Castration ?

[Parrotperson]

Hello all

Rocky now nearly 18 months. Hadn’t had to worry about castrating him as he’s shown no interest in the ladies whatsoever. He’s even played with an in season bitch (the owner said nothing about her being in season until we were saying our goodbyes )

So this is my first dog. We’ve always had bitches.

Does castration change their personality? Will it calm him down? Or the opposite?

Advice please! Thanks. Obligatory picture

https://imgur.com/a/79nOyAL

 

[CorvusCorax]

I have two entire males aged 10 and 12, with no issue, they do not hump/are not allowed to stray etc. I do have an entire female, I just keep them apart while she is in season, it's not really an issue.
The only reasons I would castrate is for health reasons and/or if they were being real pests. Do what you think is in your/your dogs' best interests.

 

[Parrotperson]

thanks cc. yes I did wonder about keeping him entire. as long as he's not interested I guess its ok although I do worry about in season bitches we meet off lead and the obvious happening before you know it. Lets hope he stays uninterested.

 

[twiggy2]

Yes it can change their personalities, look for recent studies on neutering both for health and temperament, it is now advised to leave them entire unless their are behavioural or health issues that indicate neutering is needed.

 

[Griffin]

You could try chemical castration because that is reversible if you have negative behaviour changes (although it is not recommended if you ever want to breed, just in case).

 

[Nicnac]

I leave mine entire if I can. Out of the 6 dogs I've had only two were castrated. One due to health reasons (BPH) and one due to being a randy little so and so! The changes were positive.

 

[Cortez]

Yes it can change their personalities, look for recent studies on neutering both for health and temperament, it is now advised to leave them entire unless their are behavioural or health issues that indicate neutering is needed.

Advised by whom?

 

[Parrotperson]

My vet said to leave it til he’s 18 months which he nearly is and do it for health reason

I’d forgotten chemical castration. Might have a convo with vet and see if that’s worth it.

I’ve read a few studies which of course all contradict I’ve another. Hence the confusion.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Hackback]

I asked my vets about chemical castration for our young dog as we have a younger bitch who can't be spayed until after her first season. I thought a chemical castration would tide us over until we could get the bitch spayed. The vets said they didn't know anything about chemical castration so I thought I must have dreamt it up. Is it really a thing then?

 

[Annette4]

I asked my vets about chemical castration for our young dog as we have a younger bitch who can't be spayed until after her first season. I thought a chemical castration would tide us over until we could get the bitch spayed. The vets said they didn't know anything about chemical castration so I thought I must have dreamt it up. Is it really a thing then?

I know lots of people in your situation who have done it and my sister has with all 3 of her boys as a compromise with her daycare provider.

I wish I'd waited with my boy and will with any future boys wait for as long as possible, if I do at all.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

As a responsible owner who won't let him stray, I wouldn't castrate. All the studies I've read are fairly evely balanced re pros and cons but seem slightly biased against.

 

[Parrotperson]

so for those of you that have, was there any advantages or disadvantages to personality? I've had a few people say it makes them more aggressive? I wouldn't want him to change cos he's a lovely personality and hasn't shown any aggressive behaviour at all.

 

[Jenko109]

I have my first boy and have opted not to castrate.

He has had meningitis so is absolutely not for breeding, but he is a confident, sweet natured thing so I see no need to castrate him.

 

[Annette4]

so for those of you that have, was there any advantages or disadvantages to personality? I've had a few people say it makes them more aggressive? I wouldn't want him to change cos he's a lovely personality and hasn't shown any aggressive behaviour at all.

There was no difference with my first male. Dobby was attacked 3 times in really quick succession very soon after his op and is as a result reactive. I don't think the reactivity it because he was castrated but i do think the hormones may have helped him bounce back. He was definitely on reflection done too early and is a permanent puppy (he was done at 12 months). His personality hasn't changes as such but he's more insecure than he used to be.

 

[Moobli]

My current male had the 12 month Suprelorin implant twice to give my young bitch time to mature before spaying her. I saw no changes in his temperament but he did seem to gain weight more easily. (You can also get a 6 month implant.)

Castration is not recommended if a dog is already nervous due to the lack of testosterone once neutered.

 

[Clodagh]

I’ve only one dog now, and he’s entire and will stay that way.
When OH had working terriers they were all entire bar one little bar steward border who was done. He was still a bar steward.
Recently two friends with out of control, aggressive lab dogs had them done and both have improved immeasurably.
So imo if he’s ok I’d leave them on, he can have them taken off later if need be.

 

[Esmae]

I am having my youngest "done" next week. The other two are both castrated with no ill effects or weight gain or personality changes. 1st one was done as he was a rescue and I was contracted to have him done at the appropriate time and the other because he kept getting out and away and I was worried about that should he sniff out a lady. He has grown out of the escape habit thankfully.

 

[Parrotperson]

Thanks all. Clodagh thats v interesting.

I think on balance I’ll leave him. See how we go. ( I can hear the relief coming from him as we speak!!!)

