A little dog advice please...

[Duffy.yyz]

I have a yellow lab that's about a year and a half old. He hunts, good with kids, little hyper....Can't decide if I want to have him snipped or not...What are your thoughts guys?

[Shawn Braquet]

Plan on breeding him? Registered? Anything spectacular about the dog? In most cases snipping may not be a bad idea but if there's something you want to pass on with a pleaseable female to your liking in ability then go ahead. I will say though that now that I know more about labs that I would suggest in most cases not to breed. Just my opinion though!

[rustyb]

Snip

[Ducktrickster]

If you are considering it then you probably should.

[Top Dawg]

Snip em

[Super Spook]

Most of the dogs I see that get snipped get fat and lazy. He is still a puppy too. I would never snip a hunting dog.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Super Spook

How old is he? Most of the dogs I see that get snipped get fat and lazy. I would never snip a hunting dog.

Only if they get no excersise and over eat.
One of my training partners dogs are both fixed, ask Shawn if they are fat and lazy. Way cheaper and easier to buy a quality puppy that breed a meat dog just to continue a "Common" pedigree.

[Super Spook]

Originally Posted by Raymond

Only if they get no excersise and over eat.
One of my training partners dogs are both fixed, ask Shawn if they are fat and lazy. Way cheaper and easier to buy a quality puppy that breed a meat dog just to continue a "Common" pedigree.

The two females we had fixed couldn't keep the weight off no matter what. I am sure there are exceptions, but the majority I have seen fixed the owners were not happy they did it. IMO, I wouldn't do anything to kill drive of a hunting dog. This dog is still a pup too. my .02

[joshdomingue]

let him keep his manhood !!! just work him everyday and burn that energy off....

[Top Dawg]

I clipped my weim and he didn't change at all. Except for the fact that he didn't try to escape any more.

[rustyb]

Doesn't change the temperament. The ONLY thing that makes a dog fat is too much food. Yes neutering, or spaying a dog, can slow the metabolism, but then you must cut back on food. Its as simple as that. It does not change the dog.

[Super Spook]

Originally Posted by rustyb

Doesn't change the temperament. The ONLY thing that makes a dog fat is too much food. Yes neutering, or spaying a dog, can slow the metabolism, but then you must cut back on food. Its as simple as that. It does not change the dog.

I guess I'm lying about the my dogs then. Their temperament changed for sure as well as their metabolism and several others I know.

In this situation with a male escaping you would probably be better off snipping.

[rustyb]

Originally Posted by Super Spook

I guess I'm lying about the my dogs then. Their temperament changed for sure as well as their metabolism and several others I know.

In this situation with a male escaping you would probably be better off snipping.

I dont think your lying. THere are many things to consider, and you are right about the metabolism.
I think people describe temperament in different ways. A dog with high drive will not be less driven simply by neutering. Some of the best dogs I have ever worked with have been neutered.

[Raymond]

Worked like a charm on me
I would much rather hunt,fish, and train dogs than chase cat now.

[malliegator]

I am partial to the ladies and have had some really good ones. I have always had them fixed, I work my dogs year round, mange their diet and never delt with weight problems. Nothing more frustrating than a dog in full heat when the hunting is good.

If I am going to cut a male I like snipping them when they are young, before they ever start lifting a leg to do their business. It shaves a lot of blind bags and coats and waders from man-dog showers.

[Super Spook]

Originally Posted by rustyb

I dont think your lying. THere are many things to consider, and you are right about the metabolism.
I think people describe temperament in different ways. A dog with high drive will not be less driven simply by neutering. Some of the best dogs I have ever worked with have been neutered.

I am pretty certain I know the definition of temperment. I was just letting him know my experience with 10 labs and 5 litters. I will never spay a hunting dog again. Glad it worked out for you.

[rustyb]

Originally Posted by Super Spook

I am pretty certain I know the definition of temperment. I was just letting him know my experience with 10 labs and 5 litters. I will never spay a hunting dog again. Glad it worked out for you.

I was speaking in general, I would think you know what temperament is.
I have worked exclusively in the dog business professionally for 25 years now. Its what I do for a living everyday. I am not trying to argue with you but the number of dogs you speak of is very small. My statement is based on the national consensus. Also it is what the veterinarian community states.
I dont want to hijack this thread. Just answering his question about spaying or neutering that was asked in the original thread.

[Duffy.yyz]

He hunts, bot not a whole hell of a lot. He's a little hyper. I wouldn't mind if he lost a little hunting drive, i have a collar for that He is very good at escaping Top Dawg. That's one of the reasons I'm leaning towards it.

[rustyb]

If he is escaping to go out dating, then neutering him will fix that. If hes escaping just to be out of his area, neutering will do nothing for that.

[Duffy.yyz]

It's hard to say why he is getting out, whether he is looking for something to poke or just the smells in the area. But curiosity is going to kill the dog. He's been hit once and has crossed gulf highway once. My best friends wife works at Lake Area Animal and she seems to think it will help with that.