Hurrah, a vet that doesn't automatically pressure you in to neutering! I know that neutering can really affect my particular breed of dog ( Irish Setter) and many setter owners keep their dogs entire. My pup is 7 months and marking outside, trying to hump etc but controllable at present. However I have not made my mind up either way as yet and will see how it goes. If he turns in to a real pain and I can't control the recall, I will obviously do my best to train accordingly but not at the price of making our (and Reuben's) lives a misery in the process.
I have been told not to consider it for a while yet anyway as his growth plates haven't closed yet and he is no way near mature - 3 yrs for setters I think

It would be a shame to lose his lovely glossy coat and rich chestnut colour but first and foremost he is my pet and I guess we can live with the changes.

Neutering has never effected my dogs coat, i would go for neutering every timeas long as its not done too early my first dog was done at 9 months i think that was too early it didnt effect his growth but i think it made him a little nervous but we soon got around that. We didnt have our second one done as he wasnt marking, humping or showing any unwanted behaviour but at 6 years he got an enlarged prostate and was extremely ill the vet said it was because of him being intact it was caused by the male hormone being present it all had to be cleared up before the op which took quite a while a lot of pain and discomfort for harvey then he had the op the vet did say without the op he would give him around 18 months before prostate cancer so he had the op and it only came back twice after each time much milder as the hormone was leaving his system. So with my experience of having a dog neutered and having another left intact then i would without a doubt go for the neutering.

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I had my boy Nelson neutered just undr 2 years of age. He was fine until one year old, but then he REALLY suffered with various in heat bitches in our neighbourhood. Within one month of neutering him, I was sure this was the best decision. he never had a problem recalling away from an in heat bitch and he had a better quality of life as he didnt suffer when bitches came into heat.
My Nelly was a poodle cross and after neutering him his coat did get thicker - I preferred it personally

I have a bitch now currently on her first heat, and this will certainly be her last. I feel terrible taking away her fun walks and off lead and do not wish to have to do this again!

i have to say iv never noticed any changes in coat after being neutered in any dog i know. but maybe it does affect specific breeds.

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6th Jan 2008 - 22nd July 2009

In setters nuetering results in their coats going soft and fluffy. It was described to me as looking like an afghans coat.

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Sammy you may be gone but your sprit will always live on in the sunbeams R I P Sammy

William- 6/11/03 - 24/3/10
Midge - 8/2/11 - 10-2-11

i havent noticed my westies coat being any different

it's really interesting reading how everyone's dog changes after the procedure! (and about the coat of course)
it doesn't sound like it affects poodles much... but of course i do know it's not priority. I was certainly quite curious to find out tho.

I guess i still have a good 8 months to have a think whether i should get him done. If it means he won't be obessessed with bitches during walks then it does sound like it might be worth it...at least he wouldn't have to suffer from being dragged away and feel frustrated.

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