May 23, 2011
When should we neuter our working dog?
Full Question:
My GSD is approximatly 9 months old. He used to be a little hyper, very active, sometimes aggressive and showed signs of being very protective. Our vet recommended we have him fixed. Everything I read told me the same thing. I thought it was the best thing to do.Now, I'm not so sure. He seems to have changed. He lets friends of ours put their hands in his mouth, he lets other people correct him, he cowers very easily, like we beat him. I am worried that he will not be protective of my house or me. I don't want him to be afraid of my friends, I don't want him acting like they are family. What can I do? I wish I hadn't had him fixed!! What changes can I expect when I have my female spayed?
Kelly
Cindy's Answer:
If people are concerned about a dog that is too aggressive then they should definitely have it neutered at an early age. This is sound advise. Your e-mail is testimonial to the dramatic effect that this can have on the personality of the dog.
I also feel that the vast majority of animals are not breed quality and should never be bred. Nothing urks me more than to hear people say that they "just want to have one litter for their kids" - or worse yet "for their dog." There is only one reason to have a litter and that is to improve the breed.
The question of when to neuter a dog can be effected by what the goal is of the person who owns the dog. If it’s to be a police service dog or a personal protection dog I do not recommend neutering the dog until it is 18 to 24 months old. The dog needs its hormones to mature and develop. If neutering is delayed until this age the dog can be neutered and it will have "NO EFFECT" on its working ability or protection work. A personal friend had one of the toughest police service dogs I have ever seen, this dog was a monorchid (born with one testicle that never descended). It was neutered at 24 months of age and worked a full life in a major city. He had many many apprehensions with bites.
If a dog is neutered at 6 to 12 months it is going to have a dramatic effect on the personality of the dog. My experience is that these dogs will never do protection work.
I also feel that the vast majority of animals are not breed quality and should never be bred. Nothing urks me more than to hear people say that they "just want to have one litter for their kids" - or worse yet "for their dog." There is only one reason to have a litter and that is to improve the breed.
The question of when to neuter a dog can be effected by what the goal is of the person who owns the dog. If it’s to be a police service dog or a personal protection dog I do not recommend neutering the dog until it is 18 to 24 months old. The dog needs its hormones to mature and develop. If neutering is delayed until this age the dog can be neutered and it will have "NO EFFECT" on its working ability or protection work. A personal friend had one of the toughest police service dogs I have ever seen, this dog was a monorchid (born with one testicle that never descended). It was neutered at 24 months of age and worked a full life in a major city. He had many many apprehensions with bites.
If a dog is neutered at 6 to 12 months it is going to have a dramatic effect on the personality of the dog. My experience is that these dogs will never do protection work.
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