Neutering advice please

bumper

bumper

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I am going to have my dog neutered at some point, as I certainly do not intend to use him for breeding purposes (he is 1/4 each..collie, golden lab retriever, lurcher, mastiff), I don't want him wandering off, and I would hate to be accidentally responsible for unwanted puppies.

The last dog I had (cocker) was neutered @6 months old as recommended by my vet, but he thereafter never cocked his leg in a normal dog fashion: he always squatted (puppy-style), and before that we always had bitches. Is there some relationship there?

I was planning on booking him in to be "done" at the end of this month when he will be 6 months old, but should I be doing it yet?
He already is exhibiting some sexual behaviour, and attempted to mount a golden retriever bitch (spayed) today, who we often meet on our usual walk in the woods. Her owner knows us, and they play well together..he is very polite re other dogs normally, and mirrors their behaviour when first meeting them. He is now about the size of a large collie!

I have googled this, but there are a lot of conflicting opinions.

Any advice?
 
I wouldnt worry about if he cocks his leg or not,it makes no difference to him!! I would think he is ready to be neutered any time from now. Especially if he is starting to show sexual behaviour.
 
I had mine done at 6 months and have had no problems. It didn't affect him cocking his leg but then he had learnt to do it by the time he was neutured.
 
My vet advised 9 months old (as he is a lab and therefore she said prone to weight gain - but actually he is a skinny minnie!)

However - other advice I read suggested at least 1 year old - ideally 18 months old so that they can finish growing before you do it ie. are physically and mentally mature sot hey should at least be cocking their legs if male).

However - on personal experience - if you leave it as late as 18 months, you may as well not bother cos by that point you will have been through all the behavioural stuff and they will start being good again
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If I was to pick when I would have got my boy done, in retrospect - I'd say around 1 yr old would have been good in terms of behaviour.

There is lots of info available online - for both sides of this debate! If you google you will see. My personal opinion is 6 months is a tad too early, but I'm not a vet - but even vets will disagree on that one, so you got to read up and make your own choice based on all the info
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Vets always say by 6 months, but this can cause as many problems doing them to early as can doing them to late. Its very difficult, as every dog is different. In general, dogs neutered before they go into puberty grow a bit bigger than those neutered after puberty because testosterone is involved in bone growth. Most mature about 6 months, which is why its recomended so widely.

Personally i would prefer to wait a bit longer and to have him done at 6 months. As he's going to be a rather large sized dog i wouldn't have him done before 9 months.
 
My border collie (7mtnhs old)
was neutered 2 week prior to turning 6mnths old (because of my commitments meaning I could keep an eye on him)

6mtnhs is the best time to get it done! It means you will prevent development of unwanted sexual behaviour, dramatically decrease his chances of cancer!!! and it often assists with training as he will be less interested in what the spayed bitch on the other side of the field is doing! (unless you ahve my dog which just wants to go play with EVERYTHING!)

The cocking the leg thing......... beau now 90% of the time does not cock his leg. He stands all 4 on the floor and crouches slightly, as you say.... in puppy fashion. This is FINE! not going to do him any problems etc. In actual fact the leg cocking is only done by the Alpha male and female in a wild dog pack so in theory by not cocking his leg it is a submissive fashion so again NOT BAD!

Can't really think of any bad points to castrating him at the correct age..... unless you want puppies which you say you dont ........
 
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