i took my 12wk old boxer for his final jabs and chip yesterday where i was told it is best to have him castrated at 6-8months (he has a undecended testicle). i personally think this is to young but my partners says that he is the proffessional and i am the sensitive pet owner.
would this cause his coat to dull and his development to slow because at the minute, minus one testicle his condition is excellent.
thank you for your time
em

Hi Emma.
At 12 weeks old there is plenty of time for his other testicle to descend. I would wait untill about 12mths if I were you, but if not come down by then, yes get him castrated. Testicles are situated on the outside because they need to retain a lower temperature than body temperature, this increase in temperature inside the body is one factor that can produce tumours in un-descended testicles. His coat shouldn't alter at all, neither should his maturing.
Dawn.

thank you dawn for putting my mind at rest. The vet was fairly insistent that if it hadn't dropped by now it never would. I just felt 6 months was to young. im happier with 1 year old. He has some naughty intentions with his towl and bed already (he thinks hes dirk diggler).
em

And you do not have to have both removed, just the undecended one is all that is necessary.

If castrated at such a young age he is unlikely to be as muscular or as well boned as he other wise would be, and is likely to stasy bitchy in head!

I would wait until he is older if you want him to look like a beefy kind of guy.

Hi Emma
I went through exactly the same thing with my boxer boy. He had one undescended testicle and my vet wanted to get him done as soon as possible. I spoke to the breeder who we got Charlie of and she said 6 months is to young. The dog needs to mature first and there really is no rush. I'm not saying you shouldn't get him done eventually because undescended testicles can cause problems such as cancer or prostate problems. Wait until he is about 18 months, when he is more mature. And when he is ready for the operation make sure the vet doesen't use ACP on him, like my vet did with my boy, he nearly killed him. Can you call the breeder you got him off for advice from them? There usually is a history when it comes to undescended testicles and they might be able to give you a better idea.
Good luck with him and keep us informed, i also like to hear stories about boxers!!!

yes i can talk to the breeder as he is very fond of bradley. I just want the absolute best for him (like we all do for our dogs) and sometimes when i act on gut instinct i can be wrong. i really want him to develop to his optimum. i am addimant thet he will not be castrated until he is at least 18 months i will battle with the other half. how old is your boxer?
emma

Hi Emma
My boxer is now 18 months old and has very recently been castrated. The operation went fine and I am really glad that I waited until he was mature. I have also recently got another puppy, Harry who is 12 weeks. The vet said I should have him castrated at 6 months as he is very dominant, I said not a chance!!! I do appreciate the vets do know what they are doing but sometimes I think that they are motivated by money! Luckily for me the breeder that my boys came from is a very helpful and has researced throughly into the pros and cons of castration, i trust her 100 per cent.
Have you had a boxer before? What is the name of the breeder that you got Bradley from?

ive never owned a boxer before (people tell me im very brave). my partner has ive only owned collies (totally different)
the breeders name is jeff comes from swindon. bradley kc name is juniper jedi. He is very supportive. i long to get advise from any boxer owner.

my vet also advised me to get my boxer boy done at six months, i havent taken his advice either, i think its to early i will get him done when he is a year old i think. he is seven months now. i also have a 9 week old girl who is going to be spayed before her first season, great fun arent they ?

If its too early to get ur male fixed at 6 months why would u get ur girl fixed before her first heat? She would be way to young too and her vagina will not be properly grown. Me now I would wait knowing what I know now after being on this forum. I guess if u cannot garentee she will not get pregnant then I would have her spayed too, better safe then sorry.

ttfn :)