When to castrate?

[Brooksuk]

Fred is now 7 months old and has always had only 1 descended testicle. The vet advised us when he was young that if the other one didn't descend we would have to have him castrated for health reasons.

I don't have a problem with having it done but would like some advice as to how old he should be before we do it. His one descended testicle is getting quite big now and I just wanted to make sure I either don't get it done too early or wait too long.

Any advice would be appreciated...

[*Jay*]

Unless your vet suggests otherwise, I would still be inclined to leave him until about 18 months so that he is fully mature. Our vets ten to tell people that if it hasn't come down by the time the dog is about a year old, then it will more than likely have to be removed surgically so I wouldn't say it was something that you would have to have done immediately

[Cob-Web]

I followed the advise from expert COLers and decided to wait until Molo was 18 months old before I considered castration I had been told that they don't fully mature if they are castrated before this - and I certainly noticed a difference in Molo's behaviour once he "matured" at about 14 months or so.......I often wonder if he'd still behave like a loopy puppy if he had been done at 6 months 

As it is, we have decided to leave him entire - obviously, if Freds retained testical hasn't appeared by then, then you have to take your vets advise and have it removed

[DennyK]

I'm at very early stage with Paddy - only 4 and a half months old, so not ready for an early or a late op yet!

This business of the dog being "mature" - is it only to do with behaviour or does it have physical side effects if it's done too early? 

In all honesty, I haven't made my mind up.  I often think - leave him entire, unless/until there are behaviours or issues which castration would (or would probably) solve.  Other times, especially when one of my friends tells me about dogs being "fondled" by strangers in the park - to check if they're entire and worth nicking for breeding - I get determined to do it as a precaution.  then I calm down and decide that's a dumb reason to do it....

I'd be really interested to hear from people who went ahead with the op as to when and why they did it, and whether it's panned out as they expected/hoped.

Denise

[miche]

My two were done at 7 months and 9 months both at the same time so I had two of them wearing collars and pants and trying to lick each others stitches . 

The main reason for this was that they kept eyeing each other for a scrap and Mikey was getting a bit pushy towards my eldest son and had started to chase the odd bitch.  I did think long and hard before having them done and Freya (crazy spaniels) said she had had hers done at 7 months and hers were fine so I went for it and seem to have made the best decision for me - although I can't say it might be the right thing to do for everydog but I have 2 adolescent males so it was the right thing to do for me.

My mum has a golden ret who was castrated at about 10 months and he did stay very much a puppy - and with a 6 stone dog that can be a bit of a problem but if my two stay as they are now for ever then I don't have a problem

Is the undescended testicle the only reason for castration?  or are you experiencing behaviour probs that could be associated with a young dog with his hormones kicking in?

[suki1964]

Alfie was just done at 20 months. I had no intention of getting him done when I got him (my last lad was entire) but by time he was 18 months he was showing behaviours that were not being corrected by training alone.

[daunting]

Think Harley is long overdue for his 



This is what i woke up to the other morning - nice 

He is booked in for Tuesday 

[Elisa]

 

[Mich]

OMG

[silkstocking]

pmsl at that pic 

[sarahp]

anyone for a game of conkers 

[dave w]

looks like me on a morning   

[sarahp]

You braggin' or complainin'??!!??

[Mich]

  Bragging, but pretending to complain!!!!

[Brooksuk]

Fred is not showing any signs of very bad behaviour so our only reason for castration would be health concerns over his undescended testicle.

Great picture!!! I love the way cockers seem to like sleeping on their backs with leg spread!!!!