Neutering.. To Do It Or Not...

Hi guys I need some advice.

I have heard mixed reviews about neutering and wondered if I should get Gerrard done or not!

I wouldn't do it until he was at least 1 or 2 but my vet seems to be pushing it, which I'm not agreeing with!

What's everyone's opinions? Xx

It's down to personal choice and I do neuter but everyone has different views!

There is an article in sticky here which you may find of interest

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12763-long-term-health-risks-and-benefits-associated-with-spay-neuter-in-dogs?highlight=Neuter

It's all down to personal choice, if you do your research then you can make an informed decision the link sazzle posted is very informative

Yep completely a personal choice, there are so many arguments for and against Xx

I don't neuter, but it really is a personal choice.

If you do decide to have him done, then I personally would advise that you wait until he's fully mature (mentally & physically), ie not till he's about 2 years old.

I'm another i don't neuter and i don't agree with the routine neutering of dogs, especially at young ages

There are pros and cons of both, but IMO there are many more health and behavioural benefits to keeping them entire, plus there is is the unnecessary risk of the general anesthetic.

ella wrote: plus there is is the unnecessary risk of the general anesthetic.

Absolutely.

Hi Sarah, yeah the message that the vets send and more recent research is confusing to say the least. I have read the mentioned article and found it to be very helpful and after reading it have decided to wait until Bella has had one season before fixing her (soon after her 1st birthday I would think).

At puppy pre-school the vets and assistants were urging everyone to do it as soon as possible at about 5 months but sooner if possible and definitely before her first season for the bitches and said something about increased risk of mammary cancer. They all tend to have this implanted notion about de-sexing and frankly looked at me like I was an irresponsible dog owner for wanting to wait a bit longer.

I will be sticking to my original plan unless I hear something on this forum that might contradict the advice in the research article provided above.

In our case there is a slight but increased risk of developing cancer if we wait too long and also there is a higher risk associated with the procedure in bitches older than 3 years, however for you the article does not suggest any reason why you should fix your dog before he has fully matured (aside from the obvious not wanting him to impregnate a bitch). I have heard that dog's 'sexual' behaviour can settle down after fixing, however this is only here say and could be a bunch of crap (probably is).

Yes it's down to personal choice...
I had Stella done after her first season when she was 14-15 months.
Kai was done when at Dogs Trust...and he is just 9 months now! He is a complete puppy, he does not lift his leg or anything... But it's been done so I cannot undo it...
If it had been up to me I'd have waited until he has matured and even then I would think twice about it.
Definitely worth doing some research and then decide based on your opinion. It is a difficult one.

The risk of mammary tumours is real enough, but what they don't tell you is that although it's more common in entire bitches, it isn't actually all that common in general!

I've had 4 bitches; my first was spayed at about 3 or 4 years old because of pyometra, the others were never spayed & never had any health problems. The difference in the incidence of mammary tumours between the first and third season is virually nil - very low indeed. After that it increases, but that has to be weighed against the actual numbers of bitches who do suffer tumours, which is very few considering the number of female dogs in this country!

Neutering before 'puberty' will result in a leggier, narrower dog and can lead to fear aggression, permanent puppy syndrome, stunted genital growth and an increase in bone & prostate cancer.