how do dogs change after being spayed/neutered? I know it is the right thing to do but am still concerned?

Question

brother and sister - 17 weeks old - neutered and spayed today - I know that all dogs are as different as snow flakes but, would appreciate some input from other pet owners about their experiences - I assume it is a plus to have it done early before their personalities are fully developed (and before an unwanted pregnancy occurs, of course). Will hormone imbalances affect other organ systems? Thanks.

Answer 1

They get fatter and they may be more realaxed and friendlier to people and not so territorial.

Answer 2

I am like most on here it seems--I like the working lines. Take my favorite breed for example is the Brittany. The breed standard was set when they were first imported to the U.S.A.--Orange/White or Liver/white are the only colors that can be shown. It has been genetically proven that Liver is not possible without the Black gene, but the Blacks are disqualified from showing. Basically they have completely left off the true colors due to a breed standard set many years ago---Today you have people with american Britt's that can get 50lbs when the original dog was not over 30. I have shown dogs of different breeds over the years and have basically lost interest in the dog show pageants myself--give me working lines and old school lines any day. That comes from experience. If I look at a new Brittany, it's got to be what people refer to as the French Brittany--the AKC doesn't seperate the two--but breeders do.

Answer 3

They do tend to be more mellow, but not in a bad way. It usually prevents the males from marking, and becoming aggressive over females. We've dealt with some dogs that haven't been spayed or neutered, and the females don't seem much different (other than not having heats) but the males usually don't get as aggressive, and are less likely to mark in the house. Good job getting them altered, and they handle it better and heal faster at a younger age, then after they have matured.

Answer 4

All dogs should be done around 6 months or so. Sometimes a male have a recessed testicle that may need a little longer to drop. Males should be neutered because they can develope prostate cancer later on which leads to a lot of other problems and in females, they can develope mammary tumors and whatnot also associated with the reproductive organs still being intact. They recover just fine and in many cases, potty issues they may have had in the past, work themelves out especially in the males.

Answer 5

Personality is what it is from birth..it will not change becasue of spay/neuter...all that will change is hormonal driven behaviors. it will NOT cause a female to become more aggressive.

Also spay/neuter does NOT make a dog grow smaller..in fact according to studies in large/giant breeds it might have the oppsoite effect and make them grow taller since the growth plates are said not to close as quickly in spay/neuter as they do in intact dogs, however in over 34 years expereince I haven't really seen growth affected either way..it depends more on bloodlines and nutrition then it does anything else.A dog wil lbe wahtever it is geneticly programed to be provided it receives proper nutrition from the beginning.

Spay/neuter will not affect other organ systems other then to eliminate mammary cancer in the female.

Spay/neuter is the best possble thing you can do for your pet..it will help them live a longer healthier life.

Answer 6

it may affect their growth a bit, especially the female. If they're large breed dogs early spaying/neutering can keep them just a bit smaller. The male will (should) be a bit calmer after neutering, and he won't be inclined to "mark" his territory as much. He will probably also be less aggressive. the female could actually become MORE aggressive after spaying, because of the hormone shift, but that isn't likely. It won't affect any other organ systems, and overall it should help keep them both healthier.

Answer 7

Mm, Its almost always better do have a pet desexed as young as possible. This way their not afraid of going to the vet next time.
As for changes it shouldn't affect their physical development but you will probably notice a change in their temperament and personality. More than likely they will be more docial and quite.
Desexing WILL NOT hurt your dogs. It is the best thing for both them and you. You have made the right decion! If your still concerned however have a chat to your vet- They can talk you through anything you want to no.
Gooldluck and congratulations on making a GOOD choice.

Answer 8

i heard males become less agressive in general
i heard male dogs hair /fur will become curly?
i heard male dogs will cease humping your guests leg
i had a female border collie she was spayed at around 2-3 years old she never had a litter of pups beforehand and there was no change in anything about her,whatsoever
and she lived happily until old age-15years old

ps:sorry i almost forgot to say
that she stopped coming into season
after being spayed

Answer 9

I have had dogs fixed as young as 8 weeks old...and as old as 2 years old...i haven't noticed a change in anything...
some say that if it is a large breed dog and they are fixed young it can change the males appearence as an adult...but I have not seen a "change" in personality with any of mine...

Answer 10

Well,
of course the animal will be tired and lay around alot because they just went through surgery. But other than that, I've never noticed anything weird after being fixed.

Answer 11

No it won't affect their organs. This is the most humane thing you did for your pets. It will help with your male most. It will help in keeping those testasterone levels in line, thus reducing those male versus male issues. Good luck.