[smithycraft]

In July we bought a collie pup from a nearby farm.  Both his parents are working dogs and since we are tired of chasing sheep, we are intending to get him working asap.  We've no experience of training a sheepdog but we do have a book .

In the past we have always had German Shepherds.  We have 3 now, a neutered male and female and an un-neutered male.

Whilst the collie is destined to be a working dog, he is of course living with the others indoors.  It was our intention to get him castrated at about 6 months as we don't want any problems with the entire shepherd or with him escaping looking for a bitch.  There are quite a few male collies in this area that seem to go awol from time to time.

My question is, is it likely to have any detrimental effect on his herding instincts?  We don't want to end up with a big softee that won't chase sheep!

[roddycm]

Spyed bitches and castrated dogs will do the job just fine! Talk to a vet, but I'd consider castrating him a bit younger so he never has the rush of hormones, its kinder that way poor chap! I'm sure he'll be a great sheep dog so don't worry about it at all

[Mammyshaz]

Castration will not affect his working ability whatsoever. However, six months is young to neuter a working dog. It is recommended that their bones and joints are fully developed before neutering as there are links with immature neutering and weak joints and higher risk of cruciate ruptures. I wouldn't recommend a working collie be done before a year old or even up to 18 months. German shepherds I aim for 2years so they are fully developed.

[SallyintNorth]

Skip had to be castrated as his testicles never descended and the vet was worried about problems later on.  His work ethic is unchanged, but it is harder to control his weight.

[happygolucky]

I have no idea about particular breeds but I read all sorts about castration and I think its better for the dog to develop before castration, a bit like us humans.....castrate us too soon and we never grow up or fully develop, ( I have a male relation that lost one testicle as a baby and has to have hormone injections other wise he turns into a naughty teenager)
saying that I have seen some wonderful large healthy male dogs that had been castrated at 6 mths, my view is old fashioned but I would waite  a little longer....if you google it you find there are arguments both ways but def castrate at some point in the near future

[doganjo]

Castration will not affect his working ability whatsoever. However, six months is young to neuter a working dog. It is recommended that their bones and joints are fully developed before neutering as there are links with immature neutering and weak joints and higher risk of cruciate ruptures. I wouldn't recommend a working collie be done before a year old or even up to 18 months. German shepherds I aim for 2years so they are fully developed.

Totally agree with Sharon and that is from a long number of years with many working gundogs.

[smithycraft]

Thank you for your feedback.  I guess his fate is sealed and he will be castrated, it's just a question of when.

The vet suggested 6 months and I thought that may be a good idea as it would get it over with.  Having had a few problems when we had a older dog neutered I was quite keen, but if it's better left until he's more mature then so be it.

[doganjo]

I'd look at him alongside other collies when he's about a year to 18 months and if you feel he's mature enough in size and mind then go ahead. It's a bit of a balancing act. Good luck

[shygirl]

castrated dogs can grow taller too, so id wait til hes grown unless hes aggressive or something.

[in the hills]

Never had any young dogs castrated but the vet told me that males were best done sooner rather than later as otherwise some unwanted behaviours would become habits and not prevented by castration.


Maybe a bit of a balancing act.


Maybe get advice on plus and minus points from your vet.

[smithycraft]

Yes, I agree it is a balancing act.  I won't set a date just yet, just see how he develops.