Hello and I am just getting so confused with whether to get my new puppy (when old enough) spayed/neutered. He/she not due until end of June and I haven't decided on what sex yet but prob a boy. However i have heard that the redsetter's coat will turn woolley if done (even my breeder advised not to get done unless medical reasons). But then will my un neutered dog just keep running off all the time? Help, I just want to do the right thing but don't want to ruin its coat either. It goes without saying that I obviously wouldn't just let he/she mate and produce unwanted puppies etc.

Any experiences to share would be appreciated

Thank you

Sorry can't help with this one my setter Zoe is not speyed as I do on occasions show her. To be honest I don't know if I will bother having her speyed as my males are not at all interested in her.

I will be at ringcraft thursday next week if the woman with irish setters is there I can ask her for you if it would help.

Thank you Freyja, I would appreciate it greatly if you did ask. By the way, hope you have recovered from the bathing Zoe incident

I don't own setters but someone in my park does and her coat used to be beautiful but since having her spayed it's curly and white, so it may happen if you spay/nueter yours. I can't give you a answer but that's just my experience.

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Yes I have recovered. If she ever stinks like that again she's going on a chain in the garden with the hose pipe (joke). I've just got 4 whippets to bath on friday for a show on saturday but I'd rather bath all 10 of theem than do Zoe again. There is no ringraft tomorrow but I will ask her next week.

dont know about setters but have heard neutering can change the coat ,had my girl done at 7 years old and her coats horrible now

ive had 3 bitches spayed & to be honest ive not noticed a difference

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I'm sure with red setter bitches it does alter the coat, I'm not sure if the same applies to dogs

I don't have setters but used to run a grooming parlour. Setters and cockers seem to be the breeds worst affected by change of coat after neutering.

They tend to get a apricot coloured fluff/frizz and lose the glossy flow. I used to have to clip a few of the older ones whose coats had become a real challenge with matting. the natural coat is much easier to handle.

If i had a setter i wouldnt neuter unless i absolutely had to and then after 2 years.

I know a woman who breeds/owns Gordon Setters.

The few bitches shes has spayed have all developed really fluffy fur, especially down the sides. Some look worse than others, and none look really terrible.