De-sexing Puppies At An Early Age

[Jerry Kandel]

I posted this in another section but perhaps I should have it here:

We are buying a Labradoodle from a reputable breeder who requires that the puppies be de-sexed at either six or seven weeks. I know she belongs to the Australian Labradoodle Assn. and while I am not sure I believe it is they who require their members to de-sex the puppies prior to releasing them (other than selling a dog for breeding purposes). I am not knowledgeable in this area and didn't think anything of it until I posted something in another site and was attacked on all fronts - with mostly everyone stating it would be unhealthy for the dog - especially long-term. Then someone posted the following article:

http://naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

So my question is whether those of you who purchased Labradoodles from breeders who required this - does/did it concern you and what are your opinions after reading the above article?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would not buy a puppy if early de-sexing was required. It is not being done for the health of the puppy, but rather to keep the purchaser from breeding the dog. There are other ways to accomplish that.
That said, I know there are many people here on DK who have doodles that were desexed by the breeder, and I don't believe anyone has had a problem because of it.

[Cheryl & Matey & Checkers]

My Australian Labradoodle is from a great breeder that does de-sex at a six or seven weeks. He has been very healthy, and happy. He never had any problems at all.

[Cheryl & Matey & Checkers]

Ok, I just read the article and wondered if you found another article would the results differ? It seems that some studies lean toward one way of thinking and you can find another study on the same subject with results leaning the other way. I can remember when they said that potato skins can cause cancer, and then another study came out negating that but adding that the fiber was great for you. My opinion is to go with the reputable breeder that does the desexing at an early age. Many of the other breeders that don't participate in the early program want you to have this done (and send them proof that you have neutered/spayed your puppy) by 6 months old anyway. Best of luck with your new puppy. Be sure to post pictures!

[sandy b]

Max was neutered at 7 wks and so far he's a very healthy little boy but he's only 16 months so time will tell but I have a feeling he'll have no problems. I've read many articles pro and con depends on the author. And its a toss up w/the vets, some for, some against. The recovery time is a lot less than for older puppies. Here's an article for esp. http://www.danesonline.com/earlyspayneuter.htm

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If you do a Google search for "early desexing" and then "puppy", the only breeds or breeders websites that come up are labradoodles. I wonder why.
Even if the results are similar for ESN as they are for neutering at 4-6 months, that still doesn't mean it's better for the puppy. I have a hard time believing that it isn't more traumatic for a 6 week old pup to undergo this than it is for a 6 month old, either physically or psychologically.
My question would be not, "what's the harm?" but rather "what's the benefit?" Lots of living creatures go through difficult experiences and are all right afterwards, but that doesn't mean it was good that they went through it.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't know he answer to whether it's a good idea or not. But I think the surgery is easier and less traumatic the younger they are. They do recover very fast either way, though. I guess we'd have to interview them to find out the psychological part. ask Nancy since Ned talks to her.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I asked him and he said, "Whhaaattt? Huh? I was only 3 months old and I don't remember it at all - I didn't even have to go back to get stitches out. My family took me camping to celebrate - I remember that part 'cause it was my first motor home trip."

[F, Calla & Luca]

I guess he's half way between very early neutering and somewhat later. Our first case for study.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jackdoodle was neutered by the shelter at 14 months. His recovery was very fast; it was done on Friday and I first saw him the following day; he was retrieving tennis balls, lol. By the time he came home on Tuesday, he was completely recovered and almost completely healed. I think it's easier for males than females, though, my last girl was spayed at 5 months and she had some problems with jumping, stairs, etc. for a few days.
Unfortunately, none of us has seen how the 6 weeks old puppies are after their de-sexing, because they're still with the breeders, so we don't really know what their recoveries are like. I do know the importance of every minute of that first eight week period with their mothers and littermates, in terms of their behavior down the line. Nancy can ask Ned how he thinks it affected him psychologically, but Ned is a superstar, certainly not your average doodle! I can tell he's none the worse for his ESN, because he certainly doesn't seem to have any lingering issues.

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

We decided to do early neutering with Timbow (our breeder recommended it because she thinks it's healthier, but we had a vet do it). I have been extremely happy with how Timbow has turned out and have no regrets. He is submissive, sweet, has never humped anything in his life!, and has no dominance issues. I'm not saying that all of these traits came from the early neutering, but I just wanted to say that I've been happy with our result.

[Brenda Hetzel]

My sister's border collie mix just died at a young age and one of the theories the vet gave to her was the early neutering of this dog. He died of cancer and it was a very long and painful illness for both my sister and family and their beloved pet. Given this information and what they went through, I doubt they would ever buy a dog again that was neutered at a young age.

[F, Calla & Luca]

My son's standard poodle wasn't neutered til he was about 6. he died of cancer at 8. One case doesn't prove much.