What Age?

[twodoggies2001]

My mini schnauzer pup is now 8 months old. I am of course intending to neuter him but am not too sure at what age this should be done. Jasper was done at 6 months of age. My previous mini who has now crossed the bridge was done when he was 9 months old because he had other health issues. I have been told that if I could leave it until he's around 9 - 12 months old, he will not grow as tall. I'm thinking to have him done early January but may wait until he's 12 months old. What do you think?

[Sandra777]

Early neutering delays the closure of the growth plates so the dog will grow a little taller than it would likely have done otherwise - but honestly I hardly think it's going to make an enormous amount of difference to the height of a mini schnauzer :) I would be more inclined to consider things such as is he physically mature, mentally mature, has he started to body up and fill out.

Is there a specific reason why you are in a hurry to neuter him?

I personally wouldn't neuter a small-medium breed dog prior to 18 months without a very good reason - let them grow up and become dogs is my opinion.

[twodoggies2001]

Early neutering delays the closure of the growth plates so the dog will grow a little taller than it would likely have done otherwise - but honestly I hardly think it's going to make an enormous amount of difference to the height of a mini schnauzer :) I would be more inclined to consider things such as is he physically mature, mentally mature, has he started to body up and fill out.

Is there a specific reason why you are in a hurry to neuter him?

I personally wouldn't neuter a small-medium breed dog prior to 18 months without a very good reason - let them grow up and become dogs is my opinion.

Thank you Sandra777. No, I'm not in a hurry to have him neutered and I'll take that into account. He does look physically mature but is still a puppy at heart.