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To Neuter ir Not To?????

690 views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  gdgli 
#1 ·
Hello I just joined and my Saint Sabastian is just over 5 months old. He is a beautiful healthy joy 85% of the time. Granted he is going through his teething and beginning to hump pillows and blankets..
I have sifted through so many different articles and blogs and I am so very confused.
To those of you who have owned purebred goldens with more experience than I can you share what you have done and why?
I have not had him fixed, my vet says that it could help with his fits of momentary need for dominance.. however I want to hold off my breeder agrees with waiting as she also is concerned about health problems in the future if he is fixed too young.
Do any of you have grown male goldens who you have chosen NOT to fix that you have had success in quelling some of the behaviors that come along with the randy male dog.
We love him to death and don't want to risk his health.
All suggestions and tips are welcome we are working through his adolescence!
thank you!
Shari & Bash
 
#2 ·
There are many threads on the forum devoted to the neutering question and the issue is controversial. In our case, we had thought we would not neuter Max. However, at about 7 months, Max started humping a lot and was having problems at dog park with other young male dogs. He was neutered at 8 months. While purebred, Max is not a typical Golden. He matured very early and at 8 months was already 99 pounds. The surgery went well and Max was back at dog park two weeks later. We saw a change in his behavior--less humping a more calmness. He is now 6.5 years old and doing very well. He is a certified therapy dog as well as a strong swimmer. He exhibits typical male behavior, such as lifting his leg to mark. He has been healthy. He is about 28 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs a trim 140 pounds.

I do think it is important to at least wait to neuter until the dog has reached maturity so that the adult hormones are released. I have read many of the studies on the subject; I have not seen anything definitive.
 
#3 ·
My male is now two years old. I have not neutered him. When I have neutered in the past it was only for health issues---cryptorchid, prostate issues, etc. I think that much of the unwanted male behavior is neither unusual nor unexpected if you understand dogs and have been around dogs long enough. See THE CULTURE CLASH by Jean Donaldson.
That being said, I would consult with my breeder. EARLY NEUTERING for the puppies I had bred would have voided the contract that I had with the owners.
 
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