Neutering Mastiffs

[thelady_v2010]

We chose not to neuter our male for health reasons. At this point we think we are not neutering at all.

He humped at 4 months when we got him. We broke him of that and he has not tried to hump a person since he was 5 months or so. He will hump a couple of the dogs he plays with daily. I would not let him hump a strange dog. He marks. Not in the house, but when he is outside that is him main goal. Walks, I just don't let him stop and mark. He tries.

We face no aggression issues, I do think that would be behavioral and it would be apparent before they are full grown that they have some issues and training could start ASAP on it.

 

[Hector]

Oh, forgot to add that the neutered belgian would hump out of excitement. He will go after kids....that's one of the reasons why he was given up

 

[vadersmom]

I know the OP is asking specifically about males-what about females in the event the plan is to add to the household? Health wise I know to wait at least till after the first heat, maybe second which,what, would put them at 18+ months old? We have a couple plans-to add a rescue which would be neutered, OR add possibly a CC puppy then a rescue(long term planner). We spayed our female BM early-before her first heat and she had incontinence issues(we know better now).

 

[DMikeM]

Male or femal 18 to 24 months or skip it if you can.

 

[Belmas]

Never have neutered any of my males overs the years. Reasons, wanted them to grow to their full potential and for health reasons. Never had a problem with excessive aggression, humping or excessive marking. Just need to do a lot a socializing and training. Over the years I've had a male DDB, and all Neo, Bullmastiff & Rottweiler and all were able to go to the pet store, on dog walks and anywhere with me and behave in a civil manner with other dogs and people around, no humping, marking or aggression. It takes a lot of work of and depends on the dog of coarse, but I would not neuter.

 

[NYDDB]

Never have neutered any of my males overs the years. Reasons, wanted them to grow to their full potential and for health reasons. Never had a problem with excessive aggression, humping or excessive marking. Just need to do a lot a socializing and training. Over the years I've had a male DDB, and all Neo, Bullmastiff & Rottweiler and all were able to go to the pet store, on dog walks and anywhere with me and behave in a civil manner with other dogs and people around, no humping, marking or aggression. It takes a lot of work of and depends on the dog of coarse, but I would not neuter.

I can say practically the exact same thing. My 2.5 year old DDB, male, is intact and I am keeping him that way. He's very healthy, great temperament, and no humping or excessive marking at all. I see no reason to alter him.

 

[vadersmom]

So tell me how you manage a multi dog household, both male and female, not neutered? Eventually, we want up to 3 dogs. Health wise, which sex is the "healthiest" after being neutered-male or female?

 

[musicdeb]

So tell me how you manage a multi dog household, both male and female, not neutered? Eventually, we want up to 3 dogs. Health wise, which sex is the "healthiest" after being neutered-male or female?

IMO, males are the healthiest after neutering but there are many factors to consider. I've always owned males. I'm sure someone else will post with their experience about multi-dog household.

 

[dheepakh]

One study shows that females spayed after 6 years will likely to reach 30% increased lifespan excluding cancer related case subjects. But this study is only based on Rottweilers. The situation is more complex on other breeds. For male dogs neutering is not required unless if there is any medical issues. I hope this is what we should do. But can't tell for sure. May be some vets will suggest to neuter males after 5 or 6 years. No idea. Some experienced guy should tell us what best can be done. But i guess this is way more complex because when we break down to n number of breeds, every breed has their own plus and minus so some may require neutering but others might not. For females this is very complex. Really confused on this one. Some guy should throw on light on this article and i will consider him/her as GOD.

 

[musicdeb]

I had a GS/Chow mix who was not neutered and he died of prostate cancer at age 13. I never neutered my past babies except for my Siberian Husky who was very aggressive towards my Cocker Spaniel/Border Collie mix who was the top dog. All 3 of my pups lived to be 13 yrs old.

 

[dheepakh]

Okay what about spaying females? Anyone?

 

[LLJohnson10]

I had a GS/Chow mix who was not neutered and he died of prostate cancer at age 13. I never neutered my past babies except for my Siberian Husky who was very aggressive towards my Cocker Spaniel/Border Collie mix who was the top dog. All 3 of my pups lived to be 13 yrs old.

So did the neutering solve the aggression issue for you?

 

[Hector]

So did the neutering solve the aggression issue for you?

I have a 13 yr old shep/chow female. She was from the shelter so she was probably spayed at 6 months. She has always been aggressive to humans and other dogs. At 13 years of age, she has mellowed out some, but the aggression is still there. She is the type of dog that bites the hand that feeds her.

 

[musicdeb]

So did the neutering solve the aggression issue for you?

No, it did not. We neutered him upon vet recommendation. Now I know better.

 

[NeSaxena]

I haven't neutered any dogs I've owned, ever. Same reason - wanted them to grow naturally. I'm going to need to get Boone (my BM) operated because he has an undescended testicle, and that increases the rate of cancer. If this wouldn't have happened, I probably wouldn't have neutered him either.

 

[Jadotha]

LLJohnson

Sorry for a late response, but I haven't had time to get on for a few days!
No, we never kept our males separated, and all of them became best friends. All of them have gotten on very well with other dogs, as well.

 

[DMikeM]

It's the Chow in her. My 2 male Rott/Chows are the same and now that they are over 13 they have both started to mellow out a little.

I have a 13 yr old shep/chow female. She was from the shelter so she was probably spayed at 6 months. She has always been aggressive to humans and other dogs. At 13 years of age, she has mellowed out some, but the aggression is still there. She is the type of dog that bites the hand that feeds her.

 

[Robtouw]

My current em boy will remain in tact, I see no reason to neuter. My last boy was neutered after age two because we lived in a neighborhood and were near many females. I do not believe there are "accidental" breedings, responsibility was my only motive in neutering Buddy. I did not see a difference in marking, temperament, nor behavior change as a result of neutering. So, I see it as a personal choice or responsibility depending on geographical location.

 

[baba_booey]

I had a Shep/Husky i neutered at a year and regretted ever since, he was an awesome dog and i would have had loved to have one of his pups. The EM that made me fall in love with the breed wasn't neutered and he had a wonderful personality, even when being set upon by the three German Shepard (1 intact male and his 2 sisters) guard dogs at my work. (the EM lived across the street and would visit me everyday) He would always hold his own, keep them at bay and never attack them even when all three would try and rush him from different angles. I have always read a mastiff will rarely start a fight but if one is unavoidable, they will certainly finish it. Except for cutting down on unwanted dogs, i personally feel it is an unnecessary procedure.

 

[Mastinero]

My neo was neutered at 7 months. Only because we also had a female from the same litter. I should have spayed the female and waited at least 18 months to neuter, as he is tall and on the thin side. I prefer a more muscular neo for looks. My neo is 2 years old now and weighs 127 lbs. He still lunges or pulls when he sees other dogs. So neutering doesnt fix that at all.