Neuter or not?

boomdiddyahboomdiddyah
edited October 2007 in General


Hello!


 


I have a 3-month old male akita, and I'm still undecided as to whether I should neuter him or not. I'd prefer not to, but I'm weary of him possibly becoming more stubborn, aggressive, etc. Is there anyone who has not neutered their akita and had success?


Any advice would be appreciated!


 


Thank you!


-Mich


 

Comments

  • ddowdemersddowdemers
    edited November -1


     


    My husband had Akitas and did not neuter.  Kuma, the very large male Akita that I knew, before we were married, was a real love bug and was wonderful with children and small pets that were properly introduced. I would have been reluctant to neuter him as he was about 8 years old when I met him and he was a perfect gentleman.  He was very well trained. 


    We are the parents of a year old Shikoku who is intact.  He is a very loving dog with a great personality.  He has been through lots of training which has helped immensely in his socialization with other dogs.  He is so good in so many ways that we are reluctant about neutering him.  We don't want him to change in any way.


    I think that early socialization and lots of training with the Japanese breeds is the way to go.

  • BradA1878BradA1878
    edited November -1


    Welcome to the forum Mich!


    We have an 8 month old Akita Inu, he is un-neutered. We plan to neuter him at about 1.5 years. We had the exact same question as you and asked it on this forum and was convinced that if we are going to neuter him to wait till he is at least 1 year old. Akitas reach maturity at ~15 months, so they are still pretty young men at 1 year.


    So far, other than a little bit more of a sex drive than we are used to, Hilo has not shown any issues from not being neutered.


    IMO, if you don't plan to breed, I would neuter him - but wait till he is over a year.


    Your Akita is very cute.  :c)

  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1


    I agree with Brad. Not to mention an un-neutered male can illicit aggression from other dogs at times. I know a few dogs at the dog park who attack only males that are "intact". Obviously it is a training issue on the aggressors part, but if you don't intend to breed (and frankly unless you are a serious breeder, please don't) it is simpler to have them neutered. You will have fewer things to be worried about, with a neutered male.


     


    And welcome to the group, your pup is adorable. 

  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited October 2007


    As Brad said, I would wait until your Akita is matured and then neuter him.  In the long run it is the best thing you can do for his health, and it can prevent a some forms of cancer.


    And as Jessica said  un-neutered dogs can illicit aggression, I've seen it happen many times at the park, and usually the un-neutered dog isn't the cause, but comes under attack anyhow.

  • Michelle MMichelle M
    edited October 2007


    Welcome! And oh, what a cutie your little guy is. I had a male Akita and I didn't neuter him until he was 2. For him, it was best - he had CHD and a lot of allergies. But yes, neutering him did remove some of his more 'assertive' personality and some stubborness.


    Personally, I wouldn't neuter him until his growth plates close - usually around 15-17 months for an Akita. His hormones will help with his skeletal development.


    After that, unless he has perfect form, temperment, and an awesome bloodline, I'd neuter him. The longer a dog stays intact, the more chance of certain cancers later. That, and in my opinion, it's not really fair to keep them with certain urges when nothing can come from it. It also helps remove a lot of wander lust and anxiety.


    Your little guy looks very happy. What a sweetie. I just adore Akitas. I just love your pup's face. Makes you want to bestow tons of kisses on him.

  • ShikokuSpiritShikokuSpirit
    edited November -1


    He sure is a cutie!


    Welcome to the forums.


    For neutering concerns...this is a great article:

    http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

  • kwyldkwyld
    edited November -1
     If it were my dog and I didn't plan on breeding him, I would neuter him.  Both of my males were not neutered until 8 mons of age.  Some male dogs that stay intact their whole lives and don't breed develop prosate cancer.  We've seen some cases at the vet hospital I work at, and they need chemo treatments and surgery to treat it(not cure it).  Same goes for intact females who don't breed, sometimes they develop mammary cancer and pyometra(puss and fluid filled uterus).  I would also talk to your veterinarian about it and see what they think to get another perspective.     
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