Should I neuter my 4-year-old male Lab? What are the pros & cons?

If you do not plan to breed him then it is best to have him neutered. He is a small breed dog so his size and proportions will not be altered by getting fixed at his age. Getting him fixed early decreases the chance of prostate problems and behavioral problems such as marking and aggression. There have been new studies in golden retrievers that seem to support an increase in ACL ruptured and bone cancer but the studies are newer and we are still learning about it and there are no results published in small breed dogs. However small breeds dogs are not prone to that injury to being with so you will have less to worry about. Based on this research, I would recommend getting him neutered now as the benefits are greater for your small breed dog

Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Matting is not required. It is currently recommended that if you are not planning on breeding Oscar that he be neutered. Neutering drastically reduces their chances of developing prostatic issues and certain cancers that can shorten his life span. I hope this helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Popo. Neutering him will help to prevent against certain types of prostate diseases and even some forms of cancer. It will decrease his desire to roam looking for female dogs. It does not affect personality. Every surgery carries the risk of anesthesia. He could experience post-operative swelling or infection. Some adult dogs can gain weight after the surgery. So his calories need to be monitored. These risks are minimal in most cases though. I hope this information helps!

This is an awesome question! Personally I recommend not neutering Gus until he is at least a year old. This allows him to grow and mature, and some vets will recommend waiting until he is two years old. There will be no health risks associated with waiting until he is two to neuter him. The only concern is that he gets free and mates with a female in heat. If you can keep him away from all intact females, it's fine to wait until he is a year old. Now there isn't a concern if you want to neuter him now, but I personally recommend waiting until a year of age. I hope this helps!

The main reasons that most dog owners opt to neuter male dogs are behavioral - urine marking, roaming in search of females, and not getting along with other male dogs are all common problems for many intact males. In terms of possible medical issues, as they get older they often develop issues with prostate enlargement, prostatic cysts, or infections. Testicular tumors can also be an issue. And of course, you have the lifelong responsibility of making sure that your dog does not contribute to the pet overpopulation problem by fathering any accidental puppies. If you don't mind the behavioral issues and are prepared to keep your dog safely confined to prevent roaming, then you don't necessarily need to neuter unless medical problems develop. It's definitely a personal choice, not a one-size-fits-all recommendation :)

5 years is not too old to be neutered. Some behaviors are induced by hormones , and they can also turn into habits independent from hormonal activity, Will he stop roaming? Possibly, but maybe not. Will he become less aggressive: most likely. If you want to know whether neutering helps or changes his behavior, you can have the vet give him an injection that suppresses testosterone (chemical castration). If you are satisfied that this works, you should have him castrated. If it does not change his behavior then castration will only serve to avoid uncontrolled procreation.

Great question! There are pros and cons to neutering at different ages, so ultimately it comes down to your personal preference. The biggest advantage of neutering around six months or so, is that this will normally prevent the development of problematic "boy behaviors" such as urine marking, wanting to mount other dogs, not getting along with other intact males, and wanting to roam constantly in search of female dogs. There is some evidence that early neutering (before the dog is finished growing) can increase the risk of certain orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia or cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures later in life, especially in large-breed or very athletic dogs. So, this is something to take into account as well. Personally, I have always neutered my male dogs at around 10-12 months of age, when they're still fairly young but finished growing for the most part. Most of my clients choose to neuter around 6 months of age to avoid the behavior issues mentioned above. But ultimately, the choice is up to you :)