How old to neuter?

[Pike]

My puppy is 11 weeks old. He has been with me for three weeks. We have been bonding, learning were to go "Peedles", getting used to our "kennels" (crate), and of course spirited play with lots of praise for all activities. As a new "parent" I have made the very important decision to neuter my boy. When is it recommended to have this procedure done with minimal risk, pain, as well as stress to the puppy? I know that surgery is very traumatic to the body as well as emotions. Any input on making this as comfortable as can be for the puppy would be appreciated and respected. Thank you in advance,

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Regards,
Pikester

[bearkat]

My books all say around 6 months. I know one lady (she owns my bitch's grandson) who neutered at 3 months. Some will say that neutering too young could make the dog smaller and less aggressive and protective than an unneutered male. Some say to wait until the dog is sexually mature, so he has the benefit of testosterone in his system. My middle dog was neutered at 6 months, and he faired quite well, physically and emotionally. My bitch was spayed at 3 1/2 years, and I swear it almost killed her. She lost almost 20 pounds, and had to go back to the vet for antibiotics and special canned food, which she had to take (both) for a month after the surgery. Whether the problem was because she is female, or her age, I don't know. I am sure some of the others here with more experience would be able to help you! Good Luck with your new baby!!

[HerdmyRott]

According to the book "The Dog's Mind" (I forget who the author is right now), a male dog's masculinity is set before they are born so neutering will not have much of an effect on male behavior issues. My first 2 Rotties were neutered at 8 months each, and although both grew to be very big boys (28" tall, 115#), neither of them developed a broad male head. On both of them you could/can still feel a bump where the growth plate never completed growing. Since these boys were from TOTALLY unrelated lines (one being a rescue and badly bred, the other well bred but pet quality), it leads me to believe that neutering somehow can affect head development in males.

I have long since decided that I will never neuter another male before 18-24 months of age again. As a matter of fact, I just got my first show dog and he's intact and 14 months old and he's been a joy to raise so far...I guess it comes down to consistency and experience sometimes!

[Maggie]

Hi Pike,The Rottweiler is a slow maturing breed so I personally wouldnt recommend nuetering them before 12 to 18 months, I have seen alot of young dogs done and just dont beleive that they grow and develope very well. This is just my personal opinion but if you want a dog who looks like a strong solid boy then dont fix him too young.

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Maggie Murray
Rottweiler Specialist Judge
New Zealand

[CarolineS]

Though I have a bitch, I know that my dog's breeder recommends waiting til after a year for the boys. She's been breeding Rotties for over 15 years, and she's also noticed that they don't seem to grow to their full potential if neutered too young.

Some vets are now recommending neutering at 3 months. This is ludicrous! I think this is totally for the vet's benefit because puppies are smaller and easier to operate on. Neutering an older male isn't such a big deal anyways (though I'm sure a lot of the guys here would disagree ) because it is not as invasive a procedure as a spaying. The vets really hate to spay a grown bitch (I can attest to that personally as mine was spayed at 2 1/2).

[German Vanegas]

We discussed this same issue before in another thread. If you have a qualifying dog with schutzhund and/or protection training in mind, such dog should not be neutered until it reaches about 24 months of age, to allow fully development and maturity of its masculine hormone system, which in turn estimulates neccessary drives for the dog to perform in personal protection.

If you don't have such specific training in mind (your dog may not even qualified for it), you can neuter it after he is 6 months old.

[This message has been edited by German Vanegas (edited March 24, 1999).]

[Nancy Estes]

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?

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo@hotbot.com

[bearkat]

Perfect choice of metaphors, Nancy...Funny, I had never really thought of it that way before you mentioned it, and I was raised on a ranch in Wyoming, and I have spent lots of time around steers and bulls. We have decided not to neuter Clyde until he is around 2 years old. I do agree with the school of thought that the hormones need to be actively humming around the dog's system before you neuter him. Females, I would neuter at 6 months unless she had very outstanding qualities.

[Nancy Estes]

I've never had a dog neutered before 2 years of age. (Just happened that way; not because I thought that was the *earliest* age I'd have it done or anything.) It's never changed their basic behavior - they continued to mark territory and would attempt to breed a bitch in season (up to a certain point anyway - mount a few times & then forget it). Two of them I continued working in SchH and obedience.

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo@hotbot.com

[cgb777]

i am going to have my 3yr old fem. "Shady" spayed next week. I found her about four months ago walking the streets and thought it would be the right thing to do to have her spayed. the vet determined her age to be about 2 & 1/2 or 3 years old and said that spaying her would be very intricate due to her age, size, and weight (100lbs.). i am now quite concerned having read some of these posted messages regarding weightloss and other symptoms attributed to post-24mos. spaying. Are my fears a real concern or am I an overly worried parent?

[CarolineS]

My dog was spayed at 2 1/2 years of age. Yes, the operation is more involved for the vet, mine cringed in fear (just kidding, definitely cringed, but probably not in fear).

Whether it's done at 6 months or 2 1/2 years, the dog still has to be put under, so that risk is about the same. The upside is, that by 2 or so, the dog is usually obedience trained and more settled, so it's a lot easier to keep them quiet for the 10 days after the operation.

My dog came through with flying colors and healed up beautifully, with no infection or pain. It has not changed her in any way (except for the obvious), and as to weight loss, I wish!!