Age to neuter?

I've scanned the forum/blog/discussion and didn't quite see replies applicable to the following question ---

At what age would be OK to neuter my 26-week old?

My vet said he's ready -- the breeder says wait until 12 months for proper growth plates, etc.

ASPCA has said he's ready (they even said as early as 16 weeks -- which is a bit early IMHO)

So just gathering not only age-opinions but also pros/cons for those ages?

Why wait until older really --

My little boy is 19lbs currently. He's only just started lifting his leg -- and at everything now! Thankfully nothing in the house (yet)

He's not showing any asssertiveness, barking, wanderlust, anything

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Permalink Reply by Jane on July 26, 2011 at 1:22pm

That is very unusual, I could see maybe for a complicated spay or a cryptorchid surgery but a regular neuter isn't a very complex surgery. Is there actually someone who stays at the clinic overnight to observe them?

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Permalink Reply by Paul, Greg and Jake on July 26, 2011 at 1:48pm

I"m assuming so as the vet also does daycare and overnight boarding.

However his neutering was last week -- it's a done deal at this point and now he's home relaxing and being lethargic now :-)

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Permalink Reply by Peggy Woods on July 26, 2011 at 5:31pm

I also had my boy done at about 7-8 mos. He was lifting his leg (everywhere) so that helped cut down on the # of lifts per mile :D

He didn't have to wear the collar of shame - he did fine. He just seemed to be a bit "depressed" that 1st day (I woke up fine this morning?)

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Permalink Reply by Nicola Porter on September 8, 2011 at 6:16pm

Lando Oliver was humping pretty early, don't recall the leg lifting though. He does both though (squat and lift) I am not in his little head so I don't know how or why he chooses one over the other. I wish I had waited until he was 12 months though as he is a rather small corg at 21 pounds, who knows if I had waited he may have had more of the corgi look. As he is now he is a long, lean fetching machine.

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Permalink Reply by Nicola Porter on September 9, 2011 at 11:02am

Oh I don't know for sure at all, but I have been reading about growth plates and all that. We got Bootsie about a week before his first birthday and he still had his balls. He soon got the deed done but has the more corgi shape, could be genetics, I don't know and I won't claim I do. It's just thoughts.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Geddes on September 9, 2011 at 8:15pm

I asked this question of Anne Bowes when I picked up my fluffers, Linus. She said that as soon as the male puppy goes from squatting position to pee to a lifting of the leg to pee - it is time to make the appointment for a neutering.