tcross
MH
Posts:62
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| 10/04/2010 12:43 PM |
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I want to neuter my 6 mo 1 week old GSP. At what age should i do so. i have been told to wait until he is fully grown so it doesn't mess up his physic..?? i need some advice since i no nothing about it!
thanks... |
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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:3180
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| 10/04/2010 12:59 PM |
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| we waited until 15 months, some suggest 18, some suggest 12. Very few people knowledgeable about GSPs recommend they get neutered younger than 12 months. |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7922
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| 10/04/2010 2:25 PM |
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| I am recommending to all my puppy buyers that they wait until the puppy is at least 1.5 years. This hopefully allows the puppy to reach maturity. When done sooner there is some thinking that says the dogs are leggier. I know that I have seen that with dogs that have been spayed or neutered early. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Cricketdog
MH
Posts:73
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| 10/04/2010 4:41 PM |
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I whole heartedly agree with Bev! Here is a link to a great article by Chris Zink, a vet, that sights varies studies.
http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html
Thanks for being a responsible pet owner!
Cathy |
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In my next life, I want to come back as my dog...what a life!
www.tomcatkennels.com |
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cane72
Wichita, KS
JH
Posts:22
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| 10/05/2010 8:04 AM |
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Bev, what do you mean by leggier?
Nevermind, DUH!!!! |
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Graham will be the new "BIRD ASSASSIN"
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3154
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| 10/05/2010 9:48 AM |
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| I can see the leggier thing with Blitz since w had him done at about 6 1/2 months...we will be waiting with Striker till at least 1...probably 1 1/2 cuz I want it done in the winter so that he isn't wanting to be outside so much or in the water... |
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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:3180
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| 10/05/2010 10:40 AM |
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The other thing you may notice with early neutering is a thinner chest, that is, that the chest doesn't fill out as much. We have friends with a weimie and you can clearly tell the difference from early neutering versus Bo.
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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singltrak
Las Cruces, NM
MH
Posts:1149
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| 10/05/2010 1:01 PM |
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Plus, Marcia, you can't show the little fella if he is neutered.... I would wait and see how he does in a few shows first...you may want to change your mind on that. (or at least delay things)
Phyllis |
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Look to the Past, Breed for the Future |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3154
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| 10/05/2010 4:04 PM |
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| well yeah if we do decide to show then of course he will stay intact...just not sure if it will be our thing or not...kinda scary....we are taking baby steps for sure! |
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singltrak
Las Cruces, NM
MH
Posts:1149
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| 10/05/2010 6:10 PM |
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Definitely! It should be fun for all! I was thinking more about Nationals in May, then I read your note about waiting til 12-18 months...not having the best of days today but I will survive.... Lots of time between now and then anyway!
Phyllis and the Tribe |
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Look to the Past, Breed for the Future |
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WildRose
Seymour Texas
MH
Posts:471
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| 10/08/2010 12:21 AM |
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Spaying or neutering before the age of two is a bad idea. It sets your dog up for a lifetime of problems with tendon and ligament injuries due to the hormone imbalance and the fact that the secondary sex hormones peaking are what naturally stops the growth of the long bones.
Withouth those hormones naturally peaking the long bones grow longer than designed and the tendons and ligaments are exceeding their design limits. |
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There's a reason I like dogs better'n people... . |
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tcross
MH
Posts:62
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| 10/08/2010 7:47 AM |
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Thanks for all the good information. i have canceld the appointment that was supposed to be tuesday and will be waiting till june/july when he's 15 months or so!!
thanks all! |
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RCNZ
New Zealand
JH
Posts:26
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| 10/09/2010 6:09 PM |
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Probably not going to be a popular statement but castrating dogs is not a good idea at all.
If you actually take a look at the research and don't just take your vets word for it, there's nothing to indicate health wise that any dog should ever be castrated. The problems that are supposedly reduced by castration have a very low incidence rate, aren't commonly life threatening and can often be cured by castration after the fact. On the flip side castration significantly increases the risks of some life threatening diseases like osteosarcoma and prostate cancer as well as a host of orthapedic problems.
