We just took home a soft coated wheaten who is only 8 weeks old. I was shocked when they told me that he was already neutered. The puppy was born on 7/24/08 and neutered in the first week of september. Does this mean the dog was taken from its siblings and mother prematurely? I always believed that neutering didn't take place until at least a few months have passed. Any insight to the topic would be appreciated.

As vetenary anesthetics become more advanced, altering younger animals is becoming safer and lower risk.

Many breeders are now desexing their litters before even leaving, saving the hassels and risks of spay/ neuter contracts. If its done before leaving, there is no risk of these dogs becoming the next victim of a BYB or miller.

Whilst in some instances, it may not always appropriate for early neuter or spay, however some of the bigger breed pups bounce back from this surgery very well, and are back with the breeder and its mum and litter mates in little time, ready to learn to be someones friend and companion.

We had our boy neutered early, and noticed no ill effect from this including overall growth......... There certainly was no lack of it.

Pediatric spay/neuter is becoming more common place and perfectly acceptable in most breeds. In large dog breeds, there are legitimate reasons not to do pediatric speuters. Being involved in rescue all our animals are altered prior to placement. When we do get puppies in (which isn't often unless we take in a pregnant female) we have the option of either keeping them in foster care for 6 months or doing pediatric speuters...I opt for the speuters.

With the changes that the AKC is proposing to registration, the only true way responsible, ethical & moral breeders will be guaranteed that their "pet" quality dogs are not being used for breeding is to alter them prior to placement. Being involved in rescue for the last 5 yrs and seeing first hand the product of poor breeding, puppymills & backyard breeders, the more we can do to eliminate unwanted breeding the better.

Be thankful that your dog has already been neutered...the chances of him ever hiking his leg are slim. I have an almost 12 mo old intermediate Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican Hairless) that was born in a spay/neuter clinic in Oklahoma, he was altered at 8 weeks old and he still squats to pee. My breed (Chinese Cresteds and Xolos) are known for marking issues but we don't have the problem with Hans.

It also depends on your breed of dog. If you have a Lab, Golden, Rottie or other medium to large breed you should wait to neuter. The dogs need the testosterone so the growth plates will "close" at the proper time.
The larger dogs can get up to 10% longer/taller but not muscle up like they should because of early neutering. If you have a larger dog, wait until at least 12 months.

I was told to wait till at least 7 months for my GoldenLab. For growth reasons. He had already started humping but having him fixed stopped him from doing it like he was. Every now and then his favorite blankie will still get him going.

[wishbone]

This might affect your dog's growth but on the other way, it will help for his health too. Overall it will be just fine.