I don't know how doggy daycare is in Europe of other countries because the spay/neuter rate is lower, but here in America, and at least where I live, Aspen cannot go to daycare because he is over 6 months old and un-neutered. It makes me so sad! I wish he could go because it seems really great and I think he would LOVE it but I am not going to neuter him just so he can go because that is unfair to him. There also aren't many options for dog walkers to come over and take care of him while we are at work cause that's just not really something my city has. I feel so bad for him because I know he'd love the doggy daycare. Wish there were more options.
Same where I live. Daycare places won’t take an entire dog over 6 months of age. In fact, it’s a also legislated requirement to desex your dog/bitch by 6 months of age (unless you can prove you’re a registered breeder). It doesn’t bother me too much though I definitely would prefer to have the option of leaving it longer (eg till 12 months) for a male dog.
It's the same in the U.K. Although luckily my doggy day care was understanding and let us wait until he was a year.
Some of the doggy daycares in the Portland area will go beyond the 6 month rule. In some cases they decided based on behavior. We have two friends with Sammies from the same breeder, and the contract required that they not be neutered before 12 or 18 months (I can't recall exactly) They were both in the same daycare for quite a while after 6 months.
Where I live in the UK there are lots of people who do day care in their own homes, just taking in 2 or 3 dogs at a time. I wonder if you advertised you might find someone happy to do that.
That's great! I'm glad to know that you have the RIGHT to wait a year. As I state below... It's your dog, not theirs. Sorry, I apologize, This is a heated issue after all! That's unfortunate... My words for them are F-Off. Thanks 'Bob Barker' you have done us all a great service. Spaying and Neutering have their reasons, but ignorant owners, and bad fencing are not part of it. "Free Roaming animals" like cats (outdoor -- if you choose) I get it, no one wants 1000's of strays. But the health risks are real for dogs. De-sexing is not trivial; and for males, there are some serious and well documented risks such as hip dysplasia or feminization to name a few. Do the research. Their bodies produce testosterone for a reason. Don't get me wrong, having an intact male is a BIG responsibility, but if YOU can handle it responsibly... Why can't the Day Care? Why not segregate males and females? My best guess is that the center, or service being provided is staffed with the lazy workers. The choice is yours of course, but there's no going back. It's not easy I know. Do what's right for you and your dog.
Same rules at our daycare. So we stopped taking him. I was upset at first, but luckily we had alternatives. I really did consider neutering at 6 months cos that was the trend in my area. So thankful I listened to my instincts that it just wasn’t right so young, and read up and reconsidered. My boy is now 6 yo and still intact. Very well socialized and no issues.
I found one that will take him! They will take intact males until they are 1. Still wondering what the vet will say about neutering at our 1 year appointment. I'm still thinking I want to leave him intact, but we will see. I feel like a lot of the people I know who are dog owners have outdated knowledge on dog health/behavior.
Very True! I mean more in the sense here in North America, the amount of force you receive to have the procedure done in mind bending. My vet's been pimping the operation since day one. Your almost shamed into it by force. It should be your choice and only yours, but alas with so much pressure many do it by forced choice. Medically speaking Oberon is correct though. There's no solid data at this time to make a formal conclusion about Risks/Benefits
