Breeder has asked us not to neuter pup -- advice please?

[lceh]

We're getting an English Shepherd pup in about a month. Today I received an e-mail from the breeder. Apparently he is developing so nicely and looks so much like his daddy (who is retiring from stud service) that she wondered if we might consider holding off on neutering him until she can get a litter from him. I had planned to wait until he was 2 to neuter, after having read a bit about the health benefits of waiting, but hadn't considered breeding him. I know ultimately we do want him neutered so he won't be miserable or run off every time he catches the scent of a female in heat in the neighborhood. What are the pros and cons of breeding him once (or twice if she doesn't take) and then neutering? How old would he have to be in order to be successfully bred? Will he develop unpleasant "stud dog" behaviors if he's only bred a couple of times and then neutered? We are getting him to be a companion for the kids and protector of the chicken flock, so he needs to have an even-keeled temperament.

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

I dont know the pros or cons of this.

But I do know that once my cousin had a boxer. She took him in to get neutered. And the vet refused to do it. Saying that he was the best looking boxer he had seen in years. Was perfect to standard. The vet said it would be a shame to the breed to neuter that dog. So after he had 2 litters with show winner females, the vet neutered him for free. I dont know if my cousin saw a difference in him or not. She always had neutered dogs in the past. All I can say is he was alway a sweet dog.

 

[dacjohns]

Check this out. It answers some of your questions.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1570

 

[Redyre Rotties]

I live with Rottweilers for the last 20 years or so. I have an adult male here now. No issues. He doesn't mark in my house, it is not aggressive towards other males or dogs, he does not mount people, he is a good boy. He was trained using positive methods from the time he was young.

The only time I see ANY sexual behaviors from him is when there is a grump in season in the house. Never when the one across the street is in.

I would leave it to your own discretion, but a properly raised and socialized male dog should not be much different whether he's left intact, or bred, or not.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

If she does plan to breed him once he gets old, who will be responsible for the OFA x-rays, etc?

 

[lceh]

Good question, I hadn't thought of that. She may have though, as she's very diligent about hips. I'll have to ask.

 

[Crazyland]

I have the same experience as Redyre.
I have 2 unneutered males.
Neither case after females in heat.
They don't mark inside and hardly mark at all outside. Totally weird to me. lol
They have no aggression issues.
One male got a "taste" and he doesn't act any different than before.

Well socialized and trained dogs shouldn't turn into monsters just because they are intact when fully developed.

Good luck on your decision. Personally if she wants a litter then she should be paying for the tests and training for titles. Like a coowned dog. You raise it and pay for standard care.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I have two separate cases...

The poodle, is now 12 years old. He humps everything that moves. He was neutered when he was 4 years old by the rescue foundation. He is tatooed and I'm certain was used as a breeder dog.

The labrador, has never humped anything. He was neutered at 3 years old. He has never marked in the house.

Pogo...the poodle, has repeatedly marked everything inside of our old house. Once we moved to the apartment, he has not marked once. Go figure?

 

[Cynthia12]

Quote:
Well, I've been in the rescue and fostering pups and dogs..so you may know where I'm going with this...I am big into getting a dog fixed, and I think two years is a long time to wait.
Unless you plan on doing a good breeding program as Redyre, then that's different. She knows the blood lines..she's handling the dogs herself, knows where they are going for breeding, if not at her own place..at least that's what I'm assuming...

Maybe the people you are getting the dog from are good breeders also. This is something to give good thought to for sure. As you can see from the posts here, you never know how a dog will be if not fixed sooner than later, and I've seen bad habits with dogs that have been socialized, or trained, some dogs are just more of the leader of the pack kind of guy..

So many dogs out there are being over bred...your particular breed doesn't seem to be one of them.
Black labs here..don't have a chance. You can go to the pound and find a purebred lab almost any day of the week..seriously!
Redyre, that is soo great to hear how well you socialize your dogs. A lot of people don't work with their dogs like that. I love the pictures you posted...beautiful, and I can tell, well loved and taken care of.

I love dogs......>>>>>>and chickens!

 

[tnchickenut]

I do know this... you better get a stud fee if you do let them breed him. Don't let them talk you into getting $crewed.

I don't think I have ever heard of side effects of holding off until after they breed a couple time to neuter... but I'm not a expert on that. I prefer female dogs and never have owned a male. If I get a male stray my way... they get rehomed quick.