 

[Hackback]

I am so annoyed at my vet for dismissing my query about chemical castration. We went ahead with the surgical castration and so far have noticed no changes in personality.

We had older dog castrated some time ago because he kept trying to hump me when I'd been with other dogs. As he only weighs 5 kg less than me it was quite annoying. Other than the unwanted behaviour disappearing we saw no difference in his personality.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Controversial opinion but the older I get, the less I agree with removing bits of the anatomy/altering important hormones (for some dogs) in cases where training, handling and property/boundary management would solve a lot of it.
And I do say that as someone who has had dogs and bitches neutered for health reasons.

 

[bonny]

The terminology is making me think, shall I leave my dog entire or get bits of him chopped off

 

[Cortez]

The terminology is making me think, shall I leave my dog entire or get bits of him chopped off ☹

Anyone with a gelding has had the same bits of their horse chopped off.......

 

[splashgirl45]

My boy was done as he was humping other dogs or bitches, he didn’t mind..he hasn’t changed personality at all but the humping stopped after a while .. I will leave my lurcher as long as possible at least to 18 months or 2 years, I don’t understand why it’s normal to have a bitch done if not breeding yet everyone seems to get funny if dogs are done if they are not being used for breeding, but it’s quite normal to have colts done and no one gets upset

 

[Clodagh]

Scout looks absolutely incredible, he is a solid chunk of muscle. If he was done he would lose all that that and just look like a neuter, so like a bitch tbh.
It’s the same with horses, geldings lose all their presence, look at Iberian’s for an example.
i, like CC, am getting more dubious about mutilation for our convenience. I am probably having dogs, going forwards, for multiple reasons but in part because seasons are a pain. So a complete about turn from probably 12 months ago where I thought bitches were so much better. I would probably still have a bitch spayed, the main shooting is only 3 months so losing a month to a season would be a real pain. And I can justify it for a bitch.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

For anyone still debating, this was my main reason for deciding against it (not breed s) http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

And another (admittedly against) https://ivcjournal.com/spay-neuter-...PgvOOeD8hGJ5GxAx2Vjq6ygVCvPfn_XXp6MRG7NLDPDZ8

I wish to god I’d not had Zak done, I think I basically removed his brave pants

Anyone with a gelding has had the same bits of their horse chopped off.......

Yes, but your dog won’t rear and land on your head or try to mount a ridden in season mare or break out of his box and chase horses round the yard causing mayhem! I know some stallions are angels and my old yard keeps multiples, but I wouldn’t have the nouse to handle one.

 

[honetpot]

Before Christmas we fostered an entire dog that we know has had a litter of puppies, and possibly spent most of his life in kennels. When our bitch was in season, it was a nightmare, he howled all night, completely obsessed with her. I ended up with him sleeping on my bed, tied to the headboard. The scent marking and disruption, was emotion draining. I took him to the vets, chemical castration hormone implant £150, and some doggy Valium, two days later completely settled. When I went in the vets I warned him, I may cry, I think he would have done anything to get rid of me.
We live on a small farm, and I wanted a quick result and not have the worry of an infected wound because of the mud. My other dog was castrated at 18 months, and I can see no change in him, but he is by nature an outgoing confident dog and I didn't want my now older bitch spayed.
The foster dog is now wants a long term sofa to cuddle up on, if you want a very smart cute looking small dog, that is not afraid of cows, or ponies, contact me if your fairly local.

 

[Parrotperson]

Where are you honetpot?

That must’ve been horrific. But he knew the game having sired a litter.

Still leaning toward leaving well alone but it all depends on whether he works it out or not!

 

[splashgirl45]

For anyone still debating, this was my main reason for deciding against it (not breed s) http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

And another (admittedly against) https://ivcjournal.com/spay-neuter-...PgvOOeD8hGJ5GxAx2Vjq6ygVCvPfn_XXp6MRG7NLDPDZ8

I wish to god I’d not had Zak done, I think I basically removed his brave pants



Yes, but your dog won’t rear and land on your head or try to mount a ridden in season mare or break out of his box and chase horses round the yard causing mayhem! I know some stallions are angels and my old yard keeps multiples, but I wouldn’t have the nouse to handle one.

a lot of the articles are about neutering before puberty and that isn’t what most of us on here would do,. It seems that in America they spey and neuter at very young ages so surely the figures will include all of those as well. I have had mainly bitches and all we’re done at over 2 years, none had any problems and all lives long active lives. I had my terrier done at a year , but he is tiny so hopefully he was mature enough , I was fed up with him humping everything so did it before I would have liked . If my lurcher shows no signs of humping or straying I may keep him entire till he is 2, but I doubt that will happen ..

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

My dog is almost 3 and entire, I’m not planning on neutering him unless there is a medical need to further down the line. My vets are great and actually advised against it. Not planning on breeding from him. If I had a bitch I think I would be a bit more torn, I think there are more health concerns with an un spayed bitch but I haven’t looked into it to much as I don’t have a bitch

 

[Clodagh]

But really who doesn’t want this as their view when sitting on the sofa