I personally feel it is far too young to be putting an animal through such a procedure.

But then I am now begininng to question putting animals through such a traumatic procedure in the first place. I really do feel now that neutering an animal "automatically" is unnecessary mutilation and that, although I can understand rescues needing to neuter before rehoming, I just can't condone putting a healthy animal through an operation that can not only be potentially very painful but also distressing. I've had an op and despite the GA, the recovery was (and therefore in any case can be) very painful, not to mention distressing and that's from a humanbeing who knows what's happening!

In future all dogs I breed or own as pups will be entire, unless my vet states otherwise, or my circumstances change.

Rips, we happily kept a dog for 9 years entire, and as he was a rescued crossbreed, he was never for breeding, but he remained entire and we were all happy that way.

I personally don't see why if a dog is not going to be bred from, why it should automatically be deemed fit to lose it's bits !!!

We've never had a male dog 'done'

or a female ?

I have had an entire male dog in the past, it never occured to me to get him neutered, he didn't roam or hump and was gentle and loving so I just didn't see the need TBH but I have had Molly speyed and Charlie will also be done when she is a little older as I feel (rightly or wrongly) that the health risks seem more prevelant in bitches, and if I'm being entirely honest I think I might find their seasons difficult to deal with. We live in a very high dog population area and the thought of lots of would be romeo's hanging around is not one I would look forward to.

That should be on a billboard!

Both male dogs we've got from rescue have been done, which is fair enough, not really our choice.
Having had our last ESS have a closed pyo at 12 years of age and nearly die in the process, I can see the logic behind that. I'll be keeping a very close eye on Isla all of her life!

The female may well have been done due to the entire males present in the household?

Dogs that is! :smt043

I had my male 'done' for 2 reasons 1,he had an abdominal testical and 2, I have an entire female also. but I do agree it shouldn't be automatic.
I remember when I took ruby to the vets when a pup I was asked when I was going to have her 'de-sexed' thought that was an awful way of saying it!

no its ok no earlier though

I think it's too young.
I think this because...
1) The dog needs a GA, they have effects....
2) Having any op and GA effects your immune system, having also been subjected to first vaccinations etc as well, I think it is too much for the dogs system to go through at such an early age.
3) my boys have been done at around 8 months (generally) and have needed a week or so to recover properly, which is fine as they are already well socialised etc. A 12 week old pup is still learning an awful lot about the world and having an op so young could hinder that.
4) Post castration hormones can fluctuate and I have found sometimes dogs can be a little more 'aware' of things (not nervous just aware if you see what I mean) given , as I've already said, the importance of socialising around 12 weeks, I think there could be problems develop with nervousness unless the owner is very experienced.


I think 12 weeks is far too young and oculd have major social implications (let alone health ones) for the dog.

I think far to young as their body is still developing at such a rapid pace I feel it could hinder their developent.

I feel the risks are higher mentally. A pup of this age is still developing social skills and learning the foundations which will determine her temperament for life. It is one of the worst periods of time in your dog's life that you would want your pup to experience anything traumatic for fear of developing a lifetime fear of said incident.

Personally I wouldn't risk it so young. It is a big op for a bitch even as an adult, and I don't really agree with castration of dogs for no reason. Charlie was only done so as he could live with entire bitches without complications or hassle (whom at the time I was planning on breeding from - the girls not Charlie!).