So we neutered Capone at 6 months old because I always thought that is what responsible pet owners do. To avoid behaviour problems as well as unwanted or accidental breedings. After reading here I will never spay or neuter my dog again before maturity, but now that its already done is there any guideline on how capone will differ from intact dogs?

I've heard they never mature, mature late, are lankier (he's much lankier than his dad), act like puppies their whole life, have less dog aggression, etc...so what is truth and what is myth? What are the cons of neutering before maturity?

I had my eldest boy done at 6 months and he's fine, more mature than the other boy only 4 months younger and not lanky at all. He doesn't have any aggression (been attacked twice never fought back) but he doesn't act like a puppy at all very mellow sort of boy who was actually doing pretty well at obedience work. From what I understand, JMO, desexing seems only to affect your dog if you want a working type dog?? I know there's a ton of stuff out there about this, hopefully someone with more experience can help answer your questions.

I had JD done at about 4 months for the same reasons you did. He is smaller and lankier, but he was the runt of his litter so I don't know which one really contributes to that.

I'll be curious to see what others say, too.

Cicero was done at 7 months and he's fairly lanky looking but that could also be because I keep him so thin to save his hips. He also didn't really mature until he was about 2.5 but I'm not sure that's all that out of the ordinary either. He's kind of a goof though...I think it's hard to say if any of that would have changed if I had waited.

Murphy was neutered before sexual maturity because I knew he was going to have to get along with everybody, including other males.

He's the only male Dobe I've ever had that was neutered so I don't know if it's common or not, but he is definitely taller and leggier than the other males. Murphy is very lanky, but his male predecessors have all been broad and stocky. His head and chest are also narrower. He did mature mentally though, and the only aspect of his personality that really seems 'puppy-like' is that he likes playing with other dogs. That is pretty foreign to my experience with adult male Dobes, and it's kinda nice that he's so friendly

Dobes are kind of dorky with 'their' people as a general rule, and Murphy is no exception. I don't believe he is any more or any less goofy than his parents and grandparents. They've all been pretty uniformly dorky

He's almost five and very healthy, and he's been very focused in training. He does lack that bit of 'edge' to his personality that I'm so used to with the males, but that was the point of neutering him. He would make a great AKC sport dog, but that lack of 'edge' would definitely be detrimental for the protection sports. Health-wise though, so far, so good. The jury is still out on what the long-term health effects might be though, if any. He's still too young to asses whether or not there will be consequences.

In terms of behavioural changes... I would be careful not to build up a pre-conception about any negatives that you may hear, sometimes that can cause the issue that you fear to happen.

What's done is done and Capone is an individual, don't wonder how he'll turn out, concentrate on turning him into the dog that you want.

 Quote: Tanith Wheeler

In terms of behavioural changes... I would be careful not to build up a pre-conception about any negatives that you may hear, sometimes that can cause the issue that you fear to happen.

What's done is done and Capone is an individual, don't wonder how he'll turn out, concentrate on turning him into the dog that you want.

HUGE ditto!

Very true, Good advice. I was just curious, and do realize it would differ per dog. Just wasn't sure if there were some attributes that are more often seen with a neutered male. Its good to know for future reference, or to help educate others.

 Quote: Kristel Smart

Murphy was neutered before sexual maturity because I knew he was going to have to get along with everybody, including other males.

He's the only male Dobe I've ever had that was neutered so I don't know if it's common or not, but he is definitely taller and leggier than the other males. Murphy is very lanky, but his male predecessors have all been broad and stocky. His head and chest are also narrower. He did mature mentally though, and the only aspect of his personality that really seems 'puppy-like' is that he likes playing with other dogs. That is pretty foreign to my experience with adult male Dobes, and it's kinda nice that he's so friendly

Dobes are kind of dorky with 'their' people as a general rule, and Murphy is no exception. I don't believe he is any more or any less goofy than his parents and grandparents. They've all been pretty uniformly dorky

He's almost five and very healthy, and he's been very focused in training. He does lack that bit of 'edge' to his personality that I'm so used to with the males, but that was the point of neutering him. He would make a great AKC sport dog, but that lack of 'edge' would definitely be detrimental for the protection sports. Health-wise though, so far, so good. The jury is still out on what the long-term health effects might be though, if any. He's still too young to asses whether or not there will be consequences.

Capones body compared to his father is exactly the same. Lankier smaller head, smaller chest etc...that's pretty interesting.

Thanks for the input guys!