This is a silly question neuter or not to does it make a difference on their drive? I'm starting out with my 1st SAR pup(worked with an adult dog that didn't work out due to aggression)and since I don't know if I'll ever use him for breeding since I'm not a breeder. I'll be starting him out in TTD since I live in Canada and the trainer I'm working with recomends it(RCMP certified).
I am on a SAR team and have met many other people and virtually all females get spayed and a lot of the males (but fewer than females) neutered.
Many like to let the males mature, though - about 2 years or so before they neuter. The reason that has been given is not that it impacts drive, but that the males neutered at a young age can grow spindly (look at horses) and lankier without as much bone density and muscle definiton as those neutered later. Also, many feel that dogs are more *adult* if left intact until they mature.
Most I know also wait until one or two heats for the female to allow her to mature emotionally as well.
I neutered my last dog at 4 years old and it did not affet his drive one bit. My newest dog is 3 years old and I am going to have him neutered this year. I was concerned about drives with my first dog, but it was a non isssue. Just my 2 cents of experience.
My SAR team requires that all dogs are spayed or nutered within 6 months of certification. I have no intention of rushing through Thunder's certification. The people at the Schutzhund club I belong to have told me they will choke me when I do because of the potential the say my dog has.
On a personel side, males on the SAR team that have been nutered young, are BUTT UGLY looking coyote rejects! Did I say that with my outloud voice?! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
What if those dogs that are SAR dogs are also breeding and/or show dogs? Would someone like that just have to find a new SAR group? What a ridiculous rule, IMO.
I should add that this was done due to a prostate problem that was developing and he was full grown physically and mentally. Our department does not allow our dogs to be bred so that is a non issue as well.
I understand the dilema involved in SAR organization. If you own the dog that should be your decision whether you will use the dog eventually for breeding. My department owns the dog and I don't disagree with their policy. They after all own and finacially care for the dog.
Originally posted by Steven Noonan:
I understand the dilema involved in SAR organization. If you own the dog that should be your decision whether you will use the dog eventually for breeding. My department owns the dog and I don't disagree with their policy. They after all own and finacially care for the dog. By the same token, it takes a lot of volunteer time and people to train a dog and if that dog is a female, having it out of commission during heat cycles, and possibly breeding, would be a burden on the team that the team should have a voice in as to whether or not it is acceptable to them. I agree on males.
Nancy...I understand what you are saying that is why I said it was a dilema. My only point was that I respected our departments position on not breeding the dogs. Therefore neutering them is a not a big consequence for us. I guess you would have to decide where you feel your heart is and whether the dog is in the right position. In other words you may have to forgo using the dog in breeding if you are going to use it in SAR. It is choice that people with females have to make.....
I guess because I'm a breeder I see it differently, but I don't think it's *that* big a deal for a female to be out 10 days or so every 4-6 months. For that matter, I don't really see why a female couldn't participate in searches when in season. JMO though! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
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