Neuter at 4 months

[brutus'mother]

I am almost afraid to ask this question because I already searched previous post (a lot) and did a little research. But here goes...I took Brutus to the vet today and was URGED to have him neutered with his next appt, he will be 4 months old. I asked the vet about studies I had read about osteo, etc and she states she was unaware of the studies We are training and will continue to do so, I don't have any intention of ever becoming a BYB!!! and I do not plan to show. I am interested in the working groups (not sure if they need to be intact for that?) The vet also went on and on about how there is less risk and shorter recovery time when they are younger. So now I am unsure of what to do. Anyone want to open this for discussion/advice AGAIN?

[rottcrazed]

4 months is WAY too young to neuter your boy.

My rule of thumb is to have the boys neutered, at the earliest, at 18 months old.

Not only is it better for him physically, but yes, you are right, there are studies out now that show that the risks of certain cancers are less when neutered later. These are not imaginery studies, they are real.

If you are going to be a responsible owner, train him consistently, then there is really no need to rush into it.

Vets are pretty old school about spay/neuter - 6 months is the best age for most. I, and most others I know, do not agree with this.

Kristi

[fbkeays]

Personally I will not neuter a dog unless there is a compelling medical reason to. The only competition requirement to keep a dog intact is conformation. All other competitions allow neutered dogs to compete.
Do what YOU want to do. You are the owner, he is your dog. Just because a dog is left intact doesn't mean that he has to breed. Your vet can advise you, but it is up to you to allow your vet to do the procedure.
As far as behavior, your dog will only do what you allow him to do. Just like house breaking. A dog doesn't know that they are not supposed to go in the house unless you make it clear that they are to potty outside. Once you have made your requirements known, and reinforced those requirements for not going inside, you dog doesn't soil the house.

[GypsysMom]

I neutered my male at 18 months, my vet said 6months with all my dogs, Gypsy is 1 and she isnt fixed yet, I have also read about studies and thats why I chose to wait, Im unsure when Im spaying Gypsy I know Im planning on it just not sure when.. I feel 4 months is way too young as well

[brunie's mom]

I would not neuter a pup at such a young age.
Give him a chance to grow and mature and let the hormones do their job.

I would wait until as close to a year as you can...the later the better. They do start acting like kuckle- heads by around 9 months sometimes...but nothing some training and work cannot solve.

You can do anything but show in conformation, that's the only thing they must be intact for.

Don't let your vet pressure you into it....I've talked some of my customer's into waiting till their pups grow and mature to have them neutered and all were happy they did not let their vet's push it.

It does cost a bit more to neuter later...the more they weigh...the more it costs...but a young dog get's over the neuter very quickly. It's a simple, quick surgery. Also, if you wait, get your pup's hips x-rayed at the same time...this will give you a prelimary view of what you may be facing in the future.

Keeping an intact dog is not easy for most regular pet dog owners.....but waiting and extra 6-9 months will be more healthy for him, and you should have no problems.

What did the contract from your breeder say? Some have it in their contract that they must be neutered by a certain age.

Gina

[busbysix]

hello everyone...we made the 'mistake' of nuetering Raider at 4months old - we were very ignorant at the time, but since finding this site - we have learned so much. Anyway, other than medical consequences (im terrified of what may happen to him in the future due to our ignorance) I have noticed that he has a more 'bitch' look than his brothers. His head has not filled out, nor has his chest. I know he is only a year, but I dont think his head will get any bigger. Now, don't get me wrong - I happen to think he is the most beautiful rottie in the world, but I have learned my lesson. I just hope that he doesn't have any medical issues later on because of it.

We have decided to wait to spay our new little one, Ruckess, until at least a year. Is that old enough for a female, or should we wait until she is also 18 months old?

Thanks to everyone,

Kelly

[AmyinLV]

One of the first things I did when my DB brought Bo home was get on the internet and find this forum (thank God) I asked a lot of questions, did a lot of research and we are not having Bo neutered until at least 18 months if even then.

When my old vet brought up getting Bo neutered we told her no and why. She never again brought it up with us. Our trainer asked us once if we were going to get him neutered and we told him the same thing. He also didn't have an issue with it.

I think it's up to you as your dogs owner what is in the best interest for him. Peronally I don't believe that neutering Bo would fix any problem he might have that wouldn't be better resolved by training.

