I was wondering if someone could give me some advice.  We have a 6-month old
cross-breed male puppy.   He's a cross between a boxer and a staffie (not a deliberate cross according to the breeder) so he is quite (!) boisterous.  We take him to training classes and socialise him daily with other dogs.  The thing is, is that my vet was very pro me getting him castrated when he gets to about 9-months.  However, I am very confused - I know he's only a puppy at the moment and doesn't have many raging hormones running through him yet, but what are peoples opinions on the subject? 

If we decide not to get him castrated at 9-months, but when he gets older, is this worse?

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated!
Lucy and Wallace

My opinion is to leave it as long as possible and at least until he is fully grown, by which time the problem will probably have gone too. Castration may not cure the problem and may bring others to go alongside or instead. You will be told by people that they castrated their dog a year ago and no problems and then from those who have had bad problems from castrating their dogs, but if you can manage without doing it then I would leave well alone.

Speaking as an owner who has had experience of both, I would only ever castrate again for health reasons.

I'll probably get lambased here for saying this but you wouldn't think twice if he was a cat would you?  The health issues would be the first good reason to go ahead with it when he's old enough and as you've hopefully no intentions of ever breeding from him - how many happy celibates do you know?  Now I expect everyone on this board has lots of happy celibates but the average pet is IMO happier neutered.
You will also find that other dogs will see him as less imposing if he is neutered which may make your life easier when meeting other dogs.
Sally

I'm a happy celibate :D :D

The main reason most toms are done is purely to prevent Spraying.  Most owners are not concerned theat their boy may father kittens.  This should not be an issue with a male dog, as dogs are not supposed to be allowed to go out without thiewr owner.  Unless an entrie bitch lives next door and her seasons cause him to howl, try to escape etc then there is no need to castrate.

....apart from testicular cancer ;)

We were advised likewise and after much thought gave in and had Monty castrated,

We were also told it would not alter his behaviour and 4 months on it hasn't !!

It has altered the way other dogs see him as he no longer smells MALE ! so far a Rottweiler has mounted him but got off when Monty barked and a Golden Retriever made a really good effort before being pulled off by his owner - I think Monty was in shock and just stood there!

there are lots of pros and cons and even to this day I am not sure whether we were right or wrong to go with it, personally I am more of a mind we were wrong to have him done,

good Luck with the decision making!
Jude

He's not an overly large dog (ie GSD/Rottie/larger), so I cant see any argument against him being neutered at 5 months+ :) Definitely no probs at 9 months, although I'd be tempted to do it a little sooner (buyt that's just my opinion).

i have just had the choice made for me
and the dog concerned is now 8 years old...
see prostate problems on health board.
i dont think if i had a dog again that i would have him castrated just because of what has happened to max....

I do not intend to give you a list of what can happen because a dog is castrated before the dog is fully grown but would like to ask those who condone such treatment of a puppy what experience they have had of following a dog thus mutilated through to their death. Not just one dog, which may be the lucky one, but several dogs.

Jackie, I think you should give us the benefit of what you have found out from your research. We note that you post on nearly every thread that mentions castration and it is plain to see that you do not approve. Please can you explain why? I think if there is an argument against castration and it is valid, then it would benefit people and help them to make an informed choice. I look forward to hearing your views.

I would also definitely like to hear your views against it  - any advice or experience is welcome!
Thank you everyone,
Lucy and (a now rather concerned looking!) Wallace

Lucy, I'm sure if you do a "Search" for 'castration' with 'Jackie H' as the poster, you will find previous threads with the details.
:)

Have done may times in the past, but now the dog that started all my research is dead I find the whole thing too upsetting. And I don't think listing possible effects is helpful to those who have already done the deed, I said a few months ago, I would not talk about it again and I wont, if you prefer I do not voice my opinion that castration should not be done except for reasons of health, then I will, from now on say nothing.

Before I stop replying to posts on castration may I say again if you have no choice but to castrate then leave it until the dog is mature.

hi lucy

one thing i was told off my vet was not to have my dog castrated untill he is cocking his leg otherwise he will continue to squat forever.

nails :0)

Nails. Yep, seen that. A customers Am Cocker, exactly the same as Beano(My Am) Was castrated at 8 months, and he has never cocked his leg.
Beano was Castrated 2 weeks ago(so not totally hormone free yet) still cocks his leg (*even a few hours after the op, eeeeeeeeekkkkkkk, I had tears in my eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!) Beano is 2.
Lea :)

Hi Jackie,
I'm sorry, I don't wish for you to be upset as its obviously something that you care deeply about.
I would be very interested if you could email me - I don't wish to cause any heated debates, or upset anyone but only have my dogs welfare at heart.
Thanks
Lucy

I would wait until a year, castration, in most cases, has no bad side effects for most dogs.  It does not reduce their activity level, guarding or hunting ability and although their metabolic rate tends to slow as you are in charge of the food bowl reducing the intake should not be a problem.

I had two castrated males who were extremely active and NO dog tried to mount them :D