| Do you plan on neutering/spaying your Doberman? What age are you planning on doing this? If you already did this, what age were they when you did this?
I neutered Seth at 7 or 8 months of age.
Do you think spaying/neutering at an early age impacts their growth due to missing hormonal changes? Slower to fully mature physically?
From experience in showing and occasionally breeding Great Danes, I can say that neutering a Dane early does impact their growth as far as bone density and filling out. Most Danes neutered early do grow tall, but are lanky and very rarely ever fill out. I am assuming this is from the reduced amount of testosterone flowing through their bodies.
I watched my friend's Dobermans grow up. They neutered their male at five months of age, and he grew but was also lanky as well. I neutered Seth at a few months later in age, and he filled out a bit more than Cash did. Seth isn't as filled out as an older Doberman would be, but in a few more years I can fully develop an opinion on him about this.
Do you think having this done, prevents certain risks of cancer.
For dogs, it reduces the chances of prostate cancer since the prostate itself isn't removed. It does prevent testicular cancer because the testicles are removed.
For bitches, it does prevent uterine and ovarian cancers and cysts because they're removed. There is a chance of problems with the remaining "stump" of the reproductive organs though. And since the mammary tissues are still present, cancers can still develop. However, it has been proven that a bitch spayed before her first heat cycle has a lessened chance of developing cancers in the mammary tissues than a bitch who has experienced just one heat cycle.
What gender benefits more, male or female?
I personally feel that dogs benefit more than bitches do from being altered.
What are the Pros & Cons do you see for spaying/neutering?
Neutering Pros:
Reduced aggression tendencies
Reduced desire to roam
Reduced chance of prostate cancer
No chance of Testicular cancer
Less desire to mark territory if neutered at an early age
Possibly eliminate/reduce humping of random objects and living creatures
Neutering Cons:
Possible infection of surgical site and tied tubes
Males tend to end up lanky if neutered at an early age
*Some* men refuse to do it for ridiculous reasons
Spaying Pros:
No heat cycles/no mess every 6 months or so!
No unwanted pregnancies
No uterine or ovarian cancer
No stray dogs wondering on property
No fights within your home by your males
No pyometra
Reduced chance of mammary cancers if spayed early
Spaying Cons:
Death due to anesthesia
Infection at surgical site which can lead to other problems
Incontinence at an older age, possibly at younger ages too
"Stump" infections
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I feel that weight gain isn't due to removing the reproductive organs. I feel that if a dog or bitch is not going to benefit the breed by reproducing, it should be altered asap. I say this because there are some excellent dogs produced by ethical breeders who cannot finish their Championship titles for whatever reason, but have produced champions. Genetic testing (among other tests) is very important for all animals.
Meagen
__________________ From a 12 week old puppy, to a 1 yr old "adult".  | 
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