Fix him? Or not

[St.Clair5x5]

Struggling with the decision to fix my Chocolate lab Bo or not.  He 6 months right now and  I want him for a hunting dog. Will not getting him fixed create huge problems for me while hunting?

[Fowlweather25]

No it will not cause problems. I'm a firm believer in keeping them intact until they're at least one. I know I will get slammed for saying that. But I've been around dogs and horses my whole life. And you gain a lot of good, healthy muscle distribution by keeping them intact for a while. It will be a little pricier come time to neuter him but the gain will be well worth it. A lot more muscle and a lot less lazy. Fix him eventually though unless you think he's good enough to breed.

[Happy Gilmore]

I'd personally wait until he's done growing at about 16 months old.

getting him fixed should have zero impact on his interest in hunting.

[Fowlweather25]

Holy crap! We agree on something!

[HighCountryHunter88]

my 4 year old male is still has his, i did this for a couple reasons, one he is gorgeous and two i wanted to have all the drive i could get out of him for hunting. it has worked out great, he is an absolute machine! he has a little thing about being an ass to strangers but other than that iv only gotten benefits from it. i cant wait to find a pretty female that is a good duck dog cuz he will make some fantastic duck dogs! If your gona hunt him and as long as he behaves himself and doesn't mark or go cruzin the neighborhood for girls id say leave him the way he is..

[Stilly bay]

Im waiting until my pup turns two, unless I get off my ass do more hunt tests.  some studies have shown there is a marked decrease in anxiety and aggression for dogs that were neutered after 16 months.

[singleshot12]

  18 months to 2 years is the best time to neuter, most labs handle fine till then. Supposedly better for their long term health, bones and joints

BTW great looking pup there!  looks like he'll be a great hunter!

[chuckster]

my buddies pup, were both wonderin if it will cause increased aggression or chasing females the whole time he's hunting?

[andersonjk4]

I had the same reservations about fixing my GSP.  I was affraid it was going to slow his prey drive down in the field.  I didn't want to fix him and was toying with the idea of breeding him, because he is an absolute great hunter.  However, at the age of 2 he started running away at any chance he got.  You couldn't let him outside without a leash on or without the shock collar remote in your hand without him bolting to go look for females.  After he crossed the highway twice I decided I had to cut him.  It was the best decision ever.  He instantly lost his desire to roam and it didn't affect him in the field one bit.  I do regret not getting a litter of pups out of him, but I'm affraid he wouldn't have been around long enough to breed him if I tried to wait it out.  I agree with the previous opinions about waiting though.  Wait until his nuts start becoming a problem then get him cut. 

[HighCountryHunter88]

my buddies pup, were both wonderin if it will cause increased aggression or chasing females the whole time he's hunting?

mine doesnt, with the right training and quality time he is 100% when his vest goes on. he also spent every second with me when he was young (except when at the trainers) so he never leaves my side when we are at home or out and about, or the sliding glass door when im inside. this is just my experience with my male, he is the only one ive had so he could be an exception. some guys that have had multiple males would probably offer more concrete info