Neutering male puppy

[Puppymom]

We just got a male Rottie, 19 weeks old. I was wondering the proper minimum age to have him neutered. Some vets say 6 months minimum, and others say as early as 16 weeks. We want to have him neutered ASAP because he is already trying to mount our other male adult dog, but also don't want to neuter him too early. Is 19 weeks ok for neutering, or is it better to wait closer to 6 months. If you know explanation to back up answers, that would be appreciated.

We have had two other male mixed breed dogs, but never a purebred, so we're not sure about special considerations for Rotties...

We are wanting to neuter ASAP (even this Friday) if not a problem, but will have to cancel the appointment ASAP if this would not be the right thing, so any answers in a timely manner would be appreciated. Thanks.

[antonschinkel]

Hi,

I hate to be a wiseguy telling you what to do, but i should focus in telling him not to mount and neuter him at an older age, say one year.

Neutering him is no garantee the mouting will stop anyway.

Anton

[Nancy Estes]

There are LOTS of threads/posts on this issue! And a LOT of controversy. I, personally, would not neuter a young puppy. But I also wouldn't expect an adult male to put up with a young puppy of either sex all the time either. You might want to use the *search* option, upper right corner of screen, to read some of the other discussions on this. Early neutering does not help prevent prostate problems later in life; neutering as an adult will help. And, of course, there will be no threat of testicular cancer. Training your puppy will probably do more at this age than neutering would. And, don't expect an adult dog to want to tolerate a puppy all the time either. You'd probably be better off separating them unless they're supervised and the adult dog shows that it wants the company of the puppy.

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[Vicki]

There is a change in thinking when it comes to nuetering. I know of a shelter which has begun neutering all dogs upon arrival, even the puppies. I have not heard of one bad outcome, or of any harm coming to the dog. I am sure your vet could provide you with the research literature.

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[This message has been edited by Vicki Magnus (edited September 01, 1999).]

[Trish]

Just a tid bit of information:

Just to let you know "the mounting behavior"
with a pup at 19 weeks of age has nothing to do with sexuality. This is a developmental stage of all dogs, male and female for them to attain "Rank" in their dog society.
My female pup mounts the male and the other female. This is the way that a dog shows dominance over another dog. Now if they try to mount your leg for instance it is their way of showing dominance over you. Now that you shouldnt allow under any circumstances, you should always be the Pack leader at all times and if your dog tries "You" correct him immediately. I simply give a sharp "NO" and place the dog in the down possition and make the dog stay there for a few mins. Sort of a time out.
I wouldnt worry too much about the puppy trying to mount the other dog.. The older dog will teach the pup its dog manners. If the two are both males, eventually there will be a power/dominance struggle between the two. Sounds to me that if your other dog is ignoring the pups behavior right now, that dog is fairely laid back and even natured. You might not have a problem there. I would watch it closely though, if the situation comes about that there is a power struggle, seperate the dogs and correct them.
As stated by others, there are several oppinions on the neutering issue. All of which have their own basis and need.
Talk it over with your vet, ask questions as to what you would like to achieve by neutering the pup, he or she can also tell you about the prefered age for neutering. I am against neutering before 6 months for two reasons, one the development of the dog and two the risks involved in the anestesia.

I prefer to wait until 12-to 18 months to neuter if at all, reason being, my pref. is to allow the male to have the natural imprinting and hormonal development in place before neutering.

Some do not want the male to become dominant, this is a very good possibility, just being males. A neutered male if done at a early age is more submissive, shows lower drive, some even get lazy just depends on the animal. If you have a good obedience, and have a definate "alpha" status, being that you are the LEADER, in place there should be few problems with the dog and you.
There are no gurantees though. Again your vet can tell you all about this.

Good Luck

trish

[bearkat]

I am holding off neutering Clyde, now 10 months old, until at least 2 years old. Why?? Someone (sorry, I can't remember who!), brought up an interesting point. Consider two bull calves, one not neutered young, and the other cut as a calf. Even though they are both males, the steer did not benefit from the testostrone in his system. Therefore, you have a smaller animal, less bulky, less muscle mass, docile, well, the list goes on and on. We neutered Rotten, now 5 years old, when he was about 6 months old. Biggest mistake I ever made! He is small, he doesn't have the muscle definition he should have, and as docile as a rug. He could have turned out the same way intact, there is no way to tell. As long as your dog is contained, so he won't roam to find a bitch in heat, and his behavior is not violent or too bold, perhaps you should wait, IMHO.

[German Vanegas]

I concur with Trish and I like to expand on her rightful remark: "I prefer to wait until 12-to 18 months to neuter if at all, reason being, my pref. is to allow the male to have the natural imprinting and hormonal development in place before neutering."... Neutering too early will NOT allow the dog to develop unique male characteristics, it doesn't guarantee a cure on behavioral problems either, and in most cases softens the dog up so dramatically, that from "working dog" ends-up becoming a "toy dog", since the dog won't be able to develop in full... It all depends what your goals are, and how responsible as a dog owner you may be... http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[Nancy Estes]

Nancy Estes
Senior Member posted March 24, 1999 01:39 PM
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I believe the early spay-neuter was in attempt to help reduce animal over population. Puppies & kittens at shelters, etc., could be neutered early thus removing the problem of the new owners *forgetting* to have it done later. As for growth and secondary sex characteristic development - yes, it does affect it. Why do you think steers look like steers & not bulls?

http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

Nancy


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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[Eliza]

It's a question I asked not long ago, but about female puppies. I have since spoken to several Vets and the local pounds where puppies and cats are put up for adoption. They've all said that it is quite acceptable, doesn't cause any growth problems, is less invasive of a procedure when they are younger. The Pound does not sell any dog or cat, puppy or kitten without neutering and that is from age 6 weeks and onwards. So surely they can't all be wrong. But I guess it's just a matter of choice.

[Sara]

Rather than starting a whole new discussion, I thought I'd invade this one, already in progress, if you don't mind.

My two five month old pups are supposed to be spayed/neutered next month. I was going to ask if it would be wise to have them "done" at the same time so neither is pestering the other during recuperation, but now, reading all of this, I'm wondering if I should postpone having Bear done for a while longer?

Forgive a very basic (probably already answered somewhere else) question, but what will the result of neutering be on his personality and overall development?

Thanks in advance,


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Sara, proudly owned by Lady and Bear

[German Vanegas]

Eliza,
All those vets and dogs shelters are not wrong at all. It is a fact that, due to IRRESPONSIBLE dog breeding and the combination of IRRESPONSIBLE dog ownership, there is an unacceptable proliferation of unwanted dogs. Very sad but very true. However, if you are a responsible dog owner, you don't fall into the category of the ones that mate their dogs for fun or profit... You have the free choice to neuter your dog when you deemed convenient, but I personally prefer to wait until a male dog has developed its unique male characteristics... If you have total control of your dog, "accidental" mating is highly unlikely, as well as roaming, etc... http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif