neutering

B.B.'s mom · 02-20-2005, 02:42 PM

hey folks, what is a good age for neutering? b.b. is almost 7 months. also, will this procedure change his personality? he doesn't do that "marking" thing i have heard people in here talking about. he is already a really mellow dog, so if this makes him more mellow he may never leave his/my bed!
also, an unrelated question: up to what age do dogs reguire puppy food? i know it has special nutrients for puppies, and adolescent dogs probably have different needs ( i have to buy small kibbles, regardless of age becasue his mouth and teeth are pertty darn tiny)

***Cassiepeia*** · 02-20-2005, 02:56 PM

Six months is generally the age you should get them fixed because this is when they start to go through pubity, although I've heard some people do it earlier. Either way, now is the time to make the appointment for B.B.
You should feed your dog puppy food for about a year, although personally I don't think it would matter if it were a few months less than that...it's not like it's an exact science.

But up until he's around a year old is normal.

Cass.

gaddylovesdogs · 02-20-2005, 03:14 PM

I agree with what Cass said.

WingedFoal · 02-20-2005, 04:31 PM

Yup I agree too. And thank goodness he's not marking. Neutering as soon as possible will keep him from getting too mark crazy if he does start marking due to puberty coming.

calgal · 02-21-2005, 03:12 PM

You will find Vets. have a different opinion about what age to neuter. I liked the answer from a couple of very good Vets. You should neuter at about 7 to 9 months. This allows the dog to develop testosterone which keeps him from being spindly. (pros and cons to this from lots of folks)
The puppies are not fully developed till they are 18 months old. They will achive their full body height before then but their internal organs develope slower. I would keep the puppy on puppy food till he's 18 months providing he isn't getting too fat on it.

Michelejc · 02-22-2005, 07:14 AM

JC was neutered at about 6 or 7 months old

BellFounder · 02-22-2005, 08:31 AM

Since he hasnt yet started to display "male" behaviour neutering NOW will in fact enable him to KEEP his current temperament and not develop any characteristics you wouldnt want him to - provided he gets the proper training of course.

Erica · 02-22-2005, 10:34 AM

In my opinion, you should neuter him as soon as possible.
My Rien was neutered at 11 months because he didn't show any typical male behavior, we were waiting for his head to develop nicer, and we were even considering bringing the second testicle down in surgery. After his surgery he was an absolute terror. The vet theorizes that it's because he was allowed to have that testosterone surge. He's a doll now, don't get me wrong -- but it took a lot of extra work and training that you probably wouldn't need if you got your boy neutered sooner rather than later.

dollface · 02-23-2005, 05:48 PM

In my opinion I personally would wait until he is fully mature.

Purr · 03-09-2005, 12:20 PM

Carrie posted a really good link on this kind of thing in "never had a boy dog before..." for anybody who wants info on the subject. It's in the puppy forum.

02-20-2005, 02:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
B.B.'s mom malti-poo Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 112 Rep Power: 76	neutering hey folks, what is a good age for neutering? b.b. is almost 7 months. also, will this procedure change his personality? he doesn't do that "marking" thing i have heard people in here talking about. he is already a really mellow dog, so if this makes him more mellow he may never leave his/my bed! also, an unrelated question: up to what age do dogs reguire puppy food? i know it has special nutrients for puppies, and adolescent dogs probably have different needs ( i have to buy small kibbles, regardless of age becasue his mouth and teeth are pertty darn tiny)

02-20-2005, 02:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	Six months is generally the age you should get them fixed because this is when they start to go through pubity, although I've heard some people do it earlier. Either way, now is the time to make the appointment for B.B. You should feed your dog puppy food for about a year, although personally I don't think it would matter if it were a few months less than that...it's not like it's an exact science. But up until he's around a year old is normal. Cass.
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02-20-2005, 03:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
gaddylovesdogs don't have a cow! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 153	I agree with what Cass said.
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02-20-2005, 04:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
WingedFoal Bostons Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Birmingham, AL, USA Posts: 1,035 Rep Power: 96	Yup I agree too. And thank goodness he's not marking. Neutering as soon as possible will keep him from getting too mark crazy if he does start marking due to puberty coming.
	__________________

02-22-2005, 07:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
Michelejc JCDOG Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York Posts: 83 Rep Power: 71	JC was neutered at about 6 or 7 months old
	__________________ Michelejc

02-21-2005, 03:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,780 Rep Power: 229	You will find Vets. have a different opinion about what age to neuter. I liked the answer from a couple of very good Vets. You should neuter at about 7 to 9 months. This allows the dog to develop testosterone which keeps him from being spindly. (pros and cons to this from lots of folks) The puppies are not fully developed till they are 18 months old. They will achive their full body height before then but their internal organs develope slower. I would keep the puppy on puppy food till he's 18 months providing he isn't getting too fat on it.

02-22-2005, 08:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
BellFounder Collie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 399 Rep Power: 81	Since he hasnt yet started to display "male" behaviour neutering NOW will in fact enable him to KEEP his current temperament and not develop any characteristics you wouldnt want him to - provided he gets the proper training of course.

02-22-2005, 10:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
Erica Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 69	In my opinion, you should neuter him as soon as possible. My Rien was neutered at 11 months because he didn't show any typical male behavior, we were waiting for his head to develop nicer, and we were even considering bringing the second testicle down in surgery. After his surgery he was an absolute terror. The vet theorizes that it's because he was allowed to have that testosterone surge. He's a doll now, don't get me wrong -- but it took a lot of extra work and training that you probably wouldn't need if you got your boy neutered sooner rather than later.
Erica Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 69

02-23-2005, 05:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
dollface 4 Boston Terriers Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Saskatchewan Posts: 903 Rep Power: 101	In my opinion I personally would wait until he is fully mature.
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03-09-2005, 12:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Purr ~3 Mutts~ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In the wild 'n' wonderful USA! Posts: 727 Rep Power: 85	Carrie posted a really good link on this kind of thing in "never had a boy dog before..." for anybody who wants info on the subject. It's in the puppy forum.
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