Originally posted by Ron Bryant:
Ive changed my mind. I would definatly have him fixed.

Ron Have you met my dog? Or seen him work?
And when did I make any arrogant broad generalizations about your dog?

Are we a little defensive or what? No! And no! I also dont see any were that I made a "arrogant broad generalization" about your dog. From what you said He sounds as though his attitude. temperment and overall personality are as good or better than what I have.
You asked. Not me.
If I owned your dog Im sure I would love it as much as you do. But I would have it fixed!
You asked I answered.
Read what I wrote and what Lee wrote, weigh your options and make your decision.
JEEEEZ

Are we a little defensive or what?
Oh yes - I am. Sorry to have mis understood - I jumped to the conclusion that you were telling me that he should be neutered because he is white.
Totally my baggage - <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Begging forgiveness!!!!!

Victoria
check your PM
Ron

Thank you, Lee! Your post was excellent. You made a very valid point regarding vets and what they typically have to deal with. And thank you for disspelling the myths regarding neutering and loss of drive. Good answer!

Originally posted by Kali List:
Thank you, Lee! Your post was excellent. You made a very valid point regarding vets and what they typically have to deal with. And thank you for disspelling the myths regarding neutering and loss of drive. Good answer! Amen to that. Thank you Lee. *

I did neuter my male at 8 months. I did not know I would being doing schutzhund with him at that time. He is now 18 months and I've never seen any change in his drive. It might be that he is more puppish than many dogs, I'm not sure but that seems to be his personality. Maybe I just got lucky. I'm not really sure if I'd want to do that again if I had the chance. Would he be different? I don't know, but I'm all in favor of waiting until maturity. Once that drive (even that fraction of drive that might give you an edge) is lost, you can't get it back. You can always neuter when older, but once done, they can't sew them things back on.

 Quote:

You can always neuter when older, but once done, they can't sew them things back on.

This is true. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thank you lee. Could not have been better said.

hey victoria , i agree with what the other guys have said re ; sexually maturity , no loss in drive , etc . from my experience with my intact 10 year old border collie ( RCMP validated in ground search , tracking and avalanche search ) , i wish i had him snipped . when i first got him i had ideas of using him to create my next dog , but as i gained experience i came to realize that breeding is best left to the breeders . in your case however , with a white shepherd , you may be more closely involved with your breeder and they may have a more vested interest in the future breedabilty of your dog ; something to consider.
from speaking to some of my RCMP mentors , i've also come to realize that perhaps having a SAR dog who thinks that there are other things in life ,( like hot bitches ) may not be the best thing . it could even be suggested that you may wind up with a more focussed dog , free of the distraction of chasing women as an ever present " hobby" . also , some of those behaviours associated with such "hobbies" will be reduced or eliminated . ever see your "pisslicker " come skulking back from a scent post with the guilty pleasure of "quiver lips " crossing his face ? why not remove the false hope that exists in him , the one that says , if i just keep sniffing , maybe one day i'll get l#id , and let him concentrate on the task at hand . conversely , if you are prepared to accept the "whole" dog , and all that entails , ( behaviours , responsibilities ) then leaving him intact might be the correct decision for you . personally , that had been my philosophy with mr. scout , but every time he snuck out for a " night on the town " i wondered 1) if he would make it back , 2) get kidnapped , 3) get hit by a car 4) bite somebody , 5) poison himself , 6) get dragged off by coyotes , 7) or leave some unwanted progeny that i'm responsible for . to this day the only thing i'm sure of is 1-6 . thats a major consideration . don't think your dog won't get away from you at some time , because they will , and an intact dog is more likely to get away than one who is not . i don't mean planned escapes , but doors , gates get left open ......
my next dog , another BC , will be arriving soon . when the time is right , he'll be getting snipped . it's not a decision anyone should take lightly , but in the interest of first trying to create a better SAR BC , and second , acting more socially responsible , i'm going to change my thinking and give it a try . mr. scout , however , will be remaining intact
i agree with those posts supporting the vets . there is NO reason why the general pet public should not have their pets fixed .