Best age to neuter?

[Angelbones]

My little JRT is now approaching 6 months old. He is a super little chap but I have no desire to breed from him, and he is just starting to get a bit 'laddy' and becoming more opinionated, playing just a big too hard with the others etc. Now as much as this is a part of growing up, and his training will continue, I don't want him to become a testosterone fuelled thug so am considering having him done sooner rather than later (I had planned it for 12 months old).

So what age would be best? Or am I totally barking up the wrong tree and his jewels have nowt to do with his attitude?

Thanks guys x

 

[CAYLA]

You will get many a different opinion, mine is

small/medium breed 6 months on.
Large breed 14 months on.
IMO they do not stay in puppy limbo when neutered young I have had enough dogs neutered young to know this, I would have seen it by now, and I have seen plenty of puppy like dogs un neutered into middle ages, so it certainly is not a neutering thing.

My reasoning for leaving large breed are to allow the growth plates to close naturally, in small beeds such as yours, his growth is all but done.
I believe there are more health benefits to neutering than not, in both male and female, this is experience both through work, my own and rescues, so plenty to go by.

Just my humble opinion though
If he is ok, non randy, not bonk, bitch mad (not to say he wont become this way), then wait till 12 months, but IMO I would def do it, be it now or 6 months time fo the health benefits alone.
Testicular cancer is not easy to spot and neither is prostate, and both canbe fatal when undetected.

 

[windseywoo]

We've just had our rescue dog neutered. Think he's about a year old and had just started to "hump" other dogs when playing (usually the wrong end thank goodness). He also has a bit of a wandering spirit so hoping to calm that down a bit, however he is a border collie cross so may make no difference at all. Seemed about the right time and he has recovered really well although he really milked it at first. I'd say go with your gut instinct, you'll know when its the right time.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

if both his bits are dropped then he probably is ready now. sounds like he has little man syndrome!!! book him in!!! but dont expext a huge change it takes time for hormone levels to drop, but being a JRT best done now you dont want a manly little scrapper on your hands!

 

[piebaldsparkle]

I had Oz my JRT done at 10 months, had planned to get him done at 12 months, but as he was a April puppy, so wanted him done before all the bitches in the area came into season.

 

[Angelbones]

Thanks everyone, sound advice from you lot as usual

He too has started to hump the wrong end of his housemate, not a prob as poor old boy isn't offended or wound up by it, but my mum has my JRT's sister and although it is totally possible to keep them apart, I'd like them to continue to rumpus around the yard and garden with no cares, so best dive in quick and book the op then. The ginger cat who cleans his ears out will be much relieved too not to be humped

I've a feeling he's nearly full grown, and as he is so monumentally thick he has a tendancy to push the boundaries when he doesn't get what he wants and I want to nip that in the bud before his ego gets the better of him, little tinker would take an mile if given an inch....

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