[Espi]

I have a five month old rotti shepard mix (we think not sure) and was wondering when I should have him neuter? I want to wait for as long as possible because he had such a rough start in life. He was abandoned in a garbage can with his seven litter mates at a day old, I got him the next day. My hang up is that my roomie has a six month old standard poodle, she does not plan on having her spayed intill she is eight months. Everthing I've read says to neuter at six months and thats what my vet who I work for told me too, but I was just wondering... Thoughts, suggestions??

[Lara's mom]

5 - six months is the usual time to neuter/spay.

[Yogi]

The primary goal is to neuter before they come into their first season. This includes males which they start their maturity at approx 6 months. By doing this at 6 months it helps to eliminate the marking etc. that waiting can create and then become habit. In addition, it actually will help the dog especially if it has gone through all that you state. I would take the vets suggestion and have it done soon. Good luck.

[Espi]

Thanks for the replies!

[mrandrei]

Vets tend to do it as early as 6 months, because this is when dogs reach sexual maturity.

[Yogi]

It must also be noted that some of us have a great deal of experience with dogs as well as cats and therefore a vets decision is not always one that some of us blindly accept. I have been raising, breeding as well as rescuing dogs (long before dog rescues were in existence) for over 50 years. My personal experience has proven to me that a dog neutered by 6 months in fact is far less likely to start with the habits most finding annoying such as marking territory. This is an inherit trait that comes about when they start to come into season and yes males also come into season. It is brought on when a female comes into season at which time traits start to develop and then become habit. A dog neutered after it has started is more times than not going to quit what is now a habit. To assume that vets make the decision with regards to this is simply naive and an assumption based on lack of experience and dog knowledge. I recommend it based on far more years raising and breeding than most here and can attest to the fact that it does in fact show results that are positive. This though is why many vets recommend the age of 5 to 6 months.
Fact is that for over 60 to 70 years, farm animals have been neutered at 8 to 12 weeks. The healing time is less than half and they have had no issues with regards to health etc with the animals. Many rescues neuter and spay young now too. Veterinary clinics in most states will do the procedures younger if the vet has studied the courses that are being offered. This is not out of the norm at all. I personally recommend 6 months solely based on personal experience with all my males for over 50 years.
Your choice is yours, but to note a question was asked and opinions were given and to assume that they were based on the advice of a vet is simply an assumption not fact. Especially in my case.