Fixing My GSD

tting1010 · 02-12-2007, 03:32 PM

At what age should I fix my male GSD? He is currently 6 months old to the day. My trainer says wait a year because he needs the hormones but my Vet says do it now because it is less painfull for him.

Any advice would be welcommed.

Thanks
Tim

all4thedogs · 02-12-2007, 03:44 PM

Personally with large breeds I like to wait until they are 12-18 months, BUT you have to be VERY VERY responsible if you are going to wait. Your dog can NOT be allowed to breed. This means no unsupervised outdoor time.

If you cant supervise him at all times, I would suggest neutering him now.

I waited until my Great Dane was 11 months, but he started showing behaviors I didnt want, so I had him neutered immediatly. I had no intentions of breeding him, I just wanted him to reach his full potential size. He NEVER bred a female, and never will. He was much easier to get along with after his neuter.

I neutered my GSD at 6 months, and he is an amazing dog. Not to big, not to small, and has an amazing temperment. He did decide to lift his leg, but I guess that comes with having a male dog

Curbside Prophet · 02-12-2007, 03:48 PM

What does he need his hormones for? Can you explain this a little further?

tting1010 · 02-12-2007, 03:59 PM

I have no idea. I believe he might have meant to wait so his growth didn't get stunted. I will ask him to clarify that statement during his next visit.

judith2950 · 02-12-2007, 04:01 PM

I fixed mine at a year and that was to long. My other one at 2 years. I feel if you are nit going to breed then fix them at 6 months. It is much better for them .
Judi

German Shepherd Lover · 02-12-2007, 08:32 PM

Personally I would't have him fixed if he isn't around female dogs that come in season. I believe the dogs stay healthier longer that aren't neutered.

If they are going to be around females that aren't fixed he will go nuts though.

Fixed dogs imo get fat and lazy. A vet I know reccommended not neutering a dashund to give it time to strenghten his back muscles as he grew up. If he ain't humping leave him alone.

logan's mom · 02-12-2007, 09:13 PM

I have always heard that the dog stays healthier if they are fixed. I had my GSD neutered at 9 months old. My vet suggested that we wait till he was at least 1 year old. The reason: He said the testosterone would help his ears to stay up and stay strong. Took him in at 9 months because he kept trying to hump everything and everyone. He is 6 years old now and is no way fat or lazy. Dogs get fat and lazy due to lack of exercise, not from being fixed.

Wimble Woof · 02-13-2007, 12:15 AM

A male dog will do anything for a female in season... the best training in the world can not come near to a dog on a "mission"...
They dont get fat and lazy... that is a myth for sure. Diet and excersise (or lack there of) cause that.
An unaltered dog has the risk of testicular cancer as number one preventable health concern...
I have heard too that its best to wait approx 12 months to ensure proper growth and what not, but I dont see the reasoning behind it at all.
I'd say get him neutered as soon as you can or are comfortable with... BUT if you choose to wait, be responsible (very very responsible) about it. If he catches the scent of a female in season, who knows what he'll do to get toher.

Alpha · 02-13-2007, 12:36 AM

There is a lot of debate over what age to neuter a dog. My dog was done at 6 months (to remain compliant with the law where I live).

If you are absolutely sure that you can supervise him responsibly I would wait until around 14 months, IMO only so he can reach full size. Neutered dogs are NOT any less healthier, just sometimes a bit more lanky and rangy.

Neutering a dog that you never plan on breeding is one of the best decisions you'll make for your dog. It will make training a lot easier and the biggest HEALTH ISSUE is cancer. Testicular cancer. It may sound ridiculous but s/n animals prevents them from ever having to suffer through a reproductive organ cancer.

I don't think the question is

WHY NEUTER MY DOG.

But rather, WHY NOT?!?!?!

lovemygreys · 02-13-2007, 07:21 AM

If he's a pet dog, there's absolutely no reason he shouldn't or can't be neutered at six months old. There are too many dogs dying in shelters every day that are offspring of responsible owners who were just SURE their little Fluffy or Fido wouldn't get loose and contribute to the pet overpopulation problem....and then they did.

For performance animals (and obviously show dogs) I do have a different standard, but for strictly a companion animal the sooner the better when it comes to spay/neuters.

tting1010 · 02-13-2007, 08:31 AM

Thank you all for the great advice

Wimble Woof · 02-13-2007, 08:45 AM

Aww, what a cutie!!!!

crazydog06 · 02-13-2007, 10:34 AM

I think it is cute at how GSP have big ears because they have not grown into them!

Look at those cute ears!

German Shepherd Lover · 02-15-2007, 05:43 PM

Looks to me that most of the posters here must be women..

