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Originally Posted by woofwoofwoof  I have been tormenting myself, going back and forth over the decision to neuter my male yorkie. He is 7 months old and 7 lbs. I have an appointment for Monday and am considering cancelling because I heard that I should wait until his growth plates close. Does anyone know at what age the male yorkie's growth plates close. I take him on hikes and long walks and would hate for him to have an injury because I neutered him. Also, did anyone leave their male yorkie in tact and what type of behavioral problems did you see.
Please help me - I need to make a decision this weekend to keep my appointment or not!! |
Somewhere between 8mths to one year old - and maybe earlier the growth plates will close. You are essentially right on the cusp with your puppy at this point in time.
If the marking behaviour is already under control a couple of more months won't hurt .. again in my opinion.
I have no behavourial problems with my intact Yorkie. But then again I am breeder (although not of Yorkies), he is not aggressive, he does not roam, he does not hump pillows other dogs human legs, etc. How-ever he will mark in the house when I have a female in heat. Belly bands help with this. And BTW he is my only male that will mark in the house.
In my opinion there is little downside to waiting until he is more mature.
Owning an intact dog is a responsibility that you need to be up for, should you decide not to neuter him. That means making sure he does not mate, inadvertently or not. If he does mate with the pretty gal next door, it is your responsibility to financially and otherwise take care of that litter. Again in my opinion.
There is one other thing I have noticed and experienced, often times intact dogs can become the target of neutered males. Keep that one in mind.
If this was my dog I would wait longer until one year old for neutering.