It doesn't always take that long Carole, but it can do It will be three months at least My vet advises castration at 8+ months, sooner if inappropriate marking is a problem, but 8+ gives the waterworks time to mature &, according to him, lessens potential urinary problems.

confussed now. Our vet said if we are to get otis done, get it done at 6 months?

Leave it as long as you possible can, but at least till the dog is fully mature, don't expect it to cure all the problems, it may but it may make them worse, in most cases it makes no difference to behaviour except testosterone driven aggression, and you may need a experienced dog handler to tell you if the behaviour is or is not caused by testosterone.

I've never had this op on any of my males and I've never had any problems, not that I'm saying dont do it, because it's personal choice at the end of the day.

I would wait till he's older than 6 mnths because of growth and maturity, 9-10 mnths would be better.IMO.

Me neither Hectorsmum, have only done it once and would never do it again unless it was for medical reasons and I keep 3 intact males together with a bitch. But as you say it is personal choice but would leave it till at least a year or until the dog is mature, it is surprising how often if you do leave it till the dog is mature it no longer seems needed.

sorry for sounding stupid, when is a staff fully mature?

I totally agree on your last bit, get over the stupid stage and it's quite a joy to watch them mature nicely.

What would happen if we did this to humans???????

They would have to be on HRT for the rest of their lives. For a number of reasons including good health.

Hi Ruthlynn,

Just wanted to say that Feminisation Syndrome does exist because my dog has it after being castrated at 7 months old I sometimes wish I hadn't bothered having him castrated because it has caused more problems than it solved. It is particularly worrying when a large dog comes over and starts trying to jump on him and will not go away whatever you do

All animals, regardless of species, produce both testosterone and oestrogen (and progesterone) - when a male is castrated, the testosterone is removed (after a while) but the oestrogen remains. Intact males often find castrated males extremely appealing and will harrass them as if they were in oestrus females. Some vets even believe castrated males smell even more 'female' than females.

This will happen at whatever age you castrate the dog and isn't restricted to young castrations.

Becs