Neutering question - 2 males

[newmomto2]

We have 2 males - brothers - who are 4 months old. We have owned male Rotts beginning in 1982 but have never had 2 at the same time. We have never neutered our previous males and never had any problems - in fact, the last one lived to be 12+ years old and was my protector.

I have searched for neutering on this site and found that there are lots of opinions and lots of good points pro and good points con for it. Our vets say we should get it done ASAP to avoid possible health problems and to avoid a problem should a female in heat come around. On the other hand, I keep reading that it can cause them to not fully develop. What to do, what to do!!!!

I was wondering if having 2 males in the same home would change opinions. If they are not neutered will there be aggression problems since they both live under the same roof - literally. Right now, they sometimes play rough with each other but then stop and lay side by side to take a nap (in their outside pen). In the house they each have their own crate so they have plenty of alone time also. They walk well on a lead but still don't always come when called - they are getting better though. They do pen up without a problem so that is good.

If neutered will they stop protecting me? We live in the country and DH is at work all day so I depend on my Rotts to watch my six while I hang clothes, work in the yard, etc. The others always did that but I wonder if that will happen with these guys if they are clipped.

If you vote for neutering them when should it be done. Again, what I have read sounds confusing - some say young, some say wait til grown. Is it like dog food - a matter of personal opinion?

We want what is best for our boys, health wise and happy wise. Their appt is scheduled for Thanksgiving week and they will be 6 months old. We are just not sure what to do.

Thanks for your help.

[targonrotts]

there are many opinions.
i'll try to help answer some questions with my experience,as i also work in a vet clinic for the past 15 years and owned rotts for also as long.
1. no, neutering will not make them any less protective of you. if they are protective, they are whether neutered or not...they just tend to be a bit less dog aggressive/territorial...but their individual temperamnt plays more a roll than the testes.
many police dogs end up neuterd with age due to prostate problems/testicular tumors and still work.
2. if neutered too early, yes, growth/development will be a bit stunned.
unless you have a behavior leg lifting problem in the house, you can wait till they are 18 months or so. if done at 6 -9 months, they tend not to fully develope...but once again...what are the parents like?grandparents?
3. health wise, less prostate problems, no testicular tumors, less tendency to roam and get in trouble,no unwanted pregnancy, cheaper rabies tag-if they do that were you live.curbs some dog aggresssion, dominant behavior(but not a guarrantee).
4. neutered or not, your boys can grow up fine and get along, or when they get older, hate each other or fight over stupid things. individual temperament,training,socialization, etc plays a big part.

i have done both. my dogs are not over dominant, i have kept intact bitches and dogs together. seperate when i am not home, together in a pack when i am home...and rarely have any issues....i also have had fixed dogs..the same result. some people do find it easier if neutered..especially if neighboring bitches that are intact are near by.
it's a personal choice.
most people not intending to breed or show do it. rescues usually are fixed.
many agility/obed dogs are too.
other people rather intact or neutering after 18 mos or so.
read around and decide what you think it's best.
good luck!

[brunie's mom]

If they are just going to be companion dogs and because you have the same sex dogs....you should get them neutered. I would try to wait till they are a bit older....but I would not be waiting till they are sexually mature.

If you could wait till they are about 10-12 months old, most of their major growth is done, and the testosterone is just starting to kick in. The longer you leave them intact the more problems with dominance you may have between the two. Also the longer they mark...the more ingrained the habit begins.

I hope you do seperate them during the day? And train them seperatly? Raising two pups is usually not advised...and same sex pups may be a real challenge in the future.
They could be fine for a few years, and then one day they decide they hate each other. I would always keep them seperated when you are not home.

Gina

[qhawkins]

Our first boy, Thor wasn't neutered until he was 3 yrs old. Cabo was neutered at 6 mts. Neither of them were/are dog aggressive. Cabo is not one to back down and when approached by an aggressive dog he does get his dander up, but that's where training comes in. So, in my experience it has more to do with the individual dog than whether or when neutered.

Also, Cabo was neutered before he learned to lift his leg, but he has since learned to mark and has attempted to mark indoors. In fact our female bouv started lifting her leg when she was 3 yrs old.

I do think Cabo is much less 'serious' than he may have been and his head would probably be a bit bigger had we waited to fix him, but we don't mind those things.

So, again, it is a personal decision. I think that the next time we get a pup we may wait until he's at least a yr. Although its more likely the next one will be a rescue.