Optimal time to neuter

[JeepNWlove]

I plan on having Oz neutered, leaving the breeding to the pros. He is 5 months old now. Wondering at what age I should have him neutered, Im assuming that neutering too early could negatively affect his development with those hormones absent. I've used the forum search function, and Havnt found anything, but I'm sure this has need discussed before. Thanks in advance.

[JeepNWlove]

I also should ask if I should even have him neutered, I'm not planning on breeding him and our female golden is spayed. Id like to know what effect it will most likely have on his personality/temperament if any different from most other breeds when neutered, any if anyone suggests not neutering and why knowing I don't want to breed him. Thanks

[de la Luna]

JeepNWlove

I can tell you from mine what I've learned. Just my conversations with vets, and the Animal Shelter here in Sacramento. Opinions from my life experiences.

First, if you aren't going to breed, I would go with a neuter. Accidents can happen even when we think we have taken all precautions. The same as I would say to my daughter, "If you don't go there, you won't have to GO THERE." Of course for us it is 18 years of 'going there' I'm talking about. I haven't seen the male or female Fila temper change from what it already was, except to be more receptive to commands from us.

For males, the urethra size has been stated to consider on large breed dogs developing. My vet suggested 8 - 10 months for the dogs I took in.

Anesthesia is a consideration with age also. The older, the better likely there will be a positive reaction. Also, the older the better if there is a reaction to the drug, the vets on surgery will be able to counteract the effects.

We should see if we can copy this string to the Health section, maybe it would be of help to somebody else.

Best,

[JeepNWlove]

Awesome, thanks Dianna. You're right, shoulda posted this in the health section, hopefully the Mod can move this thread there

[Paul]

If you neuter to young you run the risk of a fat dog with a small head. Not every time but I have seen this with other large breeds. Let him grow and then do it if you feel it is needed. I am a fan of leaving dogs intact. That is the way they are born. The vets will tell you the dog will be healthier in the long run but now there is research that might not be the case. I am not a vet so if you have a good vet then take his/her advice but keep yourself open to other opinions. Medicine is not an exact science. It changes and vets have differing opinions. I do fix all rescues, if I don't fix all rescues then I am not helping to lower the number of dogs in need.

[JeepNWlove]

If you neuter to young you run the risk of a fat dog with a small head.

Paul, that is hilarious! I'm still laughing from reading that. Just sounds funny. But ya, thanks for the opinion guys, if I do go through with it ill definitely be waiting awhile until he's more developed.

[Jake1420]

Ouch getting the old nuts clipped lol. He will be staring you down for days. I understand not breeding I don't breed but why the snip?? Do you have other female dogs around?? I just worry mine might get a little soft or fat if I nutured them.

[carl buss]

Basic physiology: sex hormones needed to assist closing ofthe epiphysial growth plates in bone - neutering to early will cause unbalancedgrowth - the earlier the worse. Testosterone increases lean body mass - loss oftestosterone leads to increase of body fat; IF DIET AND ACTIVITY is notadjusted. So neuter when bone growth is completed - later in Fila than mostother dogs (I would wait at least 12 to 18 months IN FILA).

Testosterone however does cause benign prostatic hyperplasiaand prostate cancer with renal failure in older dogs, also increase risk ofanal gland hypertrophy with infections, abscesses, incontinence, so on general balance of risks if the dog is not going to breed, neutering has more pros than cons. Incidentally the same is true in humans: testosterone sweetens your young days, to leave the hangover for your retirement.

[Robert_eptx]

Try reading this document.. Its focus is only on the medical affects of spay-nueter. It is a very balanced paper loaded with factual information ( both positive and negative) that allows the reader the opportunity to make decisons based on the information presented..

www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

Now on a personal note

With my own dogs I generally wait until they are 2 to 3 years of age, this allows for all aspects of the dog to fully develop and mature.. I'm still kicking myself for neutering one early on as he would have been a potential stud for a breeding. Often with slow maturing dogs they do go through changes in that 2-3 year old range that change athe appearence, kind of an ugly duckling syndrome..

With rescue dogs of any kind or breed its get them fixed as early as possible.. The guidelines get thrown out simply because the situation..

Robert