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.

[Sandy]

My vet said six months, and actually, we've changed vets, and this one said six months is standard too. In fact, the contract from our breeder said the dog was to be neutered at six months. I don't think it's too early - I will be waiting to hear what others have to say. Although I do know that some breeders are neutering/spaying before the pups go home - at eight weeks or so.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Lots of responsible breeders are neutering their pups before you even take them home. There have other discussions about ESN on this site. Go to discussions and look for some of these past discussions so that you can make an informed decision.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Hi and thks,
I'll look at these discussions now.
Debbie

[Adina P]

What those people do NOT know is that the growth difference is NOT visible to the naked eye...it's less than one inch. NOT worth it to have to deal with male hormones.... I would neuter him by 6 months for sure.

[Sandy]

Yes, male hormones. Toby just lifted his leg for the first time the other day, and he's getting a little more aggressive. Not mean or nasty, just a little bit bossy. I think it's time.....

[Debbie and Thomas]

Hi
I don't mind if he is an inch shorter. He is so big now, but I don't want to mess up his growth in other areas. Like I said I have always trusted this vet and have always followed their advice, but sometimes I wonder if they just go by the "cookie cutter" rules with every dog. Just like people every dog is different- and maybe there are exceptions to the rules. I think I am probably just over reacting to the conversations I heard today, but honestly they have me thinking now. For now-Thomas will be on the schedule to be neutered at six months old. Until then, I will be asking the vet a lot of questions.
Thanks, Debbie

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Six months seems to be thee accepted age. Although our vet likes to hold off a little longer as he believes that the hormones are important to brain development. Many dogs are desexed before they leave the breeder. There has been some debate about this but in some circles this has become the standard. This does make sense as it does prevent unexpected breeding.

[Cam & Oski]

This a great topic & came up recently in one of the discussions. Here's a link to the discussion you might find helpful:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/early-spayneuter-vs-waiting

FYI: Oski was neutered at 4mo (our vet initially wanted to wait till he was 5mo old but we did it early because some of the dogs at the park were being aggressive with him which apparently can sometimes happen to intact pups) & is pretty proportionate looking with no gait probs per our vet :)

[Debbie and Thomas]

You are so right. He proportions are lovely.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Ann, I respect your opinion as a breeder. So at six months, I'll have Thomas neutered. Just a question though, why do a lot of breeders spay and neuter puppies before they go home?? Is it because they don't want people to breed them randomly?

[Debbie and Thomas]

Yes I just read something you posted on a past discussion. I should have searched or this before adding a new one I guess, but I am still getting used to this web site. I don't blame you for doing this. I have met several people who did not neuter their male because they sad they were thinking of breeding him with a female. They know nothing about breeding and I just looked at them like they were crazy. Maybe it's a macho thing. Of course they never did. One family ended up neutering their seven year old Wheaton terrior. He never really recovered and his disposition changed and he became a bit aggressive after the surgery. By that I mean, he growled at the kids a few times and the wife.(they probably deserved it) Perhaps, it was a hormone inbalance that would have straightened out in a few wekks/months or maybe he was in pain. They actually PUT HIM DOWN, these selfish people and had a new puppy three weeks later. I was so disgusted when I heard this. Apparantly this other dog just passed away of cancer, and guess what-they have now have a "Doodle". I was horrified when my sister told me! So you are right there are irresponsible people out there and can ruin the reputation of a breed by their incompetence. Oh yeah, Thomas, you are going in for this early.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

My opinion is to neuter him by 6 months. We got Kirby when he was 13 months and he was not neutered. Once he was neutered he calmed down a lot, but he still is a huger marker. Most breeders require neutering by 6 months. Dex was neutered at 5 months and he did great.