castration!

[chirpychirpy]

if you're going to get your pet dog castrated, what age should he ideally be?

[rsvp]

the usual age is between 6 and twelve months. check it out with your vet.

[lankeela]

Any time, although I would prefer to wait till after about six months so he has matured a bit.

[divegirl]

What breed of Dog is it? Some of the giant breeds are best left until 18 months.

Lisa x

[jules77]

I would wait until they are 18 months at least, but I wouldnt have a male castrated unless there was a medical reason to do so anyway.

[Purple_Popple]

6 months, before any of his male 'undesirable' characteristics kick in....such as spending too long reading the local lamposts, cocking his leg every 40 paces, drooling and generally slobbering at every 'sexy' smell he gets to sniff lol !! If you are not going to breed from him, it will save his frustration in the long run and no risk of testicular cancer when he gets older.

[DTCwordfan]

your poor boyfriend - about to be castrated.....

[jules77]

My males dont cock their leg every 40 paces, you need to train them not to do so. There 'are' disadvantages for castration too........prostrate cancer is four times as likely in a neutered dog to one that isnt, urinary tract cancer also increases by double.

[woofgang]

My breed is HPR I would wait until at least a year pref longer so that the dog is properly mature. Our first dog was entire for most of his life (neutered for prostate problems aged 12) our current two were a risk to themselves at 18 months so we got them done. Castration don't automatically stop the unwanted behaviours, you need training as well. IMO what castration can do if it is needed is make it easier for the dog to change their behaviour by removing one of the behaviour drivers.