Best time to neuter BB dog

[Gwendolyn Moore]

I plan to neuter my BB dog. My vet prefers to do this after 8 months. What do the members think is the best time and why?

[Marco]

Hello Gwendolyn, thanks for the question.  Keep in mind testosterone is needed for full growth and muscle maturity.  I just neutered my boy but he is now almost 3 years.  I had planned to neuter him around this time if I wasnt going to use him for breeding.  There can be pros, and cons to waiting.  You just need to weigh them, and make the choice depending on your situation.  I am not very Knowledgeable on this subject but I'm sure there are others here who are that could help.

[Lisa Tiro]

Hi Gwendolyn,

I spayed my female BB after her first heat (12 months). Some say to wait for 2 heat cycles. I had no intention of neutering my male but unfortunately he developed an enlarged prostate and I had to neuter him a couple of weeks ago at 17 months old.

Here is a link to an article with the pros and cons:

http://www.caninesports.com/uploads/1/5/3/1/15319800/spay_neuter_co...

http://www.angryvet.com/aching-knees-conclusions-of-study/

[Jay Cohen]

If you are talking about a male, I wouldn't neuter it unless you had a problem, behavioral or physical,  that neutering would correct.  In any case I have found research indicating neutering a giant breed dog prior to the growth plates fusing raises the chances of bone cancer dramatically.  I waited until 17 months for my female BB, trading off the increase in mammary cancer risk with bone cancer. So we went through two heat cycles.  I've never had a male BB.  My first male Rotty was a very dominant dog, mounting everything that came into our house- so I neutered him and that helped.  My second male, not nearly so dominant didn't have any behavior issues but got urinary tract infections.  After the third one we all agreed to neuter him, and as much as it hurt us to do it we did, and the problem went away.