I have Jimmy and Misty registered with two different vets and spoke to both of them prior to having Jimmy neutered. Both denied all knowledge of Cockers coats changing as a result and also the fact that some castrated males start to attract the sexual advances of other entire males. The latter was my main concern for Jimmy as it would have made his life a misery, I've seen it happen with a couple of males in my park and they are now restricted to mostly onlead walks on the street as this unwanted attention caused them to get into fights.
The fact my vets wanted to keep schtum about these things just makes me doubt the truth about anything they say now. One quoted me £200 for the op, the other gave a figure of £100 even though they are within about 2 miles of each other..... which goes to show there are some vets out there that see this as a good moneyspinner.
Since the op, I've noticed no change in personality in Jimmy and fortunately he hasn't suffered any feminisation to attract males. The only downside, other than coat change, is that he is now obsessed with food and I'm having to re-train him to stop trying to scavenge from anyone eating food in the park. Previously I once inadvertantly tied him to park railings next to some KFC chicken bones, whereas then he didn't bat an eyelid as he knew he wasn't to pick at stray food, now he wouldn't give it a second thought and would wolf them down in seconds.
He's far more likely to not respond to recall over an illicit meal now than he ever was over in-season bitches.
I fully understand the pro-neutering stance taken by those involved in rescue as it must be heartbreaking seeing all theses unwanted dogs put down. But at the same time I do wish vets and some pro-neuterers wouldn't attempt to hide the negative aspects in their aim to reduce the amount of unwanted litters. Tell the whole truth and let the individual decide, I say.