Puppy castration questions.

[Mr.Chips]

Hi All,
I’ve searched on here and not found quite the answers to the questions we have, so I would be grateful for any and all positive responses.
We have a 9 month old French Bulldog/Pug cross puppy. He is a delight and has brought so much to our lives, especially during the months of lockdown. We agreed when we got him that, when the time was right, we would have him castrated. The only problem is we are struggling to judge when the time is right. One vet we have spoken to has suggested we leave him until he is about two and a half years old, whereas another one has said they would be happy to neuter him once he passed 6 months. So,
Question 1; when is the right time to have him castrated?
Question 2; after the operation, how much recovery time will he need? What special treatment will he require?
Question 3; will he need a recovery diet and will we need to change his food after recovery?
Thanks for all positive responses.

[Mobile Chicane]

Does he really need castrating?

I would speak to your vet about all the pros and cons beforehand.

[Thevet]

Mobile Chicane said:

Does he really need castrating?

I would speak to your vet about all the pros and cons beforehand.

Hear hear, does the risk of surgery outweigh the benefits? Usually yes but ask why the random timescale of 6-30months. Generally neutering is beneficial from 9 months on but if there is no reason then why? My present pal is 18 months and the first dog i haven't neutered in the first 2 years of life but I;m not sure whether I should or not neuter, as his behaviour is only bordering on pesky but no more, I might let someone breed from him as he is a great advert for his breed, but all in all our situation and his behaviour doesn't need neutering .......yet. Maybe he will chill out a bit and end uo keeping his nuts maybe he won't
Also, frenchies are a bit of an anesthetic worry.....

[Mr.Chips]

Thanks for the replies so far. The vet is really pleased with our puppy. Due to the fact he is a cross, he has a slightly longer muzzle, so hopefully, won’t suffer from the breathing issues that pure bred Frenchies and/or Pugs can have, although I appreciate that anaesthetic could be a potential issue.
He doesn’t seem to have any food guarding issues or problems with us taking toys/things away from him and he has only tried to hump Mrs.Chips or myself a couple of times each.
During lockdown, we have been taking him to a dog daycare place where he gets the chance to socialise with other dogs and we have been told that he has started to try and assert “his manhood,” otherwise he seems pretty well adjusted.
Any other positive responses would be gratefully received.

[stevesingo]

Is there any medical or sever behavioural reason to castrate the dog?

Folks keep asking me if I'm going to get my dog castrated. My default response is why should I? Many say it calms their behaviour. My default response is, why should I cut the dogs balls off so I can get an easy life?

[Algarve]

stevesingo said:

Is there any medical or sever behavioural reason to castrate the dog?

Folks keep asking me if I'm going to get my dog castrated. My default response is why should I? Many say it calms their behaviour. My default response is, why should I cut the dogs balls off so I can get an easy life?

Its generally not about the owner getting an easy life though. Usually the dogs behaviour is going to be a better.

Its all circumstance dependent though. If you live in an apartment and you're happy with his current behaviour then I'd be more inclined to leave it. If you live on a housing estate, garden and fences that he could maybe bust through if he wanted... I'd castrate. As you have no idea if he'll stay in the garden when one of the neighbourhood dogs is on heat.

Also depending on the breed, castrating can help reduce theft risk.

[ChocolateFrog]

Seems like one of those questions where it's impossible to find answers that aren't swayed by bias, either way.

I had my dog castrated at 1 year old but having done as much reading as I can trying to make sense of everything in hindsight I probably wouldn't have had it done.

That said he's healthy and happy at the moment.

[AlvinSultana]

stevesingo said:

Is there any medical or sever behavioural reason to castrate the dog?

Folks keep asking me if I'm going to get my dog castrated. My default response is why should I? Many say it calms their behaviour. My default response is, why should I cut the dogs balls off so I can get an easy life?

+1

I find it obnoxious that we cut pieces of an animal when it is not necessary.

Is the dog showing signs of sexual aggression ?

If it does then castration is one of the tools at your disposal.

We currently keep 2 dogs that are perfectly happy entire and I would only ever consider castration if it was the only viable solution for a problem that I had been unable to resolve.

[AlvinSultana]

AlvinSultana said:

+1

I find it obnoxious that we cut pieces of an animal when it is not necessary.

Is the dog showing signs of sexual aggression ?

If it does then castration is one of the tools at your disposal.

We currently keep 2 dogs that are perfectly happy entire and I would only ever consider castration if it was the only viable solution for a problem that I had been unable to resolve.

( The bullocks in shot are castrated at an early age, otherwise they would not coexist, in this situation there is no other solution. )

[stevesingo]

AlvinSultana said:

stevesingo said:

Is there any medical or sever behavioural reason to castrate the dog?

Folks keep asking me if I'm going to get my dog castrated. My default response is why should I? Many say it calms their behaviour. My default response is, why should I cut the dogs balls off so I can get an easy life?

+1

I find it obnoxious that we cut pieces of an animal when it is not necessary.

Is the dog showing signs of sexual aggression ?

If it does then castration is one of the tools at your disposal.

