A neuter question

I have a 6 month old Shorkie named Murphy. (ShihTzu/Yorkie mix) He's tiny. right now he weights about 6 pounds. The Vet says that he can be neutered now. He also wants to remove a few baby teeth to allow this adult Canines to come in. However, I am leaning toward waiting until he reaches his full adult size and muscle mass before having him neutered. I understand that males that are neuetered before puberty tend to be taller, because the growth plates are not allowed to fuse normally with the help of testosterone.. and tend to be less sturdy muscle and bone wise. Am I off base in my thinking? Is it better to wait until a year old before surgery? He's so little that I want to give him a chance to bulk up first. OR is it better to listen to the Vet and do it now? I think the Vet just needs some Christmas money...lol! Opinions?

Re: A neuter question

What sort of character is he ? We had a little yorkie who was nervous and stupidly we had him neutered which was worse thing we could have done for him. I don't have an answer to the wait or not just experience of neutering a nervous dog that made him incredibly nervous aggressive for the rest of his life.

Re: A neuter question

On the advice of my vet, my youngest dog was left until after he was 12 months old (in fact, he was nearly two before I had him done). His personality didn't change but he did become prone to weight gain for some reason after the snip.

Re: A neuter question

Right now he's a goofy wackadoodle.. Crazy.. runs around with boundless energy, terrorizing the other dogs. I chalk that up to his puppyhood. My Shihtzu is the most calm laid back dog you can imagine.. and he was neutered at 2 years. He's a rock solid stocky muscle man.. not fat. I know that yorkies are crazy anyway. I was hoping the ShihTzu half would tame it.

Re: A neuter question

My ShihTzu Monroe was an intact rescue guestimated to be about 2 years old. He pee'd all over the place.. lifting his leg incessantly on walls and furniture. Once snipped.. that stopped.. so that was a plus.

Re: A neuter question

My "shorkie" Floyd hasn't been neutered, never had any trouble with him in any way.

Re: A neuter question

I'm curious... not being snarky.... why did you opt to not have him neutered. Is there a health value? Is the risk of testicular cancer something to consider?

Re: A neuter question

I would wait a few more months with him and see how he goes. Normally with dogs they are neutered to stop aggressive behaviour and a waywardness that some can have. Your boy sounds as though he is just a puppy which he will be for about 18months.
If the Vet is saying he should be neutered now is he saying it to stop
him breeding or another reason. I would ask why there is a big rush.
Lots of neutered dogs and cats do put on weight as they get older.,
My big cat weighs 21lbs and is massive even though I had him spayed
at 6months old. It didn't make him a small cat, he is bigger than a lot
of dogs. That's not just his girth either.
Hope everything goes well for him.

Re: A neuter question

Hi Audrey, To my knowledge, they are only more likely to get testicular cancer if they have a retained testicle, because the retained one is being kept at an inappropriate temperature inside the body, they need to be cooler, hence outside normally. Of course they are always exceptions!
A long time ago I considered having an ex stud male neutered, but my vet explained it would be pointless at his age because his behaviour was now well "learned". It might make him incapable of doing the deed, but it wouldn't wipe out his memory and stop him trying! He believed it was best to have the males done before they learn about "the birds and the bees".
Personally, I wouldn't have a boy done nowadays, unless he had a health problem, or unless I also kept unspayed bitches, because then its not fair to him.
Hope that helps.

Re: A neuter question

In the States.. Neutering and spaying does not seem to be just an option. It's just about mandated.. Not by law mind you.. but by custom. Unless a person is going to breed a specific breed of dog.... you have them neutered or spayed. There is a huge campaign against unintended breeding of animals. Dogs AND cats.. It's more or less espected. There are millions of stray and abused animals. Everyone here spays or neuters their pets. Those that opt not to are in the minority. To be honest.. I never considered NOT having Murphy neutered... WHEN was the only variable.