To owners of doodles who were early spayed/neutered

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

I am fully aware that this is a topic of many opinions, some grounded in fact and well, some not. I am going to post this as 2 discussions for all viewing 1 to owners and 1 to breeders.

Owners ~ Clearly we all want what is best for our doodles (or any pet for that matter). I am looking for input from owners who have received their dood already either spayed or neutered. I would like to know if you personally have had any adverse health conditions that have had a direct, with out a shadow of a doubt correlation to this procedure. Did you have an hesitation about this procedure prior to their arrival? If so, did anything you were concerned about reveal itself? I would also like to know if you feel this has had any impact in regards to behavior both positive or negative.

We as doodle breeders do have potential families express their concern over this from time to time. We do direct them to current studies that are scientifically based, not suggestively based. Many time their vets do not agree with this procedure. I would love to hear from those who receive these doodles, especially who have had them for a while and I am certain that potential families will welcome your input as well.

Many thanks for taking the time to share!

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

Not my Doodle but my Cat was ES. I love it, I did not have to worry about no jumping,playing.I did not have a sore kitty on my hands.It was so nice.I would do it again with a Dog or Cat.
I got MJ from my Vet at 9 weeks.She now 2 almost 3. I have not seen any differcance between her or my other cats that were not ES/N.

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Zeke is our 10 month old male who has been with us since age 12 weeks. He came to us neutered ( at age 11 weeks ). There have been no negative outcomes from this procedure. He has grown and matured as expected, has a very mild temprament and has never shown a second of aggresive behavior. As to the temprament, I'm sure this is mostly due to very selective breeding practices but even then there can be certain male behaviors that early neutering can curtail. Zeke still squats to pee and has never marked his territory inside or out. There have been a few instances of humping but this is a dominance thing that was temporary once he knew his place in the pack order. I have never regretted that he was neutered and appreciate very much that breederes who are concerned in developing this breed participate in this practice.

[sbis0oszc95r]

Our mini GD was neutered at 8 weeks by our breeder and our Vet was shocked when we brought him in for his first set of shots. There have been no adverse effects to this, just surprise by many vets/kennels/dog trainers etc... when they found out that he got the surgery so early.

He's been fine, so far. Knock on wood. :)

[sandy b]

Max was neutered at 7 wks, we brought him home at 8 wks. He is now 6 months and haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary. Our vet too was shocked that he was neutered at such a young age. When I was researching the ALD breed I noticed that practically all the breeder websites I visited did the ESN and directed me to the scientific studies. I think it's a great idea.

[Sam]

We got Ollie at 8 weeks and he had already been neutered when we got him. He is now just over 6 months. The only small problem we had was an infection at the site where he had been licking (the vet thought one of the stitches was maybe aggravating him) but after some antibiotics he was great.

We have never had another dog so I can't compare him to anything else but we have been thrilled with every aspect of him.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Dianne....have you heard of the position taken that early spay/neuter results in dogs being LARGER in adulthood than if they were spayed/neutered after 6 months of age?.....The explanation being that it takes the introduction of sex hormones at around 4-5 months to naturally slow bone growth and when the hormones are never produced as is the case with early spay/neuter the bones continue to grow resulting in taller and longer adults?

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Just as an FYI to anyone following we are addressing this one a bit more thoroughly in the other discussion also available for all viewing.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

There are suggestive articles and studies that seem to imply that juvenielle spay/neuter may result in a variety of health issues to include but not limited to inconstinence, urinary tract infections, higher incidence of bone cancer and growth/growth plate issues. Please note the words suggestive and imply. In review you may find that often this comes from vets who are old school and not comfortable with the procedure (and that is okay if they are, but it does not make for an absolute 'that way is wrong') or from groups who are fearful of the government imposing regulation on our rights as pet owners, breeders, etc... Though health reasons are very valid reasons it is my personal feeling they would do better to address such legislation with common goals, alternatives and a commitment as to what they are willing to do to contribute personally to easing the burdens of the heart and lessening the pet victims of such needless tragedy. I am actually trying to pull together the divided sides here in Florida as juvenielle MSN is considered in legislation ~ not an easy task I might add.

So with that said, can anyone tell me if you have experienced any of these suggestive issues first hand? Again, very grateful for all input, this looks to have the potential for a rather athletic discussion = )

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

OOPS! I posted my reply in the breeder question and I am an owner. I did not realize it was two different response groups - sorrrry!

[Rae]

Both our goldendoodles are ES. Our oldest is nearly three and had over 10 bouts of very serious UTIs from the age of 4 months to 13 months. She is being treated with phenylpopanolamine for inconstinence (since age 16 months). She is also much larger than anyone - including the breeder - thought she would be - 74-78 pound female. Our vets strongly feel all of these are due to her early spay. Our second GD - also ES - has none of the above. IF we were to get another doodle we would be finding a breeder that does not do early spay. We are total supporters of spaying but would wait until our pup was at least 5 months old to give the natural growth and development time. This is bases solely on our experience. We had never even thought about early spay/neutering until we got our first doodle.