I know that vets can tell when a dog is nervous. They cannot always determine that this is a direct part of the dogs normal disposition. Even the calmest, most even headed dog can throw a temper tantrum at the vet.
My dog always acted WAY outside of himself at the vets. Normally he wasn't an aggressive dog, but take him into the vets and he turned into a killer. A vet cannot often gauge the real temperament of a pet, as they don't often act the same at the office, that's all I was saying.
I don't think most people neuter to make the teenage stage easier, actually I've not heard even one early neuterer, or neuterer period say this was their primary reason.
The reason is usually trying to get the dog a health benefit and generally reduce aggressive tendencies, not just make the teenage stage easier IMO. There's no real evidence that early neutering helps dogs during this stage anyway.
Sorry but the staffy thing is just stupid as the two breeds have clear and VERY distinct differences and this seems merely lazy on the govt. part. Easier to just take all the tall ones, instead of actually matching dogs up to breed standard or taking a glance at the pedigree.
You're right, you didn't expressly say that all early neutered dogs are affected by the procedure, however; the statement: "Testosterone is needed for male dogs to develop properly and mature both mentally and physically" includes all male dogs... therefore you insinuated (though didn't SAY) that no male dogs can develop properly or mentally and physically mature without their testosterone, which isn't true.
While there are enough cases to challenge it, and while I'm not, in ANY way promoting it, I don't think it's a really bad thing in most cases. Since the argument has been going on since the 90s and even before, I don't think any recent developments will really change anything. In the end, it's down to personal choice, and weighing the risks of your particular dog.
Just because an organ isn't vital doesn't mean it has to be removed, what right have we got to remove organs that any animal has?
Where I live, this is the main defense against neutering and spaying. That it's somehow wrong, or can be considered cruel. These same people have bred dogs and removed dewclaws, docked tails and cropped ears.
They also give their dogs vaccines they don't need (can be very, very harmful) and are oblivious to many other things they might be doing to cause their dog harm.
The dog isn't aware he has no testicles, he doesn't go looking for them or anything of the sort. The surgery on male dogs is a very simple, and easily recovered from surgery. Few dogs experience any true problems related to the surgery. You know this already.
In the end, people who spay and neuter are usually trying to make their animals healthier, calmer, and do their part to lessen the chance of more unwanted pets.
Frankly, if you care for your pet properly... whether neutered/spayed or not.. you'll not be having any unwanted litters, but we can agree that most pet owners are not competent or careful enough to be able to manage this, if they were... millions of animals would not have had to die.
I don't really like neutering, and though my current puppy is an early neuter, I'd never advise it or promote it, but I'd also never advise against it, knowing how many animals have to die because people let their dogs breed by accident.
As for temperament changes, in calming dogs etc., I don't even find it relevant worth anything. My 6 month old puppy is THE most "in your face" puppy I've met.
He barks at strangers, he's not even slightly aggressive with other animals, but he barks in their faces if they won't play with him, and he is a very cocky/arrogant little guy (goes up to anybody, any dog) and seems far more excitable etc. than my last male, who wasn't neutered.
So, if someone was looking to neuter early to reduce excitability, or to mellow a puppy out... I'd tell them they were wasting their time.
It's just that, in America... far too many dogs are killed and suffer on the streets because of accidental breeding. If neutering early would stop this or slow this down, at the risk of some possible health issues to the dog, I think it's a fair price to pay. THAT is the main reason I won't stand against it, honestly.
Have a nice day