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The chop op....at what age

904 views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  -Angela-  
#1 ·
So as the title implies I'm looking to have my choc boy castrated!!! He is not going to be bred and I think he is possibly the nuttiest lab around!!!!

I read before that 10 months is about right with some opting for 12 months! So he is going to be 11 months in 2 weeks so is this the right time? Or should I hold off

I would like to get him done before April while the weather is still a bit poor as I understand he can't be walked for 2 weeks!!
 
#2 ·
Not sure what the right age is but Charlie was done at 10 months as he was having x-rays for HD so the specialist did him while he was already under GA
Dudley is 3 and I wasn't going to bother but has recently started being wayyyyyy too interested in other dogs so is booked in for 26th March
 
#3 ·
I have no advice or any proof. All I can say is that I had Buddie 'done' at 10 months. Mainly because of the chance of him running off after a bitch in heat.

He hasn't changed really, still nutty at times but maturing a little bit, every now and again.
He doesn't cock his leg at every bush or fence anymore. Although he still humps sometimes which is all normal anyway.

So I can see personally anyway no reason not to do it at his age. I was told by my vets that they would do it at any age, they wanted to do it at 6 months but I wanted him to develop a bit more first and followed some advice on here.

We also soon after got a yellow bitch so it was good that he had been done, but that was not our reason for doing it.

I think my only advice would be to go with what feels right to you and your dog. Good luck x

By the way, Buds only had a couple of days complete rest , and thats lab rest, he still ran around house when he had the chance! the rest of the time we slowly built him up to longer on lead walks xx
 
#5 ·
I prefer nearer to 18 months. Whatever some vets like to tell you there is no all fired rush. And dont believe the old wives tail that it will help them to mature and calm down, because sadly thats rubbish. Neutering is pushed by some as the panacea of all ills. It's not.

Saying all that, I always have all my dogs and bitches neutered at some point, but prefer to give them time to grow up first, then pick a time that suits me, fits in with holidays and the like.

Regards, John
 
G
#6 ·
Jet was 21 months when his pockets were picked :wink:

I wanted to wait until he was fully mature both physically and mentally (if a lab can ever be said to be fully mentally mature that is!)

With a bitch you are more or less under the control of when she comes into season but with a dog it is up to the owner. Personally I wouldn't get a dog done until I was confident he had done all his growing up, which in my opinion won't be until a lab is nearer his 2nd birthday.