[VadersMommie]

Vader got neutered way too young...I guess. I have not had any problems with him and he definately does not look any less rottie because of it. I think from my experience with raising other dogs, mostly GSD's, is that their minds are the only thing that doesn't develop as fast, or all the way....They are more puppy-like...If that makes sense. I'm with fbkeays...He's your dog, do what you think is right. I do not regret my decision though.

[moz205]

I'm waiting until Buddy is older, he is 10 mo now. Not sure if I will wait until he is 18 mths. I am also going to have him microchipped at same time as my vet won't do it unless they are under anesthesia of some sort. I will try to wait until 18 mths. Rommel was never neutered, no particular reason but thankfully after hearing how much trouble with enlarged prostate, cancer etc, he never had an issue. I was told this put him in higher risk for prostate trouble. His prostate was enlarged but not where it caused a problem.

[toby01]

[quote=moz205;743093]. I am also going to have him microchipped at same time as my vet won't do it unless they are under anesthesia of some sort. UOTE]


Sorry if this is off topic. Why in the world won't the vet do it without anesthesia? Another 8 months seems like a long time to go without permanent ID. Microchipping isn't terribly difficult or stressful. My vet did my 10# cat without incident. Talk to other vets. Maybe yours doesn't feel confident about her ability. I've heard a lot of breeders that microchip pups before selling them.

[thenewpup]

I've had two dogs that were neutered while they were pups. One was a Doberman mix that was neutered at 6 weeks and the other was a Pit Bull mix that was neutered at 5 months (both dogs came from the Animal Shelter). Both dogs never outgrew the "puppy" stage. They remained excessively playful and only barked while playing.

I really wouldn't recommend neutering a dog that needs to be a watch dog. The dogs just never mature. However, my neighbors have neutered their lab at a young age and don't mind having him act like a puppy 24/7.

Spaying and neutering at a young age isn't really beneficial for the dogs. This is a "fad" that has become necessary for those who fail to keep up with their dogs and end up with unintended breedings. It's easier to just fix the dogs than force such people to be more responsible.

If you can keep an eye on your dog and ensure that it doesn't breed, then wait as long as you like before spaying or neutering. I was planning on waiting until Tank had finished growing (2-3 years) before neutering him.

Our only other dog is a female Akita. She's not spayed either, but in 11 years, she has never bred, and the vet has yet to say that she has cancer (starting to show signs of arthritis though). Spaying or neutering your dog isn't the issue, rather it's allowing your dogs to breed or not to breed. If you can keep your dogs from (unintended) breeding, then that's all that really matters. (If you are properly set up to better the breed with your well thought-out and properly invested breeding programs, then go for it --- if not, then don't let your dogs breed, it's unwanted and unnecessary.)

[brutus'mother]

Thanks for the advice. Decision made-we will wait to neuter Brutus until he is older..around 18 months. I am more than a little disappointed that the vet did not know about what seems to be a well documented study regarding neutering.

moz205, not sure about the comment regarding microchipping and anesthesia...our breeder microchipped Brutus at 8 weeks with me present..minimally invasive and certainly not a procedure that would require any type of anesthesia.

[Gunsey'sMom]

We did not know and had Gunner neutered at 7 months. I would have waited and done it much later if I had known. I think some people fool themselves into thinking it will "fix" any behavior problems they have in their male dogs and jump the gun. I can tell you from personal experience that is just not the case. There is no magic pill or fix that substitutes for consisitant leadership and ongoing training.

He did recover very quickly and was his normal self again. I am not sure how it might have affected his growth or looks except for the way he grew. He grew tall much quicker and filled out much later and still has alot of filling out to do. As for his "puppy-like-ness" He started calming down at about 12-13 months and has been continuing his maturity at a good rate.

I would lean on the side of waiting with all the info you have. If there is any thought that it will make your dog "calmer" or fix any behavioral problems-it doesnt.

[spidey]

I think some people fool themselves into thinking it will "fix" any behavior problems they have in their male dogs and jump the gun. I can tell you from personal experience that is just not the case. There is no magic pill or fix that substitutes for consisitant leadership

Amen to that! Neutering can take the edge off some behaviours, but it is NOT a fix-all for behaviour issues at all, and it has no effect whatsoever on many behaviours.

[ReeboksMomForever]

I was planning on neutering Tex when he was around 1 yr. but after reading all the posts I think I may wait longer!