Off with their testicles!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow .. Dogs have feelings too, don't you know?

bearlasmom · 02-15-2007, 10:23 PM

GSD are different from other dogs so they should be left unspayed or neutered for the first year (minimum) unless they have a conditon that entails having it done earlier. They need the extra hormones in order to help ear and bone growth that is proper to the breed and to avoid issues later such as elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, diabetes, musculator growth problems etc

GSD also need the extra hormone longer because they are pups much longer than most breeds. Where most dogs are considered adult at age 1, GSD are just hitting teen. We had to have Bearla spayed because she developed ovarian cysts before the age of one. Have your GSD also checked for hemophilia and Vonwilebrand disease as well even though the breeder probably told you the dog was free of the diseases. We almost lost bearla during her spay procedure because they could not get the bleeding under control due to a genetic transformable bleeding disorder and it cost us close to $2000 in transfusions to save her. I would do it again but it is better to beaware of these type of diseases then you can ensure that they are given a specific med BEFORE the surgery that will protect them from hemorage.

by the poster, the pup is adorable and germanshepherd lover, lmao, i dont believe in OFF WITH THEIR HEADS SO TOO SPEAK AND I AM A WOMAN, LMAO

Snowshoe · 02-15-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearlasmom

GSD are different from other dogs so they should be left unspayed or neutered for the first year (minimum) unless they have a conditon that entails having it done earlier. They need the extra hormones in order to help ear and bone growth that is proper to the breed and to avoid issues later such as elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, diabetes, musculator growth problems etc

Why are they different from other dogs? All dogs can get the diseases you mentioned, fixed or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearlasmom

GSD also need the extra hormone longer because they are pups much longer than most breeds. Where most dogs are considered adult at age 1, GSD are just hitting teen.

This is actually true of any large breed dog.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearlasmom

We had to have Bearla spayed because she developed ovarian cysts before the age of one. Have your GSD also checked for hemophilia and Vonwilebrand disease as well even though the breeder probably told you the dog was free of the diseases.

It doesn't sound like you got her from a reputable breeder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearlasmom

We almost lost bearla during her spay procedure because they could not get the bleeding under control due to a genetic transformable bleeding disorder and it cost us close to $2000 in transfusions to save her. I would do it again but it is better to beaware of these type of diseases then you can ensure that they are given a specific med BEFORE the surgery that will protect them from hemorage.

by the poster, the pup is adorable and germanshepherd lover, lmao, i dont believe in OFF WITH THEIR HEADS SO TOO SPEAK AND I AM A WOMAN, LMAO

Sorry about your pup. I know it's gotta be hard to almost lose one that you love. You sound like you're a great owner, to take that much time and money and spend it all on her.

skelaki · 02-16-2007, 02:46 AM

The only reason to wait to neuter, other than just personal preference, is if you plan to participate in confirmation or certain dog sports such as French Ring or Schutzhund. For dogs that will be strictly pets or in sports such as participate in obedience, rally, agility or flyball there's no reason to not have them neutered.

German Shepherd Lover · 02-17-2007, 08:05 AM

I believe anyone that neuters a dog before it is at least one year old is compromising the dogs health. The dog needs the proper hormones to develope it's whole body. Our vet recommended that in order for the back muscles to develope fully to protect the dog from back problems, to wait at least a full year before neutering him.

What is the big rush, especially on a German Shepherd? They very seldom become nuisance humpers and need the extra strenght to hold up those big ears.

threedognite · 02-17-2007, 01:00 PM

Get your dog neutered now. I agree with some of the other posters. A dog gets "fat and lazy" when they: don't get enough exercise, are fed too many treats and are fed people food. By this I mean food that has sugar and other things on it that animals don't need.
I also agree with the person who told you that when an unsterilized male smells a bitch in heat, the male dog will do ANYTHING to get to her. He will dig under the fence, jump over the fence, try to jump through windows, bolt out the door and forget about taking him for his daily walk. If he's strong enough he will pull your arm off to get away from you.
I disagree with your vet although they are suppose to be experts. Maybe your vet never owned an unsterilized male dog?

Cassie Nova · 02-17-2007, 03:24 PM

Fat dogs are due to lazy and careless owners. Your dog will not be fat just because you neuter it. Scamp has been neutered since he was 4 months old and he is NOT fat OR lazy. Now he's 10 so he's calmed down a bit, but he still runs like the wind sometimes.

FYI: Any dog that is medium, large or x-large will not be an "adult" until 2 or more. Border collies supposedly only hit their teens at 2 and become an adult at 3! That's why a 2 year old BC is at the "terrible twos" stage.