Neutering my German Shepherd

Question
QUESTION: Someone told me if you neuter your dog before he is fully grown it could stunt his growth.  Is this true?  I was thinking about neutering my pup at 6 months age.  Thanks for your help in advance.

ANSWER: No, it is not true that neutering will stunt your pet's growth.  Some people feel and it is debated among breeders and trainers that one should wait when spaying a female until after her first heat so that it helps her to mature.  However, many professionals disagree with this stand.  Waiting can cause unwanted pregnancies and cost more at the vet when spaying later.


What is neutering?

Neutering is the surgical removal of the reproductive organs of a pet. This includes the ovaries and uterus in the female (spaying) or the testicles in the male (castration, neutering). Veterinarians send most pets home from the hospital the same day or the day after surgery. Pets resume normal activity within a day or two.

What are the advantages?

   * Prevents messy spotting of blood in female dogs and urine spraying in female cats during heat periods
   * Prevents females from attracting groups of male strays while in heat
   * Decreases the male's urge to spray urine to mark territory and to fight over females in heat
   * Decreases embarrassing inappropriate mounting behavior in male pets.
   * Reduces or eliminates intermale fighting, irritable aggression of females in heat, and dominance aggression. Neutering does not affect guarding behavior.
   * Reduces tendency to roam or try to escape, thus reducing your pet's chances of becoming lost or injured.
   * Spayed females are not susceptible to life- threatening reproductive tract tumors, infection of the uterus, and complications from pregnancy.
   * The incidence of breast tumors (which occur in over half of unspayed female dogs) is less than 1% in dogs spayed prior to the first heat.
   * Prevents enlarged prostate (occurs in 60% of older dogs); prostate tumors and infections; and perineal hernias and tumors in males.
   * Saves you money on veterinary care, since your pet is likely to remain healthier, and you won't bear the expense of medical care for your pet and her litter should she become pregnant.

Won't my pet get fat and lazy if neutered?

Activity will decline as your pet gets older, even if you don't neuter. Neutered pets may require less food...and that means money saved. Adjust amounts of food and exercise to keep your pet in the trim.

Neutering your pet helps stop needless deaths of homeless pets

There aren't enough homes for the thousands of excess pets in our community. Even if you can place your pet's accidental or planned litter, an equal number of pets will be euthanized for lack of a home.

For more Help on raising your puppy check out the help section of my website, read other questions at All Experts or consider purchasing some good books to assist through the many growth stages and behaviors your puppy with go through.

Glad to be of assistance

Gallant German Shepherds
http://www.gallantshepherds.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My Shepherd is a male.  Glad to hear neutering will not stunt his growth.  What age should I get him neutered?  You mentioned that they may eat less after being neutered.  What causes them to eat less?  Thanks.

Answer
I usually recommend that pet owners spay and neuter pursuant to the recommendation of their vet. Usually around 4-6 Months.  The six months you have mentioned is a common age for spaying and neutering would be fine for your guy.  

It is still a good idea to discuss this with your vet when going in for your shots, usually given from 6-8 Weeks, then in another month, and one more month after that, followed up annually as recommended by your vet.  The key would be to neuter before he has the capability to impregnate a female which can happen somewhere in that age bracket.

A German Shepherd is a high energy dog and will have plenty of energy until well after he has fully matured.  They are herding dogs and accustomed to great stamina and strength.  An Adult German Shepherd could essentially work all day with no problem.  Mine will be trained to do 20 KM runs on a regular basis.  

A German Shepherd's energy depends on the lifestyle of the owner, amount of training, walks, runs, etc. the owner will take the dog on.  If the lifestyle is active, the decrease in appetite won't be so noticeable.  If the dog has an active lifestyle like biking, etc, he may even require a special dog food for active dogs.   However, if the lifestyle of the owner is average or less active, with age, dog is also less active, the decrease in appetite will accompany that.  

Basically, neutering slows your dog down more in adulthood than he would be slowed down intact.   A neutered male is not ruled by his hormones as an intact male is who are regularly known to go crazy over, and relentless in efforts to get to a female in heat, even opening both doors and cages in different parts of a house or yard, even leaping 6 foot fences, to get at females.  The  male's reproductive system cause hormonal surges that can drive him to ignore your commands, to lift his leg and mark on your belongings, to escape from your yard, roam to find a female in heat, and even to get lost or to pick a fight with other male dogs, and/or to be attacked by other male dogs, For dominance and fights over females.  Neutering a male also reduces the risk of both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer and helps your pet more calm and affectionate.

Most importantly neutering reduces unwanted pregnancies.  Today there are 1/4 Million Rescued Pets in The US & Canada waiting for homes Registered at http://www.Petfind.com.  Of the German Shepherds, many of these are uncared for mixes or unregistered purebred breeds. http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?tmpl=1&exact=1&breed=German+Shephe

And millions more are put to sleep each year.


I hope that helps.  Remember to check out the Free help and Information section of my website.  It does not require a membership and is there to assist owners like you.

Sincerely,

Gallant German Shepherds
http://www.gallantshepherds.com