Help settle a point of disagreemnt for me...

My last two dogs I've had were rescues and were nuetered as all rescues here are.

My dog Harry (Pit mix) is almost 9 now, is fit, trim, alert and obidient like a soldier. Dogs that eat too much and dont get excersize, like people, gain weight, nuetered or not.

If you are not breeding I would say snip him.

I would also ask dog trainers(vets may be partial) what they see in behavioral differences and their opinion. They should have a wide variety of experiences and preference.

Thanks Raul. I'm not really concerned about weight gain too much since Marrok tends to run to the thin side and according to his owner's always has been a bit of a picky eater. I don't think his pictures show it but hands on he feels a bit thin so a bit of weight gain wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for this big guy.

I've also joined a breed specific forum so I can get the impressions from Mastiff breeders and owners as to the effects of neutering on a male of his age and whether there are any specific health risks with the meds used during this sort of surgery.

GET HIM NEUTERED!!! It is the responsible thing to do, it is better for the dogs health and it will make him less likely to want to roam looking for neighborhood females that may not be spayed. Plus look at any local animal shelter and see all the sad little faces that dont have a place to call home, please dont take the chance of adding to that problem, it is not going to change anything about your dog, if he gains weight then you just have to portion his feedings and exercise him enough to keep that under control, just like people do!!

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

With regard to our new male dog (who in case you haven't read his thread is a 2 year old Japanese Mastiff x Bulldog).

I believe he should be neutered. I've always kept dogs that were spayed or neutered and feel it makes for a better pet. Also I think this dog will be an even more balanced, attentive home protection animal if he is not stressed by the drive to breed.

My husband on the other hand, while agreeing somewhat with me, is concerned it will make this male dog lazy and less alert. Mike is also concerned with how hard this might be on a fully mature male dog. I'm not sure on this point since all my previous dogs were fixed as puppies.

So what's your opinion. I have a call into the vet clinic to book his neutering and would like to put my husband's worries to rest about this procedure. I'm especially interested in those of you that do own some of the stronger natured, protective breeds. Did you get your male dogs altered? If so did you see any major change in how they help you care for your home's security?

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We have an un-neutered 3 year old adult husky.. a rescue (not from a shelter, just from a rotten home)... My fiance never got him neutered and he got him before we moved in 2gether...

I am getting him neutered ASAP.. Solely for his will to roam (i replace fence boards weekly).. not to mention he humps my other male dogs... marks EVERYTHING....
He also is the biggest wimp on the planet.. so losing his *ahems* isn't going to make him any weaker.




Also I have a neutered 6 year old rottie/american bulldog mix who has PLENTY of energy (loves loves loves fetch). And would protect me & my home to the death. He was neutered as an adult about 2 years ago (at the rescue I got him from)

I have a boxer rescue who was neutered as a puppy, more energy than a ball of cotton candy... and lets me know if ANYone comes near the house let alone actually comes up to a door.

hope that helps :D

Jo here are some good replies from some awesome american bulldog lovers and breeders. I'm kinda going though the same thing.... but my vet is hounding me to get him fixed at 5-6 months old. IMHO I don't think it's good till the dog is at least a year old and fully mature. I'm personally waiting till Bosco is 18 months old before even thinking of doing so. But yes getting him fixed should not change him to much, only will keep him from wanting to run around looking to love on some lady dogs.

http://www.realjdjboard.com/showthread.php?t=1623

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Originally Posted by Jamie-n-Heith

GET HIM NEUTERED!!! It is the responsible thing to do, it is better for the dogs health and it will make him less likely to want to roam looking for neighborhood females that may not be spayed. Plus look at any local animal shelter and see all the sad little faces that dont have a place to call home, please dont take the chance of adding to that problem, it is not going to change anything about your dog, if he gains weight then you just have to portion his feedings and exercise him enough to keep that under control, just like people do!!

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There is no issue of Marrok roaming. He's never tied outside unattended and never off leash outside of our home so that's not a problem. I'm still in favor of neutering him though but wanted to be clear that this dog is under control at all times so unlikely to be able to get to a create unwanted pupies.

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Originally Posted by OFRD_GRL

We have an un-neutered 3 year old adult husky.. a rescue (not from a shelter, just from a rotten home)... My fiance never got him neutered and he got him before we moved in 2gether...

I am getting him neutered ASAP.. Solely for his will to roam (i replace fence boards weekly).. not to mention he humps my other male dogs... marks EVERYTHING....
He also is the biggest wimp on the planet.. so losing his *ahems* isn't going to make him any weaker.




Also I have a neutered 6 year old rottie/american bulldog mix who has PLENTY of energy (loves loves loves fetch). And would protect me & my home to the death. He was neutered as an adult about 2 years ago (at the rescue I got him from)

I have a boxer rescue who was neutered as a puppy, more energy than a ball of cotton candy... and lets me know if ANYone comes near the house let alone actually comes up to a door.

hope that helps :D

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I does help a lot. I am really happy to hear experiences from you with these sorts of protective breeds and hear that the surgery will not dimish Marrok's natural need to watch over us and our home. :) I think this will really help my husband and I become more comfortable with the decision we are contemplating.

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

Jo here are some good replies from some awesome american bulldog lovers and breeders. I'm kinda going though the same thing.... but my vet is hounding me to get him fixed at 5-6 months old. IMHO I don't think it's good till the dog is at least a year old and fully mature. I'm personally waiting till Bosco is 18 months old before even thinking of doing so. But yes getting him fixed should not change him to much, only will keep him from wanting to run around looking to love on some lady dogs.

http://www.realjdjboard.com/showthread.php?t=1623

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I'm going to safe this link and have a good read over it later. Thanks so much for providing it.

Marrok is 2 so is probably reaching his full potential as far as size and bone growth. Tosa's are big but certainly not the giant size of an English Mastiff so I think he's likely done growing. I have read that allowing them to reach maturity prior to fixing them allows for proper bone density and muscle mass to support that heavier build.

Thanks again to all of you! What a great forum this is. The focus may be on reptiles but I love how much group life experience we have to share with each other.

Oh btw I was just doing some googling today and found a link about Canine Good Citizenship certification. There's an Ohio Mastiff Club and one of their members is an accredited examiner. I think this would be a wonderful experience for Marrok and Mike. :)

My old Eskie was neutered at the age of 2+ (rescue dog. Don't know exact age, and the surgery was part of the contract), and he stayed just as fat as he was when we got him. As soon as I switched him to lean food & started exercising, he was leaner and trimmer than pre-neutering. He also didn't lose an ounce of his protective abilities.

Similar story with our Chi. He growls just as hard at strangers as he did before.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

I does help a lot. I am really happy to hear experiences from you with these sorts of protective breeds and hear that the surgery will not dimish Marrok's natural need to watch over us and our home. :) I think this will really help my husband and I become more comfortable with the decision we are contemplating.

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Good I am glad :-)

And trust me... you will NOT miss him marking your fence/house perimiter/etc mutliple times daily LOL I promise!

My friend has two mastiffs, both neutered early(6 months?) and both grew to full potential and are huge with great bone strength and all healthy. All my yorkie dogs were neutered/spayed in adulthood, and none changed behaviors afterwards, and none of them are fat. Just needed to add, because earlier I wasn't paying enough attention.

I have a doberman who was nuetered as a puppy but is the best watch dog you could ask for. I live in a medicore area of town but dont ever worry about anyone coming in my house. Not only does he bark but he attacks when someone tries to come in with out me opening the door.