yes but that is a real reason, still for me a bitch should be fully matured before being spayed. What I dont agree with is the, well they are pets so just neuter/spay, especially very young puppies...

...but I am still getting them done as a preventative and yes mine are pets, I would not intentionally get them done very young......sorry - maybe I misunderstood your post.

64kg's OMG Im surprised he could move (mines a little on the lean side at 45 but still, cant imagine another 20kg)


yep, Loui likes playing and running, sometimes just being around dogs but as you say, on his terms, if they come with attitude he thinks its his job to tell them about it.. females can boss him around as much as they like.

Shocking isn't it, they were loving him to death . He could always find the energy to counter surf though and every time you opened the fridge he was there. On top of that the only command he knew was sit, which at that weight was what he did naturally anyway. He's such a lovable b*gger though.

Interesting replies It seems the general consensus that having entire males is absolutely no problem at all both with behaviour and health.

So it seems all this neutering hype that the vets tell you is all a big con to get more money out of you

There are a lot of people that just spay and neuter without looking into the why's, pro's and cons of it. Dogs being neutered/spayed before maturity etc 'just because thats what your supposed to do' I dont think thats healthy, there are also a lot of people that think if they neuter a male, he should automatically get on with dogs, or he shouldnt mark anymore etc when it is training that will usually change this, not only neutering. I dont think neutering should ever be a substitute for training (I'm not saying thats anyone here) but I have seen that a lot.

Thats pretty much what I disagree with. If you feel pyo is (and its common) a real risk and you do not want to show or breed then I agree with spaying but not before maturity.

If I get a female rescue she will likley either already be spayed or sold on contract to be spayed so I wouldnt have a choice there. If I bought a puppy, I wouldnt spay before 3-4 years old. My male isnt allowed to roam, mate with which bitch helikes etc and I see no physical health benefit for him, dont have any 'issues' I cant handle etc so I do not see the need to neuter. I would only put him through a GA and remove his body parts for a health issue etc.

It really is shocking, especially for a breed that automatically looks athletic, to get to that state how do you not see what thats doing to them

Have to admit I know of some dogs that are lucky to get 10 mins exercise a day, others that are fed tit-bits all day...I dont see whats hard about keeping them in condition actually but then I suppose everyones lives and circumstances etc are different.

Glad hes losing weight and I bet there has still been an improvement in his energy already, even with more to go...

Your probably right, although speaking in favour of my vet I have to say he has never questioned whether I was ever having any of mine neutered or not, which I think is nice as it gives you a personal choice

i dont think its a money making scheme from vets at all.... you can only castrate once

that compared to diagnostic tests, biopsy's,rads etc if a suspected testicular tumor etc

its simply what they are taught to do.. and some do go against the grain.

I have neutered boy here, he was a rescue, so I had no say in the matter. If however my next dog is a boy, he wont be neutered except for medical reasons