when to neuter?

Ah, this is THE question of much debate.  There are so many differing opinions on when to neuter (or spay).  A lot of it depends on your personal situation. 

Getting him altered won't affect his marking or humping, I believe.  So, don't make your decision based on those things alone.

I am a believer of allowing (large) dogs mature past the 12-18 month age before neutering.  This allows the hormones to do their job in healthy growth and development.  Remove the hormones too early, and the growth plates may not close properly; resulting in leggy and potential skeletal and joint issues later on in life.

You've got a nomad breed...so on the other hand, perhaps you want to get him altered early to aleviate that inate wandering...especially when a seasoned bitch is in smelling distance.  Perhaps that kind of thing is more important.

You can do research (as you are now) to see what may be best for you and your dog's lifestyle.

He is adorable, btw. 

I neutered Lex a couple weeks before he turned a year old (last december). He started doing the whole humping/marking/boy thing at about 5 or 6 months. I just stuck it out and did some extreme training. He is about 55 pounds so in the larger range. I have heard mixed opinions about when to neuter and it seems to be mostly a personal preference. If you chooose to alter him later like I did then you must be on your toes. I watched Lex like a hawk. After he was neutered the humping started to die down and now with consistant training he never does it. He still lifts his leg to pee and marks things on our walks but thats it.

Thanks :D

I'm thinking about getting him neutered during my winter break. I'm in college right now and I live on campus so my younger siblings and my parents are taking care of him (my sister's only a year younger than me so it's not like they're little children). I want to be at home just to watch him, etc. If I get him neutered then, he'd be about 7 1/2 months old. The roaming thing has me a little worried too. He's not kept outdoors but sometimes we just let him loose in our backyard to run around, etc. and not on a tie out. Our backyard is fenced in but only parts of it are 6 feet and some other sections are 4.... We're usually out there with him as well when he's running around but it's not like we're constantly watching him. We're doing hw outside on our deck at the same time.

When your dogs were neutered did anything change? Like were your dogs in pain and uncomfortable and didn't want to move around too much? I'm worried that he'll have so much pent up energy since I know we're not supposed to let our dogs do strenous exercise such as running around or walks and they should only be allowed outside to use the bathroom.

TysonSS

Like were your dogs in pain and uncomfortable and didn't want to move around too much?

Anything but. They were up and ready to go the NIGHT of the surgery. Spays seem to take the night to recover, but the neuters are always ready for anything that night. I let them run, as I usually have pups - just watch the site, to make sure the stitches don't tear or get dirty.

TysonSS

When your dogs were neutered did anything change? Like were your dogs in pain and uncomfortable and didn't want to move around too much?

Yes,this is a volatile issue.My personal experience and philosophy are to neuter just before six months.As Ericka said,they recover fast.

Tena

TysonSS

Like were your dogs in pain and uncomfortable and didn't want to move around too much?

Taz was....he moped around for 2 days and gave us the sadest puppy dog eyes! I think he was just milking it for all it was worth though!

misstrouble

I think he was just milking it for all it was worth though

Dogs don't have the same attachment to this type of thing as a human would. A human male would be terrible upset, but a dog doesn't have the same 'omg, they are gone' reaction....

there can be slight discomfort, esp. with an older dog, but with a young guy, things should not really be bad at all, I rarely give pain meds after my fosters have surgery. I'm more inclined to do so with females, but I still hardly ever do. Pain meds seem to make 'mommy' feel better though

TysonSS

I want to be at home just to watch him, etc. If I get him neutered then, he'd be about 7 1/2 months old. The roaming thing has me a little worried too.

I think 7 1/2 months is very reasonable. People that wait much longer really have to use extra caution and training to prevent accidental litters or a dog disappearing.

 we're not supposed to let our dogs do strenous exercise such as running around or walks and they should only be allowed outside to use the bathroom.

You don't have to keep a dog confined after a neuter. They can be out and walking the very next day, or the same day even if they feel like it, as long as they aren't romping around in thick woods with sticks and stones poking everywhere. A neuter is an extremely quick and easy surgery. I neutered a cat last week - it took literally 7 minutes, and two hours later he was completely back to normal.