Late Onset Puberty?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Sidiqi is two years and five months old. He was neutered at six months.

Within the past couple of weeks, he has learned the joy of marking. Though not, thankfully, in our house. We went for a 45-minute walk the other day, and I counted. He lifted his leg 7 times. Until recently, he never lifted his leg, just squatted.

I have also noticed the past couple of weeks that when I brush him, I pull out a lot more hair than usual. Could he be blowing his puppy coat at this late date? I never noticed that happening before.

But here's my biggest clue, and it's kind of gross. The other day, I was holding him in my lap and noticed that he was breathing hard and fast. I thought he might be getting sick. But then I saw that he was, er, excited.

Is it possible that he's going through puberty this late? I thought that was supposed to happen at about one-and-a-half.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My oldest dog did not begin to lift his leg or mark until he was about 9! This coincided with my DIL's dog becoming a full grown up unneutered male dog. He now pees over everyone else's pee. He has never gone in the house - he better not!!! However my DIL's dog is kept in a watched area - she did finally neuter him last year.