Thank you for finding the article Leih.

 Quote: steve strom

You forgot handsome.

Send me a photo. Whoever did the video of you and the dog photographed you from the neck down most of the time.

Thanks for digging up that article, Leigh. 1444 Golden Retreivers is certainly an ample sample size. That looks to be a scientfically responsible study. Personally, 14 months or beyond will be my neuter time from now on (well, not me personally - you know what I mean... :blush

 Quote: LucilleHollander

 Quote: steve strom

You forgot handsome.

Send me a photo. Whoever did the video of you and the dog photographed you from the neck down most of the time.

Take a look at the Enquirer. There's usually a couple shots of me with Angelina.

 Quote: Lauren Jeffery

Well, your much braver than me!

There is no doubt in my mind that that dog would have been waiting at my door everyday if my dog went into season. He was nasty.

I might have forgotten to mention the .45 in my waistband when Danke is in season.

Which joy of joys, it appears she is in, again. *sigh*

Having a gun is definitely an advantage. Much better choice than going bare knuckle against a 90 pound, aggressive, sex crazed GSD.

Too bad I'm terrified of guns! My weakling northeastern liberal self just can't do it.

I kept many of my dogs intact (and confined) way back when since I was showing them in confirmation. (I don't do that anymore, I've learned a lot since then lol). Anyway, my boys were always fairly easy to handle and, with proper management, I had no unplanned litters, no indoor marking, etc.
I had a pair of intact females that fought when ever they could. (Try to crate and rotate with kids and an idiot soon to be 'ex' in the house *sigh*). The vet advised spaying them to 'decrease aggression and make them mellow.' Not only did I loose a nice bitch for breeding, but the fights grew more intense and freguent. Apparantly, spaying doesn't help with DA. Seems, at least in this case, to make it worse.
Also, he advised me to neuter my current male to calm him down, I swear, he got worse. He is very intense and active. Neutering did nothing to help, only training,confinement and supervision did.
Thank Leerburg I now have pack structure training and the dog fights/posturing seem to be a thing of the past. I also don't alter any one unless needed for their health. ie: my BC with AIHA.
I agree though, the 'average' pet owner should spay/neuter, but not as young as the vets advise.
(now, at what age should I geld my colts?)

Edited by Lisa skinner (07/19/2010 12:13 AM)
Edit reason: to ask a goofy question

I just saw that there is an Ebook available here on neutering. There is a short list of certain breeds of dogs that are recommended for neutering between six and nine months if they are going to be pets, listed were Rottweilers, pit bulls, chows and akitas. Does that mean that obedience training is not sufficient for these kinds of dogs?

Akitas and Chows are known to be breeds with a streak of independence in their personality. Low pack drive. This makes reliable obedience training a challenge. These dogs generally need to be started very young for obedience to ever be reliable. You don't have a lot of time to get it right. Being guarding breeds, it can be a dangerous situation if the dog owner is not vigilant with training

With Rottweilers and pit bulls if there is dominance or aggression present in an individual dog it is often more than the average pet owner can ever handle.

(plenty of people would disagree with this kind of blanket statement)

I don't think it is bad advice for the average pet owner. These are breeds that many people shouldn't own at all. So many people still pick dogs based on looks alone and don't do any research. Then they don't do any obedince training untill the dog is a year old and already a monster, if ever.

if early neutering enhances public safety, I'm all for it.


Edited by Lauren Jeffery (07/19/2010 07:10 AM)
Edit reason: need coffee

 Quote: Lauren Jeffery

if early neutering enhances public safety, I'm all for it.

I appreciate your good explanation, thank you. So because you are saying if neutering enhances public safety,

1) there may be in fact a correlation between neutering and behavior?
2) aside from health issues, it should be done between 6 and 9 months if done to prevent future aggressive behavior?