I have been advised by several different veterinarians over the years to neuter a male dog before one year of age. I am rethinking that advise after researching the subject and observing our own dogs. The age and developmental stage of a dog when neutered directly affects the potential for joint disease and the dog’s muscularity. Dogs need strong muscles to have proper support. I did not understand the need for testosterone to complete muscle development in male dogs. I have been blindly following the advise of veterinarians.

I have multiple male dogs, some neutered and some not. My boys are all large dogs, ranging from 65 to 90 pounds. I can see a difference in the muscularity of the boys that were neutered younger, the one neutered later and the two intact. The two boys neutered younger show less muscularity. The one neutered later is very muscular as are the two dogs still intact. I can see little difference in muscle development between the boys in tact and the boy neutered at 11/2 years.

Now here is the catch. Bulgar, a male Olde English Bulldogge, neutered at 6 months, never developed the muscularity of our other OEB males. He is very handsome but not as bulky as you would expect. Emmett our English bulldog cross has a very large frame but also lacks muscularity. Both Bulgar and Emmett were neutered around 6 months old.

On the other hand, Bogie was not neutered until 1 ½ years old and developed into a very muscular boy. Our other intact males have very strong, well-developed muscles.

With what I have read and what I have seen with our boys, I have come to the conclusion that neutering later allows the male to complete his muscular development. To this end they will be able to support their structure more efficiently and for a longer time. So waiting later to neuter your boy will add more active and happy years to his life.