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The following in bold text is from the "Whole Dog Journal". In the last 37 years we had four male terriers, including our current Airedale. They were all neutered, all at the age of 7 months or much older. In 2022 we were looking for a new dog, talking with dedicated show breeders, and many breeders now are against neutering. I've done some research and there is no definite conclusion, meaning there are benefits of neutering, and also some harm.
Last summer we acquired a new puppy, a mini golden doodle, who should be less than 20 lbs fully grown. He has zero aggression but at the same time he is completely fearless, willing to make friends with a Doberman or a 200-lbs buck deer. I might or might not do the surgery with little Randy, haven't decided yet. For the record, Randy, all 15 lbs of him, he is bossing around the big, 60-lbs Airedale, but they aren't marking in the house.
All comments are welcome, let it come, please.
"The best age to neuter a male dog has changed over the years. We used to think 6 months of age was just right. Turns out this may not have been the best idea, especially for large breed dogs. Historically, 6 months seemed reasonable.
Most veterinarians now recommend waiting to neuter male dogs after they reach full skeletal maturity, especially large breed males. Allowing these dogs to grow under the influence of their sex hormones means they grow more naturally, resulting in healthier joint angles and structure. They also grow stronger and less injury-prone tendons and ligaments. We have scientific proof that neutering a dog too early potentially makes him more prone to orthopedic problems like hip dysplasia and torn cruciate ligaments in the knee.
Waiting for skeletal maturity sets up new age recommendations for neutering:
Small breed dogs: after 12 months of age
Medium to large breed dogs: after 18 months of age
Giant breed dogs: after 24 months of age
Some veterinary specialists contend that we shouldn’t neuter male dogs at all."
Our vet recommends it, but they have a dog in that fight, I mean $$$.
We'll probably wait until he gets to be two. The surgery can be performed later, but can't reverse it once done.
Last edited by mgforshort; 01-13-2023 at 01:31 PM..
Maybe get a second opinion then. I think in the end it's a personal decision and most of us want to make the best ones for our beloved pups.
Consider the lifestyle of your dog - what are the chances of him making puppies? (lol) If the chances are low, you may decide that neutering is not necessary.
The growing opinion among golden retriever owners, for males, is after 24 months, if at all. Rather than try to quote the research by memory, here is a link about the UC Davis vet school study on early spay/neuter:
UC Davis conducted a 10-year study on various breeds, and it was released about 3 years ago. The study really changed a lot of opinions about when, or if, to spay/neuter your pet. Vets used to recommend surgery across the board, now the reality is that depending on the breed and size of your pet, the decision is more nuanced.
My vet of over 20 years previously recommended 6 months.....across the board. After reviewing the results of several newer studies, he has since changed his recommendation to 24 months. The last dog I purchased had a clause that stated the dog could not be neutered or spayed before 24 months.
Last summer we acquired a new puppy, a mini golden doodle, who should be less than 20 lbs fully grown. He has zero aggression but at the same time he is completely fearless, willing to make friends with a Doberman or a 200-lbs buck deer. I might or might not do the surgery with little Randy, haven't decided yet. For the record, Randy, all 15 lbs of him, he is bossing around the big, 60-lbs Airedale, but they aren't marking in the house.
He sounds like a spirited young dog. I wouldn't neuter him. Every time I take my intact dogs to the vet they ask about having them neutered. I have absolutely no reason to.
My dog who passed away last year, a show-bred Cocker, lived to be 15 years old and two weeks or so. He was not neutered, had a good temperament, never developed prostate cancer. His veterinarian found some kind of mass on my dog's testicles when my dog was 13, but he said it was so small and was so slow-growing that my dog would pass away before it became problematic, which turned out to be true. (my dog probably died of a cancerous process that seemed to have begun in his ears and/or respiratory system)
My dog was a show prospect, otherwise his breeder would have insisted on his being neutered at some point (my dog finished his championship and I retired him); but I saw no reason to neuter him and neither did various veterinarians. He was polite to other dogs, and, in maturity, usually willing to walk away from confrontations at the dog parks, and if there was a scuffle, he never hurt another dog.
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