Does Neutering an American Bulldog stunt it's growth?

Question

i have an American Bulldog male who I love very much. Since he has been showing aggression towards other dogs recently, I have booked him an appointment to get him neutered. But I have been reading about it and have seen that neutering before 2years of age stunts growth in males.

Is this true? I want my boy to grow to his full size before he gets the chop.

Answer 1

Neutering does not affect a dog's growth.

Actually, I've heard studies that suggest that a dog neutered before puberty will grow abit bigger, as the production of testosterone is what triggers growth to slow/stop.

My dog is the same size as his unaltered littermate tho.  So, no neutering does not affect growth.

Answer 2

if anything, neutering early will cause him to grow taller since he will no longer have the hormones that halt long-bone growth... and yes, there are studies that prove it.

Answer 3

No it isn't true from what I've researched and experienced with dogs. My dog was neutered at about 10 months and he was just as large as other male dogs of his breed (Lab).  The worst physical difference is that he can more easily become over weight. As long as he stays active this won't be a problem.  

Answer 4

It will not stunt his growth.  I have heard somewhere that dogs who are spayed/neutered at an early age actually tend to grow slightly taller than if they had been left unaltered.  

Bottom line, you shouldn't care so much about what he looks like; if you're not breeding/showing your dog there is absolutely NO reason to leave him intact.  Besides, the longer you wait to neuter him, the less effect it will have in curbing those unwanted male behaviors.

http://www.learntobreed.com/neuterdog.ht...

Answer 5

Some research states that, but the benefits of neutering early outweighs that. It can help curb aggression, urine marking, prostate cancer. I neutered my boy early at 4 months and He is VERY large for a doberman, has grown to above the standard so don't let that be a reason for not neutering.  

Answer 6

You have been reading the wrong books. Neutering will NOT stunt his growth, If he is showing aggression, follow the neutering with a basic obedience class and with a trained behaviorist if that doesn't help.

The American Bulldog was the foundation breed for many of the so called fighting dogs. You want to address aggressive behavior NOW!

Answer 7

Neutering or spaying doesn't affect a dogs growth.

Answer 8

If he is neutered before he is sexually mature he will probably grow taller than average & will not develop the usual muscle mass for the breed.

Regardless of what the Neuter Police believe, s*x hormones affect far more than the desire to mate.

That's not to say you shouldn't have him neutered if you are having difficulty in controlling him but you need to be aware that castration can cause problems as well as cure them.

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermH...

Answer 9

No, getting him neutered will  not  affect his growth. If you have any other concerns you can talk to your vet. I'm sure they'd be glad to address any issues or doubts you may have.