Neuter or not?

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SadKen

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I'm considering booking 'the op' for my younger GSD.

He has lately started to do 'big boy' wees at 3.5 years old, and I think he might be maturing at last. He is still very slim and active, but not quite as manic as he was. His head is still a bit smaller than the rest of him, but not very noticeably so.

He displays no bad behaviour at all, with the exception of having become interested in sniffing. He wasn't bothered at all before, and would stick to me like glue, being more interested in his toys, and recall perfect. I can still recall etc, and 9/10 it's perfect, but 1/10 there is a tiny delay while he is sniffing. He is better if I am sharper and insistent in recalling, and then he goes back to little boy wees!

Part of me says I don't want to neuter as he's not fully developed yet (and I would like his head to grow!) and I don't want him to have an unnecessary op. The other part says I don't like him ignoring me to sniff (that's the only reason to consider neutering!).

Does neutering stop sniffing? Should I wait a while to see if he grows some more before I arrange an op? All thoughts welcome.
 
I didnt have my male Dobe neutered until he was about 2yrs old, I wanted him to have developed both physically and mentally, it hasnt affected him in anyway he is very much all male.


I know there is growing evidence now on neutering, dogs we know who are neutered too early never grow up mentally and they can get very leggy. Even older dogs there can be problems but I think the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages, the rescue I foster for has just had an old dog come in un-neutered. I spoke to the rescue owner and said I wouldnt put a really old dog through neutering and she said I agree but he has had a vet check and the vet is of the opinion he has testicular cancer so they will be removed.
 
I think its unlikely his head will mature any more if he is 3.5 years old. However, neutering certainly doesn't stop sniffing, our Lancashire Heeler was neutered young, and is the worlds worst for getting distracted by interesting smells (blackcob has seen him in action at agility shows :p) .
 
Hmm well it seems fairly conclusive that neutering won't stop him sniffing. If it won't stop him sniffing, he may as well keep his nuts and I'll keep the cash!

My older gsd bulked up about 3.5yo including growing a big old noggin, but he is a very different build to my younger one anyway. Younger one just looks like a puppy still. A lady we met the other day who had a gsd of her own estimated his age at 8 months! My old gsd looked far more mature at 1 yo. Maybe he'll be a puppy forever.

There are worse things I suppose!
 
I'm very pro-neuter but even I have to admit that in the absence of any specific sexual behaviours the evidence doesn't really stack up for routine castration of large breed dogs. Routine spaying of bitches is still very justifiable on health grounds.

MurphysMinder said:
(blackcob has seen him in action at agility shows :p) .
Click to expand...

And I have hilarious video evidence. :p
 
i have my ex breeding bitches spayed but thats because i do not want any more seasons from them or if i do rehome them they do not go to be bred from again.i had a scotty boy for 11 years i never had him done till he was 5 he just scent marked in doggy places inc.my house was never sexy with anything just territorrial
 
blackcob said:
I'm very pro-neuter but even I have to admit that in the absence of any specific sexual behaviours the evidence doesn't really stack up for routine castration of large breed dogs. Routine spaying of bitches is still very justifiable on health grounds.



And I have hilarious video evidence. :p
Click to expand...

Yep this has always been my view before, I'd have a bitch spayed as I know there are health benefits 're uterine cancer etc, but I've never had a neutered dog before, and would prefer not to!

He can keep his nuts I think!

Also, please post the video :D
 
We have just had our two chihuahuas neutered. They were approx 8 and 9 months old. We had no intention of breeding from them. They are now, exactly the same as they were before, but they do not constantly wee/mark territory all the time. Kevin is less vocal/aggressive towards other dogs when out on the lead. Just more content all round. I was really concerned just before op as they are so small and I felt it was an op that was a choice thing more than necessity. Very pleased now, all done and dusted. The right thing for us.:)
 
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