At what age should a male doodle be neutered?

[Debbie and Thomas]

My GD, Thomas is 5 months old. Our vet has told us that he should be neutered at the age of six months. OK, I thought-this is standard procedure for all male dogs at this age and was prepared to have this done. I want to say first that I do trust the vet, apparently this animal hospital is known throughout North America and even Europe and I have personally met people there from California, Seattle and Boston in the waiting room who brought their dogs there for heart surgery and other very serious conditions. Keep in mind, I live in Toronto, Canada. So I was impressed that they had travelled so far to get the best treatment for their dogs. BUT- today at our dog training class, I asked the couple next to me how old their chocolate lab was and if he had been neutered yet. They answered that he was 9 months old and that they would not have him neutered until he was 15 or 16 months old. Well, this started a very long discussion with all of the people in the class. To make a long story short I was told that females can be spayed at 6 months but if a male is neutered at only six months, his hormones will be reduced radically. This lack of hormones will affect his growth plate which is not yet totally formed and can cause them to have gangly long legs, and a large head with a smaller looking body. In other words, their growth is affected. Well, my dog is still growing so fast and is 45 lbs. at only five months old. I don't want anything to mess up the natural growth process. I am of course skeptical now about what the vet is telling me and will call them on Monday when they open to ask about this. But in the meantime I wanted to pose this question to you guys. I am very worried now.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Oh yeah-males have a one track mind I guess. LOL

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

My vet says 6 months. I know many people have different opinions of this and some breeders even do this before selling their pups. You should do whatever you are comfortable with.