Early neuter? Or wait a little while?

Question

I have a beautiful Aussie Shepherd, 4 months old and around 20lbs. He is going to be smallish for the breed (rescued by an crazy Backyard Breeder of Mini Aussies) and so we can't be sure what size he'll end up (we got him from the rescue centre, not the breeder). Anyway, our vet will neuter a dog from 4 months onwards. We want him neutered asap as we have another male dog and don't want them to fight.

Should we wait or have him go now? He's very healthy ... what did neutering your dog do for him? Thanks for all answers.

Answer 1

Personally you should wait until the growth plates close before neutering.  There are many pros and cons to early neuter and I have intact male show dogs that are fine together I also have neutered rescues who were neutered after they were 1 when I adopted them.  They don't mark in the house they aren't dominate males and don't exhibit any aggression towards other males.  Since you went to a rescue for your new companion I believe that you don't plan on breeding him and do plan on being a responsible pet owner.  If it was me and I had the choice I personally would wait till they were 1.

Answer 2

wait for a year it will much up his system x

Answer 3

I have seen on Animal Planet's Animal Heroes that they neuter small puppies that are old enough to be adopted (like 6-8 weeks of age) so if they can be neutered at that age then I don't see why you shouldn't be able to neuter your puppy now.

Besides I wouldn't know because my dog rescue dog (nearly 2 yrs old now) came neutered and he is a real LOVER!

Answer 4

Everyone has an opinion on this topic.  My preference is to neuter at 4 months...before the marking and other unwanted behaviors start.  The AVMA supports neutering as early as 8 weeks, provided your vet agrees.  If it were my dog, he'd get neutered now.

Answer 5

I'm going to suggest what I suggest to ALL users here on Y!A and get him neutered as SOON as you can, only because most people don't know how to keep their dogs from mating, and fighting.

However, my personal belief is that the later the neuter, the better.

My male was neutered at 12 weeks and thus has turned out extremelly tall and slender (not what an APBT should be, he appears to be a Great Dane, however, his sibling, is EXACTLY what I like my APBTs to be, slender, muscular, and athletic).  Evidence has shown that the earlier the neuter/spay, the different the growth patterns.  Dogs turn out looking physically different than what genetics have predetermined for them.  This is because when you neuter/spay a dog before the growth plates close, they continue to grow until the growth plates FINALLY get around to closing.  The reason for this?  The hormones secreted during puberty are what "tell" the growth plates to close.  When you spay/neuter a dog, you are taking away their ability to go through puberty.  Even their heads, and chests are slender than dogs of later neutering.

My personal preference, though others may disagree with me.

My male:

http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee334...

http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee334...

His sibling, my female:

http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee334...

http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee334...

If you can be responsible, why not wait?  But if you don't think you want that added pressure, I would suggest doing it now.

Answer 6

You can safely neuter as early as 8 weeks old. The sooner you neuter the more gender-neutral they will be. Less marking, dominant behavior, and a smaller "residual sack." Go for it! On of my guys was done at 8 weeks (from the shelter I got him from) and the other was done at around a year. They are both fantastic but if you are worried about fighting get him done now so the testosterone doesn't start flowing.  

Answer 7

If testicles are descended into the s*****m you can neuter at any time but take into consideration is he finished with his vaccines etc.  We put a lot of stress on young animal and need to let the establish their immune system before stressing it with general anesthesia.  I would wait until 6 months of age.  In large breeds you can wait until even later.  Be aware if pet starts exhibiting behavioral issues like dominance and aggression I would neuter these earlier.  With my newfie I waited until he was 11 months old.  Personal choice.

Answer 8

My vet has recommended that we have my bt puppy neutered after he has finished with his puppy shots.