We currently keep 2 dogs that are perfectly happy entire and I would only ever consider castration if it was the only viable solution for a problem that I had been unable to resolve.

I do love a wire hair ginger nutter.

Chap (Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT assessor) in the village has one. Looks like an old man, behaves like a puppy.

Otto goes through hormonal phases where he can be disinterested in me and more interested in "wildlife". I need to work harder to manage him at these times, continually reinforcing the desired behaviours and ticking him off for the undesirable stuff. At 17 months old, he is still somewhat adolescent though.

[Challo]

We had our Cockapoo done at 6months with no issues. Wasnt going to breed from him so made sense to us. Our Springer will be done soon, but it’s in our contract to do so as a rescue pup.

Neither has behaviour issues, but did get quite humpy.

Your get different pros and cons from everyone, and different vets say different things.

[Dibble]

You may find this useful. As with most things, it’s generic advice, so shouldn’t be taken solely in isolation.

https://www.apbc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/APBC-Ne...

I’ve got access to a more detailed pdf on castration from the same organisation; if you pm me I can send you a copy by email.

[Brads67]

Why on earth would you castrate a dog for no reason.?

[Algarve]

Brads67 said:

Why on earth would you castrate a dog for no reason.?

There can't ever be 'no reason', there are health benefits even if you don't think there will be any behaviour or theft risk benefits with your dog.

[OtherBusiness]

I have a 14 month old lab and am considering it. Mainly as he is producing lots of smegma from his, to coin Clarkson, gentleman sausage. I have heard that getting him done will stop this. There seems to be so much that it’s splattering the walls when he shakes and covers the carpets too!

[Mr.Chips]

Thanks for all the responses so far. To put a few people straight, we have done some research on this, as we do with all the major decisions we need to make in life. We do not intend to breed from him and, although our garden is secure for him at the moment, we are also aware that, if he gets, “the urge,” he will do all he can to escape and follow the scent, potentially, causing a safety issue. In addition, we are also aware that castrating him will remove or lessen the risk of him developing testicular cancer or prostate issues.
We only want to do the best for our puppy and we will make our decision based on that, the reason I posted here is to get the opinions of people who have had to make a similar decision. Thanks for any and all further comments.

[AlexC1981]

How would you ever be able to look him in the eye again knowing what you've done to him?

Sorry, I don't mean to be judgemental, but as a bloke the thought of castration makes me shudder.

[s2sol]

We lost a dog to prostate cancer that spread to his hips and spine at 8 years old. The vet suggested that had he been castrated, it might not have happened.

It was fking awful, and if I could change anything in my life, it would be that Ferg suffered as the result of a choice we made. That said, we've currently got a 2 year old entire male, and I doubt we'll have him done. it's a huge thing to do to a dog on the off chance that it's going to make your life easier, and the very slim chance that your dog will suffer from cancer in a few years. There's no easy answer.

Edited by s2sol on Sunday 14th June 21:16

[Algarve]

AlexC1981 said:

How would you ever be able to look him in the eye again knowing what you've done to him?

Sorry, I don't mean to be judgemental, but as a bloke the thought of castration makes me shudder.

You wouldn't eat raw chicken or lick your own ahole either presumably?

Dogs aren't human, they don't care they've lost their balls

[moorx]

Mr.Chips said:

Thanks for all the responses so far. To put a few people straight, we have done some research on this, as we do with all the major decisions we need to make in life. We do not intend to breed from him and, although our garden is secure for him at the moment, we are also aware that, if he gets, “the urge,” he will do all he can to escape and follow the scent, potentially, causing a safety issue. In addition, we are also aware that castrating him will remove or lessen the risk of him developing testicular cancer or prostate issues.
We only want to do the best for our puppy and we will make our decision based on that, the reason I posted here is to get the opinions of people who have had to make a similar decision. Thanks for any and all further comments.

All but one of my male dogs have been neutered, and all of my females spayed. The only reason the first one was not was that the rescue I got him from didn't routinely neuter at that time (this was about 30 years ago).

It sounds as though you have done the research and I would do the same as you. In terms of the specific questions you ask:

Question 1; when is the right time to have him castrated?

I've had dogs that have been neutered from 7 months (youngest) to 12 years (oldest). The only time I've seen it recommended to leave it longer is if it is a large/giant breeds.

Question 2; after the operation, how much recovery time will he need? What special treatment will he require?

The dogs I have adopted soon after neutering have recovered very quickly. You will need to give him the same treatment that any dog who has had a GA needs (keep him warm, quiet, make sure he is drinking. Offer light food (scrambled egg, chicken, white fish) but don't worry too much if he isn't interested the evening of the op). Your vet should give you full instructions (and maybe a care sheet). Ours have had to go back to the vet for removal of stitches about 7-10 days after the op. You will need to keep an eye on the wound and make sure he doesn't bother it (he will probably have to wear the cone of shame for a while).

Question 3; will he need a recovery diet and will we need to change his food after recovery?

Apart from the evening of the op, and maybe one more meal, mine have not needed special food for any longer, and I've certainly not fed them anything different afterwards.

Hope that helps.