Quote:
Originally Posted by rottysrule
i have hear that spaying or neutering the pet early can cause the animal not to grow as big as they should have,. other say it doesn't effect the animal at all. So i guess it all depends on the animal.
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In large breed dogs there is significant evidence that neuter spay before puberty means the dog may grow longer long bones. That can put joint angles out and the fact there are more orthopedic problems in such dogs than in intact dogs is thus believed by many to be related to pre-puberty neuter/spay.
A male dog neutered before puberty may not develop in his head, neck and shoulders and be smaller there than an intact male. This effect is not so noticeable in the girls who don't bulk up in those areas like the boys do anyway. This is quite easily seen in horses. A gelding cut early will not have the neck muscles of a stallion.
rottysrule, this would be of concern in your breed, a large breed dog. I have provided a list of readings, all scientific research before on this board. If you can't find it I can post it again. Certainly there are far more reasons than mere appearance and more health concerns than just the joint one to neuter spay pre-puberty or even at all, as more recent research is beginning to show.