I have a 4 month old male Staffie (who Rocks by the way), and I have heard that it is a good idea to wait until 12-18 months to allow testasterone to help fully develop muscle tone, and that to do it too soon will keep him from maturing fully. It sounds like it makes sense, is there any truth to this, or should I just get it done around 6 months like most breeds???
2007-03-15 19:55:52 · 13 answers · asked by CNote 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
No, it doesn't work that way. My own vet recommends to call for an appointment the first time he lifts his leg to pee, or at 6 months, whichever comes first..
ALL Police K9s are neutered at 6 months. It sure doesn't make them wimps!
2007-03-15 20:11:44 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It doesn't really make a difference what kind of dog you have when it comes to *when* the best time is to neuter. Oh, and it's better to neuter when they're younger. Males tend to develop the need to "mark" things if they're not neutered(it's completely territorial and has a lot to do with their testosterone) and this habit is hard to break even once they're neutered. I found the following on a website... hope it helps.
"Neutering (orchectomy or castration) is the surgical removal of the reproductive glands (testes) of the male animal. The outer is left, only the testes are removed. Appearance depends upon the dog's age at the time of the surgery. Females and males should be spayed or neutered by 6 months of age. Currently some clinics are performing surgeries on animals as young as 8 weeks of age. As this procedure becomes more common, perhaps it will be available in all areas. Older animals can be done as long as they are in good health."
2007-03-16 03:22:11 · answer #2 · answered by Melissa324 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check with your vet on this. Some vets will neuter at 4 months, some at 6 months and some like mine at 7 months for the male dogs. I wouldn't wait beyond the vet recommended age since as the testosterone levels rises, the more the drive to become territorial is greater. Get 2 maturing males together and you may get a dog fight. I've always fixed my pets as early as possible and their all fine. Good muscle tone comes from plenty of exercise for your dog. Run him, walk him, play ball with him anything that involves the leg, chest, and stomach muscles that also strengthens the heart. Games involving jumping is also good for him. My Spaniel mix and wolf hybrid run in the pen with our Pygmy goat and red sheep for exercise. The hybrid is too old for all the active running, but the Spaniel/Pitt/Lab/? mix does round up and sometimes has to dodge the sheep's headbutting, but he's gained over10 pounds of muscle over the last couple years doing this. Due to health I can't run him, but the live stock pair can.
I have a cat that was neutered at 6 months and he is 23 pounds of pure muscle, not fat. His paws are 2" or more across relaxed.
2007-03-16 03:18:27 · answer #3 · answered by wolfinator25840 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do it at 6 months or even 5 if the vet reccomends. I have a Staffie x and they have some much energy as it is, Imagine getting triple when the testosterone hits in.
2007-03-16 03:10:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was told to have it done before mine was a year of age. As if I let it go any longer than that - then he would become more aggressive to handle after such time. Call and ask a vet - they'll advise well on when or how long you should wait.
p.s. I also had to have my dog done before he hit 100 pounds (yes I have a big dog - Malamute/lab mix) or they wouldn't do it at all because it would be harder on him while in surgery.
2007-03-16 03:09:55 · answer #5 · answered by ThatsThinkingWithUR Dipstick 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a boxer pup of the same age and my vet recommended that i have her spayed now, it is not true that you have to wait until she has had her first season before spaying as i had been told, it does not interfere with her hormone levels, mine is booked in for next week, good luck with yours
2007-03-16 03:35:45 · answer #6 · answered by JOJO 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If u neuter by the age of 6 months, it will actually help your dog grow bigger in height. Don't worry about muscle tone, that's a totally different story. Don't wait too long, you will regret it once they start changing their behavior by marking their territory, etc.
2007-03-16 03:06:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
At the 6 month mark, it's got the least changeing effect on their temperament.
2007-03-16 03:13:17 · answer #8 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Treat all dogs like dogs. 6months s the generally accepted standard, and I don't beleive that hormones play a gigantic role in growth. At least not sexual hormones.
2007-03-16 04:36:43 · answer #9 · answered by mandy 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Read this site before you decide to castrate your dog too early:
http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/castrationindogs.html
2007-03-16 03:55:54 · answer #10 · answered by anwen55 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