Effect of neutering on lab performance?

steelhead22 · 12-03-2003, 05:19 PM

I'm considering neutering my chocolate lab. He's 6 months now, so the BIG DAY is getting close. Anyway, I'm a little concerned that it will effect his training/performance. Is this a legitimate concern, or am I worrying too much? I talked to one guy the other day while I was training who said that after neutering his dog "it was like I had a whole new dog, like he had forgotten everything he'd learned the past 6 months." That really freaked me out. Right now is a critical point in our training, and I don't want anything to ruin that. I can handle a 2 week break for his recovery, but a "whole new dog" and starting over is another story. HELP! What do I do? Should I wait as long as possible before neutering him or don't do it at all?

2LEYS · 12-03-2003, 05:24 PM

I don't know about you, but if my nuts got cut off, I would be a whole new person. :shocked:

dlgobeavs · 12-03-2003, 05:24 PM

Besides the fact that my dog looked at me like "What the hell??!!!... I though we were buddies!!??", I didn't see any change in the training.

Lured In · 12-03-2003, 05:48 PM

I was suprised this wasn't asked in the other thread about spaying. Same story, though. Give the dog a chance to mature enough that it is biochemically balanced, but not so long that it becomes traumatic for the dog. I have heard for males this should be between 6-12 months and for females between 8-12 months.

I decided to let my female go through one heat cycle in the hopes that it gave her body time to mature. As I understand it though, with females, not letting them go through heat actually helps prevent several different types of cancer. With males, I am not sure if there are any other health benefits.

My hunting buddy neutered his male lab at about 3 years and hasn't seen one lick of difference. The dog is just as gung-ho and as birdy as ever.

Maybe if you promise him you'll take him hunting, he'll get over it. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

:grin:

blackdog · 12-04-2003, 06:14 AM

I don't think there is one true answer. Your vet will probably try to convince you to nueter him if you don't have firm plans to breed him. There is a greater risk of future testicular cancer, but how great - who knows. Vets also would like you to get it done cause they don't like seeing unplanned pregnancies happen, and chances are, he'll have some desire to explore when he matures. When my lab was 6 months I had the appointment scheduled and had him in the truck on the way to get it done. Half way there, I turned around. Just couldn't do it to him. There were days when he was between 1 and 2 years old I wished I had, but other than that, no problems.

I've heard it can make no difference, but I've also seen dogs get lazy and fat after it happened as well. Would they have gotten that way anyway? Maybe. For me it wasn't worth the risk. 6 1/2 years old now and no health problems yet/

skahorse · 12-04-2003, 07:47 AM

2LEYS, LMAO

Steelhead, I am in a similar position, though my dog is not quite 6 months. He's about 4 1/2, so he'll be there soon enough. My question is this, what is the downside of leaving him "intact". I don't have "firm" plans on breeding him, though, I wouldn't mind studding him or even just breeding him once for his, <gulp>, replacement (I'm thinking ahead here). Are intact dogs more aggressive? Are they more likely not to obey during certain times... Will I have to watch him like a hawk when he off leash, like when we are hunting... This is my first dog, so please tell me everything you can think of. Thanks!

--Skahorse

Degner · 12-04-2003, 09:35 AM

The best hunting dog I ever had was cut. he was cut though after two years or so. I would wait at least that long for developement.

Bait O' Eggs · 12-04-2003, 09:56 AM

Besides for the initial minor discomfort :shocked: :shocked: It hasnt affected me,

I still like to lay in front of the fireplace and nap.

2LEYS · 12-04-2003, 10:52 AM

My wife keeps mine in her underwear drawer. If I am good she lets me play with them once in a while.

basinbj · 12-04-2003, 05:41 PM

I cut my chessie when he was 8 months. Had the appointment at 6 months cancelled not enough of a man at that time. If you are going to cut him do it before he is to old otherwise no effect. My last dog lab cut him at 4 years city forced me was always getting out during college. No effect what so ever. New dog no effect on training or how he hunts only effect not a big cruiser.Yes hard headed than my lab this is not a typo chessie listens better than lab.

Lured In · 12-04-2003, 11:30 PM

2LEYS...

ROTFLMAO

steelhead22 · 12-04-2003, 11:31 PM

OK, time to throw another twist to this story. We have his mother here at the house. She's obviously not spayed, as my dog is from her litter, and we plan on having another litter. I would expect that I would get an inbred litter if I don't get him cut. Is this correct? Can I just keep them separated when our female goes back into heat? Interestingly, our male is the only one of the litter that doesn't hump everything in sight. Why is this? Did I leave him around his mother too much and now he's gay?

2LEYS · 12-04-2003, 11:38 PM

A little mama's boy?

Bill Monroe · 12-05-2003, 03:40 AM

All of my dogs have been neutered and I've never seen a bit of difference. They all look at me like I'm the one that doesn't know much and maybe it should have been me on that table...

salmurai · 12-07-2003, 10:16 PM

Just like any other quality product. Go for the ball bearing model. I like mine. :grin: