how old should a puppy be before you have him neutered?

Answer 1

14 to 18 months and here is why:
Orthopedic Considerations
A study by Salmeri et al in 1991 found that bitches spayed at 7 weeks grew significantly taller than those spayed at 7 months, who were taller than those not spayed (or presumably spayed after the growth plates had closed).(1) A study of 1444 Golden Retrievers performed in 1998 and 1999 also found bitches and dogs spayed and neutered at less than a year of age were significantly taller than those spayed or neutered at more than a year of age.(2) The sex hormones, by communicating with a number of other growth-related hormones, promote the closure of the growth plates at puberty (3), so the bones of dogs or bitches neutered or spayed before puberty continue to grow. Dogs that have been spayed or neutered well before puberty can frequently be identified by their longer limbs, lighter bone structure, narrow chests and narrow skulls. This abnormal growth frequently results in significant alterations in body proportions and particularly the lengths (and therefore weights) of certain bones relative to others. For example, if the femur has achieved its genetically determined normal length at 8 months when a dog gets spayed or neutered, but the tibia, which normally stops growing at 12 to 14 months of age continues to grow, then an abnormal angle may develop at the stifle. In addition, with the extra growth, the lower leg below the stifle likely becomes heavier (because it is longer), and may cause increased stresses on the cranial cruciate ligament. In addition, sex hormones are critical for achieving peak bone density.(4) These structural and physiological alterations may be the reason why at least one recent study showed that spayed and neutered dogs had a higher incidence of CCL rupture.(5) Another recent study showed that dogs spayed or neutered before 5 1/2 months had a significantly higher incidence of hip dysplasia than those spayed or neutered after 5 1/2 months of age, although it should be noted that in this study there were no standard criteria for the diagnosis of hip dysplasia.(6) Nonetheless, breeders of purebred dogs should be cognizant of these studies and should consider whether or not pups they bred were spayed or neutered when considering breeding decisions.
Cancer Considerations
A retrospective study of cardiac tumors in dogs showed that there was a 5 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma, one of the three most common cancers in dogs, in spayed bitches than intact bitches and a 2.4 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma in neutered dogs as compared to intact males.(7) A study of 3218 dogs demonstrated that dogs that were neutered before a year of age had a significantly increased chance of developing bone cancer.(8) A separate study showed that neutered dogs had a two-fold higher risk of developing bone cancer.(9) Despite the common belief that neutering dogs helps prevent prostate cancer, at least one study suggests that neutering provides no benefit.(10) There certainly is evidence of a slightly increased risk of mammary cancer in female dogs after one heat cycle, and for increased risk with each subsequent heat. While about 30 % of mammary cancers are malignant, as in humans, when caught and surgically removed early the prognosis is very good.(12) Luckily, canine athletes are handled frequently and generally receive prompt veterinary care.
Behavioral Considerations
The study that identified a higher incidence of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in spayed or neutered dogs also identified an increased incidence of sexual behaviors in males and females that were neutered early.(5) Further, the study that identified a higher incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs neutered or spayed before 5 1/2 months also showed that early age gonadectomy was associated with an increased incidence of noise phobias and undesirable sexual behaviors.(6) A recent report of the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation reported significantly more behavioral problems in spayed and neutered bitches and dogs. The most commonly observed behavioral problem in spayed females was fearful behavior and the most common problem in males was aggression.(12)
Other Health Considerations
A number of studies have shown that there is an increase in the incidence of female urinary incontinence in dogs spayed early (13), although this finding has not been universal. Certainly there is evidence that ovarian hormones are critical for maintenance of genital tissue structure and contractility.(14, 15) Neutering also has been associated with an increased likelihood of urethral sphincter incontinence in males.(16) This problem is an inconvenience, and not usually life-threatening, but nonetheless one that requires the dog to be medicated for life. A health survey of several thousand Golden Retrievers showed that spayed or neutered dogs were more likely to develop hypothyroidism.(2) This study is consistent with the results of another study in which neutering and spaying was determined to be the most significant gender-associated risk factor for development of hypothyroidism.(17) Infectious diseases were more common in dogs that were spayed or neutered at 24 weeks or less as opposed to those undergoing gonadectomy at more than 24 weeks.(18) Finally, the AKC-CHF report demonstrated a higher incidence of adverse reactions to vaccines in neutered dogs as compared to intact.(12)

Answer 2

You can do it as soon as his testicles both appear and have come down. Doing it sooner puts him at risk for cancers and other problems.
As for waiting until a male is 1.5 years, that is rubbish. I am so tired of hearing this. I currently have four males of different breeds and all four run in agility and other dog sports. They are all of different ages, and have never had an issue with bone growth, muscle mass, or overall growth. People are ALWAYS trying to find a reason to worry or make things more complicated.
You can very well neuter a male at 6 months of age and still be successful AND healthy in performance events, without dealing with the behavioral and sex-drive issues.

Answer 3

With males 6 to 8 months old.

Answer 4

there are distinct reviews on at the same time as to spay/neuter. in the previous the cautioned time replaced into 6 months. no individual is universal with who got here up with this age or why. right here's some information. Animal shelters are maximum interested in controlling puppy over inhabitants. the finest position for a puppy is in a house the position it may be suited socialized yet in the journey that they undertake out un-neutered animals a number of them will upload to the undesirable animal inhabitants. At one time they dealt with this by ability of in undemanding words adopting out men. Now they have reached a stability with early spay/neutering. There are well being reward to spaying a woman earlier her first warmth. It heavily reduces the opportunity of mammary tumors, the most undemanding malignant tumors in lady dogs. It receives rid of the opportunity of a pyometra, an infection of the uterus. Spay/neutering earlier the canines has finished turning out to be will replace body structure. strengthen plates are signaled to interior sight sex hormones. at the same time as those hormones are bumped off the upward thrust plates will stay open longer. There are study that got here across early spay/neuter will strengthen the opportunity of hip dysplasia. I recommend that for most lady puppy dogs should be spayed earlier their first warmth. that's amazingly straightforward to screw up and finally end up with an unpredicted muddle which isn't sturdy for the mummy's well being. i know a breeder who replaced into exercising consultation a tender lady canines in her back backyard on a 10 foot leash at the same time as a stray hopped the 8 feet fence. She might want to no longer get there in time to quit the breeding.

Answer 5

Best if you ask your vet, because unless you plan on doing it yourself, he/she's the one w/ the answer and won't do it any sooner than needed.

Answer 6

8 weeks old, or as soon as his testicles fall down

Answer 7

4-6 months is fine. Thanks for doing so!