24/02/2025
Is there a particular reason that makes you want to neuter your dog? This is an excellent post from Ruth, do some research before you rush in, just reading this post may make you think again. It’s not always a bad thing, but it also won’t necessarily resolve the issue/s you are currently experiencing which are pushing you in this direction.
When to castrate male dogs.
There are a huge amount of papers and research available on castration and it’s various
effects including these articles however we must always think of each dog as an individual.
Talk to your veterinary team about the best option for your male dog.
Breed, size, environment and other dogs living closely will affect neutering decisions.
Before we decide to castrate, we need to consider the following
Is the dog skeletally mature?
Can we wait until the dog is 18mths to 2 years?
By waiting this long, we are ensuring the dog is fully mature, growth plates are closed and the dog has hopefully encountered many social experiences of dogs so they aren’t frustrated or excited.
Evidence points towards neutered dogs living a longer and healthier life but this may be flawed due to irresponsible ownership of intact dogs.
Behaviourally we need to consider
Is the dog nervous/anxious?…. In this case we need to build the dogs confidence before castration and the drop in testosterone will likely make any anxious behaviour worse.
Is the dog hu***ng? This is a normal part of development which should be discouraged in a calm way.
Is the dog challenging other dogs? Is it fear or offensive aggression? A behaviourist/trainer can help to decide.
Suprelorin can be used to see if castration would be helpful but it will affect growth plates and a dogs confidence if used too young so read the data sheets.
5. Dogs should not be castrated with big changes going on at home, new baby, building work, moving house etc. The upheaval is too much during a testosterone drop.
6. Castration can improve the behaviour if a dog is excessively scent marking, becoming obsessed and drooling/foaming/licking grass and consequently unable to listen. It will improve recall/pulling on the lead/focus if the scent of a bitch is overpowering. Some dogs are much more highly sexed than others.
7. If the dog barks at other dogs or gets overexcited at times or growls at people occasionally, castration is not the answer, but is often a knee jerk reaction by the owner.
Every male dog should be treated as an individual and considerations of their lifestyle taken into account.
If an owner wants a dog that can go to doggy daycare, then castration is usually expected.
If there are bi***es or other competitive male dogs in the home then castration may be of benefit.
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=20539&id=8506437&fbclid=IwAR3Pj-8Dp1xaHgtGOeodOWbJGqSAh6ArTv-bRDMacHpQjkbCRdE22wKSHwA
https://nz.virbac.com/files/live/sites/virbac-nz/files/promotions/suprelorin/Suprelorin%20Behavioural%20Consult.pdf
https://www.theveterinarynurse.com/review/article/five-myths-commonly-associated-with-neutering-in-dogs
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273737894_Evaluating_the_benefits_and_risks_of_neutering_dogs_and_cats
https://www.apbc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/APBC-Neutering-Male-Dogs.pdf
