Neutering Puppies

In My Humble Opinion (IMHO)
#1

To replace a dead doggy, I bought my girlfriend a chow puppy.

She has two girls aged 6 and 4. They girls love their new family member but as young children, occasionally and accidentally do cause the young pup a little stress with the attention they give.

He is about 3 months old and I automatically assumed we would get him neutered in time. But I was surprised that I had to do a little persuading with my girlfriend ( although she did eventually agree)

If he was a kitty, I would have no hesitation with freeing him from his nuts as soon as they were big enough to be located. But am not really a doggy person and don’t know much about the impact of castrating a dog. Should I wait until until the testosterone has helped him build a bit of muscle? He is after all a chow and should be stocky. Is it okay to nip them off early? I have heard that other male dogs may “take an interest in him” if he doesn’t have a masculine smell.

Am still of the mind that castration is the way to go if you don’t intend to breed him. But can you give me some more advice on the timing and the impact ( apart from the obvious) on young Jasper?

#2

You should ask a vet.

However, most puppies that are not going to breed should be castrated at 6 months.

This is a minor operation although the vet will most likely use a general anaesthetic. The dog will hardly notice the two to three small stitches and will be running around as usual within a few hours of the op.

As for the testosterone for muscle building, I do not know. Certainly other male dogs will not have any sexual interest in him if he has no balls - they prefer the aromas of an on-heat female.

#3

With a Chow, the sooner the better, IMO. I’m not sure I would have chosen a Chow for a home with small children, but the deed’s done. I’m an advocate for juvenile spaying and neutering, and a dog his size (not that big a dog, should end up under 60 pounds) can be neutered as early as you can book an appointment.

People get confused with dogs because there can be problems with very large and giant breeds if neutered too early due to bone development - but that’s in regards to dogs over 100 pounds. The vast majority can be neutered as young as 4-6 months, as long as the testicles are both descended.

A Chow with a young family, with other young friends who may come over for visits, male aggression issues are a little less likely, and obedience training will likely be easier. Neutering early means he won’t start getting into habits that an intact male will start as soon as possible, which will be harder to break after neutering than if he didn’t start them in the first place.

And, “take an interest in him” - sounds like you’ve been talking to someone you should not be listening to.

#4

I agree that a Chow is not a good match for small kids. I’m not beating up on you, but families not doing proper breed research is why so many dogs get dumped at the pound. Please have her be very consistent with telling them how to treat the puppy and get him to obedience training asap. Neutering early does not hurt the dog, at all, and will make all of your lives (including his) much easier. I would do it closer to 4 months than 6, if I were you.

#5

My vet does spay/castration at 8 weeks give or take. She gave me a copy of a paper on prepubertal spay/castration that discussed the finer points. Made sense to me.

#6

This is a useful thread, thank you. We will soon have a Shitzu that will need to be neutered, as well.

#7

Eeek.

Please have her be very consistent with telling them how to treat the puppy and get him to obedience training asap.
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Right – training the kids is as important as training the dog, and might turn out to be a lot harder.

I always advocate rescue, opened this post prepared to “beat up” the OP a bit on that issue, but having looked at the location field, I’m guessing this is a case of being overseas where rescues/shelters/pounds are uncommon or non-existent?

Anyway, it is possible to raise children and dogs (even rescued mutts) together quite happily. But like everything else worth doing, you get out of it what you put into it. Consciously working with the dog and the children will pay off.

#8

But you know… “Mommy! That one’s so cuuuuuuuute!”

manila, *please *don’t buy a dog without researching the breed in the future.

#9

I was a bit surprised at the breed selection too. I am working in Korea at the moment, they are back in Manila. Am pretty certain it was a case of “he’s so cute can we have him!”

Good information here thanks. I will be going the early castration route. Also obedience training ( for everyone in the family :))

Thanks everyone

#10

My puppy was about 4 1/2 months old. Nothing to it. A lot of dogs lay around for a few days but he bounded out of the vet’s office ready to play. We gave him pain meds for a day or two just in case he was hurting but he never acted like he was.

He’s a Jackabee, if that’s relevant.