Hi, we are thoroughly enjoying our first Lab. He is now 20 weeks old. Our Puppy Class instructor believes male dogs should be desexed at 5 months of age. I would be very interested to learn your views on the subject. Also, would desexing at such a young age interfere with his physical development?
Hello Fablab12, and a warm welcome to the forum. I moved your post because it was at the end of an unrelated thread and we thought people might miss it and not reply. Best Julie
Hi Fablab 12, I have a 17 month old lab called Fred. He has not been desexed as you call it. I have had 4 male dogs over the years and all have been entire males and I have not had any trouble with any of them. They have lived to a good old age and have been wonderful dogs. Why does your instructor say your dog should be done?
Five months is very young for a boy to be neutered. Where in the world are you, as there are cultural differences in different countries. I have a 14 month old boy and have kept him entire; my belief is that it isn't necessary unless the dog has uncontrollable sexually-driven behaviours. Neutering does not have any impact on behavioural issues that are not directly related to sex drive. My dog, Shadow, is very laid back around bitches in season, but other dogs become uncontrollable and/or distressed when there are girls in heat anywhere in the neighbourhood. I think it's very important that you come to your own conclusions about this, based on what is right for your dog and your circumstances and not be directed by anyone else's views on what is "the done thing", although, of course you can listen to other people's experience and advice. It can be a controversial subject, with proponents on either side of the fence. As Cath says, it's always good to ask "why?".
It is far too young to neuter a male dog at 5 months. Many do not believe in neutering but I do, I have had three males, all castrated and the one neutered the youngest was 11 months old, it is better if you can leave them until their growth is complete, so well after 18 months. I was training yesterday and there were three entire dogs there and no problems. My dogs had preputial discharge and I did not enjoy the yellow spots around the house on walls and doors, hence the castrations! It is better to wait until he is well over a year and then make an informed decision; don't rush into it.
My dog is entire - it's the right decision for him, and I don't have any problems really. Extra expense because I pay a dog walker to take him out on his own and mainly on lead (most dog walkers and day care won't take entire dogs to be with other dogs in a group). I wouldn't rush, but let him grow up and see what's what - when he is a little older you can decide if you think he would be better off being neutered. It's hard to tell at 5 months.
Probably best to talk to your vet about it, rather than the instructor. There are a range of things to consider that will differ as a function of where you live, like what the local regulations/laws are, and whether you can access daycare with an entire dog (if you ever wanted to use that kind of thing). There is some evidence that desexing prior to 7 months can lead to a slightly taller dog. Not with every dog though, just on average. It's hard to find good quality scientific evidence about desexing and its effects. Opinions, on the other hand, are plentiful and free As I mentioned, it's a good one to discuss with your vet. They should be able to talk you through the pros and cons.
There is lots of good, scientific research these days to show neutering before growth plates are closed results in delayed maturation, longer growth period, longer long bones and thus an offsetting of joint angles that is often too subtle to see but enough to be thought responsible for some orthopaedic issues that are more prevalent in dogs neutered before puberty than in those allowed to complete puberty or not neutered at all. Male dogs, most, also develop a typical heaviness and broadening of the skull, neck and shoulder area that will not occur without puberty. There are always exceptions but in general neuter before puberty in a male will result in longer legs and smaller head. There are other concerns as well, pros and cons, risks and benefits. Did you ask your instructor Why she/he recommends this? The stickie on this board has some good information: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/neutering-your-labrador/
Thank you for your warm welcome, Julie, and thanks to all for your informed advice. Our Puppy Class instructor spoke of it as a necessary cancer preventive measure, and at a young age so's to beat the first testosterone "rush". I never act on any one person's opinion, and couldn't think of a better place to educate myself. Based on your responses, I will most definitely wait, and may very well leave him entire.
Evidence suggests that desexing does protect against some cancers but it's also associated with a higher risk of some other cancers. So, it's a bit of a mixed bag as far as cancer outcomes go... The only thing you can be really sure of is that your dog will not be able to make puppies after neutering - if that's a primary goal then you can be sure of achieving it It is also very likely that desexing will prevent your dog from wanting to run off after bitches..but some entire males never really show much interest in doing that anyway. You can probably afford to wait to find out which kind of dog your boy is, and whether or not this is something that you will be able to easily manage. Some entire males are determined to get to bitches in season, and they are very difficult to manage. If your boy turns out to be like that then desexing will probably help a lot. As far as other potentially undesirable behaviours go, some seem to improve with desexing for some dogs, while some behaviours are not really affected by desexing at all. So, behaviours that have a sexual element like humping may be improved by desexing for some dogs...but only some. Behaviours like being boisterous and jumping up, not coming back when called, barking or pulling on the lead - these are training issues (unless theyonly happen round bitches in season!) and are not good reasons to desex because desexing will be unlikely to help at all. Where I live (Canberra) it is the law to desex a dog at 6 months of age (unless you are a registered breeder) and my dog would also be unable to attend daycare (which we use every week) if he was left entire. For me, those things are big factors in my decision to desex an entire male dog. Plus it is also a very strong cultural norm here. My next male dog will be desexed but I will try to push the envelope a bit and leave it to 7 months.
