Best age to neuter a dog?

[ChristyMarie]

So our new puppy is getting to that age. Vet suggests between 4-6 months. Breeder suggests one year as (apparently) new research shows that with larger breeds (I have an english lab) waiting until they are grown can help reduce the chance of hip problems later in life. Vet didn't agree.

Any opinions?

[Blissful_in_TX]

It is a common debate for larger dogs, but I think it's hard to really know how accurate those studies are b/c who knows what would have happened to that particular dog if he had been neutered earlier or later. Some people split the difference and do it at 8 or 9 months. I would just try to have it done before he starts developing male aggressive behavior.

[luv2cook]

I would love to hear details on how neutering can affect hips...

If he was my dog, I would do it at 5 months or 6...

[JJeannette]

The controversy about early neutering is that the growth plates don't close until sexual maturity is reached. By neutering early, the dog can continue to grow more than it would if neutering occurred later--over-growth can stress joints.

The research is still not conclusive and the stats, so far, show a fairly small increase in growth after neutering. It is something to keep in mind if your breed is prone to hip/knee problems---.

[leightx]

We neutered our lab at 11 months. I was planning to hold out for a year, but he started peeing on the carpet upstairs for no good reason (he was easily potty trained as a puppy - this was intentional). The vet suggested neutering, and it fixed (no pun intended) the problem right away.

[KimE]

4 months and 3 days

Our Vet said at least 4 months and before a year so what ever. I was taking no chanced, our little guy was quite a hard player so I wanted no chance of him getting any more aggressive.

All turned out great and he has grown into the best dog ever!!!

Kim

[sneezles]

I had heard that if you neuter early then male dogs wouldn't lift their legs, true? I do know that we neutered Chuck at a year and he's a lifter...

[leightx]

Our male mutt who was neutered at a little over 4 months is a lifter (much to my annoyance - he usually lifts just off our porch. ). Our lab who was neutered at almost a year is a reluctant lifter - sometimes he squats.

[sneezles]

Originally Posted by leightx

Our male mutt who was neutered at a little over 4 months is a lifter (much to my annoyance - he usually lifts just off our porch. ). Our lab who was neutered at almost a year is a reluctant lifter - sometimes he sometimes squats.

Sort of sounded too good to be true.

[Laurielee]

our lab was neutered at 6 months and he was a squatter for 7 years until we had friends stay with us for a few days and brought their male dog. After that he became what I call a reluctant lifter because he has always had balance trouble and almost falls over every time.

He is 12 1/2 years old and no hip problems just arthritis starting to settle in.

Laurie

[Peweh]

I agree with your vet, don't see where waiting would help the hips; and I'll chime in with a 'too much info' byte: I waited til Duff was almost 1 just due to work/schedules etc, and he ended up with these saggy testicle-less balls (I KNOW! gross!) that I hoped would shrink after the surgery but really haven't. So 'nip it in the bud', if you can.

[mcgeiger]

1) what breed is the dog (great dane or maltese?)
2) in GENERAL I don't trust breeders medical advice for &^*&^. I'm sure there are some that are really good (I've known 2), but the rest listen to heresay, Dr Google, and their friends....
3) I neuter 4-6 months if I have a choice
a) smaller vessels -->less bleeding
b) smaller scrotum (see Peweh's comment)
c) less male behaviors develop
d) I don't do it then if a giant breed dog (dane, etc) or if the owner really wants a blocky head (labs) only AFTER I've covered the above info

as far as spay, I will always choose 4-6 months. I hate, hate, hate, hate spaying older, fat, dogs in heat. I hate it...a lot!

[Laurielee]

if the owner really wants a blocky head (labs)

Interesting, I have not heard of this. Jakes dad had an extremely blocky head. I thought at the time, I hope Jake does not grow into the blocky head his dad has, he didn't

Laurie

[ChristyMarie]

Originally Posted by mcgeiger

1) what breed is the dog (great dane or maltese?)
2) in GENERAL I don't trust breeders medical advice for &^*&^. I'm sure there are some that are really good (I've known 2), but the rest listen to heresay, Dr Google, and their friends....
3) I neuter 4-6 months if I have a choice
a) smaller vessels -->less bleeding
b) smaller scrotum (see Peweh's comment)
c) less male behaviors develop
d) I don't do it then if a giant breed dog (dane, etc) or if the owner really wants a blocky head (labs) only AFTER I've covered the above info

as far as spay, I will always choose 4-6 months. I hate, hate, hate, hate spaying older, fat, dogs in heat. I hate it...a lot!

He's an English Lab. So not a giant breed but a large one.

[mcgeiger]

*Personally* IMHO I would neuter him before a year, probably 5-8 months....

[beckms]

Originally Posted by mcgeiger

*Personally* IMHO I would neuter him before a year, probably 5-8 months....

Agreed.

Honestly, it makes my hackles rise when an owner prefaces something with "My breeder said I should never..."

There are some very responsible and knowledgeable breeders out there, but my experience has shown that most of them don't know squat about medicine and will gladly impart complete bunk to their clients because they heard about it on the breeder chatroom.

There are vet schools out there, but my understanding is that breeders don't have to go to them learn how to make dog babies.

Rant over!

[beckms]

To be fair, I fully admit to not knowing squat about breeding and would always defer to a (reputable) breeder when it comes to "creating a good line" or breeding for certain traits, etc. I also don't know squat about show-quality animals (and could care less). For those opinions and questions, yes, ask your breeder.

But for surgery and medicine? Please stick to the ones who actually went to school for the stuff.