally turns out lanky, so be it. BUT if I can avoid him being lanky by putting off his neutering for another year...why not?

He won't be around any un-fixed females nor is he ever unsupervised. He's either in our home, on a leash or in our 6' high fenced yard SUPERVISED.

Our vet was the one who asked us what our plans were based on the fact that he would most likely be lanky if fixed at an early age.

Our last male Rotti was 3 and still not fixed and he certainly never got near a bitch in heat, we had zero aggression problems and it was never an issue.

I definitely believe in fixing your pet for the "average" dog owner that doesn't supervise their dog, for rescue animals and for health reasons etc. But just because ppl choose to "put off" the fixing of their dogs for appearance purposes, does not mean they're IRRESPONSIBLE. My dog will be fixed at a future date, I'm just not doing it when other people think I "should".

[ielgdpt]

Van....Amen. That is exactly what I think.

[Bastianboy]

I'm not saying that it's not okay to put it off if the appearance is such a huge deal to you. What I'm saying is that if there isn't a reason to keep them intact for breeding or showing that IN MY OPINION is the responsible thing to do. I've seen dogs get out of 6 foot fenced yards, it only takes a couple of minutes. You never know what situation might come up. I personally put health above appearance in any decision. I'm not trying to attack anyone, just giving my opinion since it was asked of the forum.

[ielgdpt]

Bast...No problem. Im learning that neutering may not be better as far as health is concerned. The more I am reading the more I am thinking Neutering is not the way to go (for my dog).

[Judi W]

I do not quite understand how a dog in a one dog household and that is not around intact bitches that are in season is going to be involved in an accidental breeding.

[theoriginalflyingl]

Originally Posted by ielgdpt

Bast...No problem. Im learning that neutering may not be better as far as health is concerned. The more I am reading the more I am thinking Neutering is not the way to go (for my dog).

Really? I would like to see the links for this info. Neutering has been something that helped prevent alot of disease and cancers later in life from the information I have always seen.

[ielgdpt]

The OG....Read this:

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...ghlight=neuter

[Judi W]

Missing from that particular thread is the research on neuter and osteo

http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/con...ull/11/11/1434