Hello,

I have 2 terriers who are nearly 5 months old, one bitch one dog from the same litter.

First of all, I would like to get my dog neutered before the bitch comes into season for obvious reasons, but ive been reading mixed comments about getting your dog neutered at an early age, that it wouldnt develop fully etc so therefore im a bit worried about having him done. Would it matter what age we got him neutered? What age is the best age to have him done?

The vet has recomended that we have our bitch spayed after she has had her first season, but has anyone had their bitch done before their first season? If so was all ok?

Just trying to look at my options??

Does anyone have any info/help on this one please?

Thank you

It is best to leave neutering of both sexes until they are mature physically and somewaht mentally.

It can indeed alter their development in both areas if done in puppyhood, which may nto amtter in a mongrel pup from the dogs home but would certainly alter the look of your male and mostly effect your bitch mentally in my expereince.  Also urinary6 incontinence seems common in soem of the ehavier breeds in bitches that are spayed especially at a young age.

Hi Brainless
Do you know how it can affect a bitch mentally? I.e what could happen? (Just curious!)

Marianne

All the bitches that I know personally that have been spayed before a season seem to stay immature and puypoy like throughotu their lives.

One I bred myself who was 5 1/2 last time she came to stay and was spayed at 10 months after an early season is jsut so immature metally compared to any of mine, and was on a par with my then 11 month pup.

The pup is now much more mature than her great Aunt.  On the other hand her half brother (from same bitch who was a late maturer mentally, and didn't really grow up) was neutered at 3 years old,a dn there has been no change in him at all, other than he cannot reproduce.

Now the Peter Pan syndrome amy suit soem people but I rather liek the various stages of maturity.  Many people I know in Obedience have also foudn that they prefer to let their biotches mature mentaly before neutering them, veven if it means the inconveneince of a season or two.

Thanks. :) Yes I think this is pretty much the same that I've heard before.

Marianne

So you think i should wait? but will it not drive the male mad with the bitch being ins eason? If he is neutered before shes in season will he still try and get to her??

Thanks for the info.

You would probably have to keep them apart anyway as a recently neutered dog can still be fertile for quite some time.

Didn't you realise this would be a problem when you got the pups?

The best idea is to have someone look after the male for 4 weeks while the bitch has her season and for a week after.

If they are a small terrier breed then spaying at around a year of age should be mature enough.

Personally I would neuter the bitch in preference to the dog as then you have no worries about her being got at by any other dog, as if she is a smal terrier as she matures she may well try to get out to get mated, and they can be very good escape artists, especially digging their way to freedom.

Hi,
I am afraid I agree with Brainless, I personally think that Vet's do not tell
you the side effects of neutering. There are more than you think when they are
only pups. I don't know why breeders sell dogs and bitches from the same litter's with out
first telling you the down sides.
I personally would wait untill they are older. The dog will still mount the bitch after
being neutered, and they can still tie, but No! pups.
Regards
Denese