Train the dog right, keep it secure and there shouldn't be any problems. If you must castrate wait a minimum of 12-18 months. The later the better and the dog needs to be fully physically mature. |
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Terra's Owner
Planet Earth
MH
Posts:262
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| 10/10/2010 4:10 PM |
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My little guy, Bearoff, is scheduled to go under the knife on Wednesday. I'm not really worried about the surgery as much as I am about him being away from home. He has never been away from me overnight however he has spent some long days at home with his other cohorts while I was away. I hope it doesn't hurt him psychologically.
He will be almost 21 months (dob = 1/26/2009)
RCNZ - your views coincide with those in these articles:
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf
http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html
I tend to agree. My biggest worry is female coyotes and maybe other female dogs being in heat.
Plus the dog license fee is only $10 if neutered versus $30 if not.
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John (human), Bearoff (gsp), Jenny (Plott), Sunshine (Heinz57 rip 11/4/2010), Terra (missing but still in my heart) |
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RCNZ
New Zealand
JH
Posts:26
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| 10/10/2010 4:51 PM |
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| Build a fence. They work wonders. |
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Cricketdog
MH
Posts:73
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| 10/11/2010 9:35 AM |
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We are talking shorthairs....a fence won't stop a shorthair Don't under estimate the powers of a bitch in season!
Cathy |
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In my next life, I want to come back as my dog...what a life!
www.tomcatkennels.com |
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RCNZ
New Zealand
JH
Posts:26
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| 10/11/2010 2:25 PM |
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A fence with a hot wire on the top will stop a bull with cows in estrus on the other side.They only try once.
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Legallyblonde
Otsego MI
MH
Posts:244
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| 10/13/2010 7:39 AM |
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For my two cents, here's my column I wrote on this issue for UKC:
http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/WebPages/ComDogRtsOctober |
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UWPCH CA GSJCH USUVCH Boogerman Loverboy Oskar TDI CGC
SHR UWP CH Abbe Lane's Prince of Darkness TAN NA-I RBIMBS |
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CL66
MH
Posts:419
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| 10/14/2010 11:10 AM |
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interesting. my boy is booked in to be neutered on tuesday. he's 15 months old, thought i'd kill 2 birds with one stone as he's having a GA anyway. but have been doing some research and it would appear that the positives don't outweigh the negatives like the vets would have you believe. i'm sure the chances of bone cancer etc, while increased, are still small compared to the dog population but makes you think.
my worry is that he's a nervy and soft dog, does anyone have any info on whether castrating can have any effects on their behaviour (ie make him more so if he doesn't have the testosterone) as all i could find is that it can increase anxiety in bitches, and increase aggression in males. but also that it could reduce separation anxiety.
I don't want to make him more pathetic than he is!! Plus, as we have 2 would it change their behaviour towards each other? My only reason to castrate is that he's not breeding or showing quality and i thought it was the responsible thing to do but now i'm beginning to wonder.... |
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escampbell
MH
Posts:213
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| 10/14/2010 6:32 PM |
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I have said it before and I will say it again, when or whether to neuter depends a great deal on the owner, the living situation, and the individual dog. I have helped with GSP rescue since the early 90's and accidents do happen! So, IMO, if you do not plan to show the dog or breed it, and it is not an outstanding speciiment, worthy of being bred, and you do not have the considerable time needed to devote to raising puppies, then neuter the dog.
That being said, it does not have to be done at 6 months of age. Discuss this with the breeder. But blanket statements that dogs neutered young will have endless problems simply does not jive with my experience. My parents' Labrador was neutered at 6 months and lived a healthy, happy life until the age of 14 1/2. They kept him in good weight, made sure he got ample exercise and he had a fine life. My almost 11-year old Sheltie was neutered at 7-months of age and is an agility champion and fit as a fiddle. Admiittedly, Shelties are much smaller. My sister neutered her Golden at 13 months and he is very handsome, not at all leggy.
I truly believe there are no absolutes. Some dogs are fine intact. Others are more difficult to manage. My neutered males have all been healthy and lived long lives. Ironically, the mixed breed I grew up with, who was not neutered, developed testicular cancer and had to be neutered at the age of 9. And we who do a lot of rescue will continue to advocate spaying and neutering for the average pet home.
Eleanor in NJ
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Eleanor Campbell
New Jersey
Sydney, Presto, Price, Ozma and Soleil |
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