Age to Neuter

[Kiminator]

Have an appointment this friday to have my boy neutered. He is 18 months. In your opinion at what age would you neuter? I have had several different opinions and have read preveious posts from the archives. Did not find any answer that satisfied me. Just want to make sure that I don't do it to early!!
Thanks in advance.

[Wrath]

Our vet told us 6 months, basically before the dog starts to enter puberty.

[Kiminator]

Six months is way to early in my opinion. I made that mistake once! Am looking for an objective opinion from someone other than a vet !! Thanks for the response though!!

[Carina43]

I neutered at 18 months, plus I have a rescue that was neutered when I got him at about 3 1/2 years old. Both act pretty much the same - lots of leg lifting and throwing dirt around after marking, both fairly strong willed, calm dogs. I have to say my very first Rottie was a wonderful, sensible, dog - and he was neutered at 7 months.

Not very scientific; but I just wanted most of the physical growth done before I neutered (did the same with my last Rottie) and the testosterone a chance to bathe the brain cells in male hormonal attitude :D before I had them snipped.

I like dogs to act like adult dogs, not perpetual puppies. Not that neutered-early dogs necessarily do, I just wanted to give them a chance to mature a bit first. My breeder agreed, with Cooper; my contract (he is not a show/breeding dog, obviously) was to have him neutered by 24 months old.

[LORHEL]

We neutered at six months, and I deeply regretted it... at 18 months, you have waited longer, and I think are at a better advantage.

Just wanted to add, (not sure if you've been through the neutering before for dogs..;) )

If he gets the laser kind or either actually, make sure he doesn't lick the site... you may have to get what they call an Elizabethan collar... (it looks like a plastic lampshade/cone) to wear until it heals... we didn't do that at first, and when we realized he was licking it, freaked because it was oozing at the site....

Good luck, I'm sure he'll be back on his feet in no time..:D

[KristaS]

I'm not trying to sound condesending or judgemental but I was just wondering why you waited until 18 months? And why is that better than neutering at an earlier age? I'm sorry if that sounds rude I just want to know other people opinions. Thanks

[Judi W]

Carina did give the answer for waiting. It allows the dog to develop physically and mentally. Yes, hormones influence both. Now, if that is not an issue with you, early neutering is certainly fine and there is nothing wrong with it.

If you have an intact bitch in the home and are not certain or comfortable with also dealing with an intact male when the bitch is in season, certainly desex one of them. It will make life easier.

[Kiminator]

I wanted to wait until he matured some and let the hormones do there work. Breeder friend said 18 months but wanted other opinions before I did it. Thanks.

[marianne]

My only intact male will be neutered while being kenneled at my vets. I thought Huntz would be good in the bred ring...wrong. He is to leggie.I'm going on vacation and I feel this would be the best time to have him done,without all the girls hovering over him!
Huntz is now 3 and has done all his growing.
I would think 18 months is a good age to neuter.

[Jaegergirl]

i'm waiting til maverick is 18 months, too. primarily because the breeder wanted to see him in person to decide whether he was show quality or not. we were never able to get together, and maverick just turned 1. unfortunately, i do not have the time nor the $$ to pursue the show ring, so i'll have him neutered in the fall.

the reasons carina and others give in regards to their development and waiting make sense to me. so that's what i've decided to do.