 How does neutering before maturity affect dog?
#117563 - 11/09/2006 02:02 PM |
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Before posting this, I did try the search, but while I found TONS of info on neutering, I didn't actually find the answer to my question...
I read that early neutering causes the dog to be "locked into immaturity" or similar statements. But what does that mean exactly? That his drives will be down? That he won't be protective? That it will affect his size? That he'll be more playful (puppy-ish?).
Neutering isn't a decision I have to deal with yet, but it will be soon enough. Feel free to just post a link to a prior post if I missed it. Thanks guys!
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Re: How does neutering before maturity affect dog?
[Re: Amber Morgan ]
#117564 - 11/09/2006 07:25 PM |
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Here's an article that is against EARLY spaying because the vet feels that hormones do have a place in our dog's normal growth. http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html
Just something to think about. And it's not about NEVER spaying/neutering, just waiting until they have really stopped growing.
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Re: How does neutering before maturity affect dog?
[Re: Jenn Kavanaugh ]
#117565 - 11/09/2006 10:35 PM |
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For example, if the femur has achieved its genetically determined normal length at 8 months when a dog gets spayed or neutered, but the tibia, which normally stops growing at 12 to 14 months of age continues to grow, then an abnormal angle may develop at the stifle. In addition, with the extra growth, the lower leg below the stifle likely becomes heavier (because it is longer), and may cause increased stresses on the cranial cruciate ligament. In addition, sex hormones are critical for achieving peak bone density.(4) These structural and physiological alterations may be the reason why at least one recent study showed that spayed and neutered dogs had a higher incidence of CCL rupture.(5) Another recent study showed that dogs spayed or neutered before 5 1/2 months had a significantly higher incidence of hip dysplasia than those spayed or neutered after 5 1/2 months of age, although it should be noted that in this study there were no standard criteria for the diagnosis of hip dysplasia.(6) Nonetheless, breeders of purebred dogs should be cognizant of these studies and should consider whether or not pups they bred were spayed or neutered when considering breeding decisions.
that was from the chris zink article, and it makes perfect sense to me, based on my own experience. a dog i adopted at age two had terrible structural problems that his breeder says were not evident at all in him as a pup, and the above would explain his particular issues. he was neutered before he was six months old.
i've deliberately let my puppies reach maturity without neutering for this reason. i have a giant breed, so this issue is something that is even more critical and something longtime fanciers of the breed have always been concerned about. a giant dog with poor structure is very often a crippled dog.
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Re: How does neutering before maturity affect dog?
[Re: alice oliver ]
#117566 - 11/10/2006 09:54 AM |
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That was a really informative article and I shared it with a friend of mine who's in vet school. So then, is the problem mostly dealing with physical issues or are there mental issues as well? I know it can curb aggression, marking, humping, etc. if done at an early age but those things are usually listed as positives. One thing I thought was odd about the article is that they said early neutering can cause unwanted sexual behaviour and aggression (in males). I thought one of the big selling points in early neutering is that it causes a decrease in aggression and unwanted sexual activity (humping, etc.)? I'm confused.
What are the "mental" negatives? I've heard that the dog won't be as good in Schutzund work. What about competitive obedience and agility? Are they less trainable in general if neutered too young?
I will not breed my dog, as I don't know enough about breeding and won't pretend to. But I also don't want to neuter too soon if there are big cons to it. I have family that will really be on me to neuter as soon as possible but if I have a lot of info on why I'm waiting, that would really help.
Thanks!
Carbon |
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Re: How does neutering before maturity affect dog?
[Re: Amber Morgan ]
#117567 - 11/10/2006 11:56 AM |
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Hmmm, I wonder if they could possibly have meant females, not males ??? Altered bitches (especially high-drive alpha types) can become more aggressive & engage in more dominance mounting DUE to being spayed, since removing the ovaries results in higher levels of testosterone in their systems...
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Re: How does neutering before maturity affect dog?
[Re: Amber Morgan ]
#117568 - 11/10/2006 12:37 PM |
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Neutering is no substitute for good training. Also, apparently neutering has something to do with an increased incidence of malignant cancers. Also, often it can take the edge off these behaviors but I know of several dogs that have been neutered around 6-8 months of age but still have aggression and dominance issues. I deal with one of these regularly. Again, neutering is not a fix-all; good training, leadership, and letting your dog mentally mature are. When I get a dog, I would not neuter it unless a health problem cropped up that warranted it.
http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/castrationindogs.html
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Re: How does neutering before maturity affect dog?
[Re: Candi Campbell ]
#117569 - 11/10/2006 12:56 PM |
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Candi, I knew of the increase in aggression in females, too, but this is what it said about behaviour:
Behavioral Considerations
"A recent report of the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation reported significantly more behavioral problems in spayed and neutered bitches and dogs. The most commonly observed behavioral problem in spayed females was fearful behavior and the most common problem in males was aggression.(12)"
Weird, huh? It's commonly held that, in males, it decreases aggression. Maybe in a select few dogs it doesn't, OR it could be that the dogs were neutured very young (before showing signs of aggression) and that had they not been neutered would have wound up being even more aggressive. I doubt the study addresses how the owner handled them which I think is important in dominance issues.
At any rate, dominance isn't really what I'm wondering about, although it's interesting. I was just wondering if dogs neutered before maturity would be less trainable...shorter attention span, less focus, etc.
Thanks for your input.
Carbon |
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Re: How does neutering before maturity affect dog?
[Re: Amber Morgan ]
#117570 - 11/10/2006 02:58 PM |
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I have a relative who is a vet, and of course a local vet for my dog. Something that surprised me after I got my dog and started looking at issues of diet, vaccinations, neutering, etc., is that the science just doesn't seem to be there. There haven't been a lot of studies to back up peoples opinions. So you end up hoping you can find someone you can trust for good advice.
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Re: How does neutering before maturity affect dog?
[Re: Amber Morgan ]
#117571 - 11/10/2006 03:04 PM |
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I know that early spaying of females can lead to incontinence in later life <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> But on the pro side: for females decreased chances of mammary cancer & pyometra (sp?), and decreased chance of prostate cancer for males. There was a thread here I recall reading where someone actually broke it down into the % of it developing according to age/# of heats.
As far as the mental part of it goes, I don't know, but it makes sense to wait until the animal is mature to allow the hormones to do their thing. As for neutering increasing or decreasing aggression, again, I don't know, but we never allowed our dogs to be people or animal aggressive in the first place.
Good luck with everything!
"A dog is a mirror of a man's soul" |
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Re: How does neutering before maturity affect dog?
[Re: Amber Morgan ]
#117572 - 11/10/2006 03:08 PM |
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At any rate, dominance isn't really what I'm wondering about, although it's interesting. I was just wondering if dogs neutered before maturity would be less trainable...shorter attention span, less focus, etc.
Not that I've noticed, but all I can compare it to is my family's dogs.
"A dog is a mirror of a man's soul" |
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