What are your all's feelings on early spay/neuter and a dog's working drive/performance ability?  IME, dogs that are done earlier stay more puppylike - playful, resiliant, but with a shorter attention span and less retention from lesson to lesson.  It goes both ways - some people complain of intact male dogs who are more apt to be distracted by other dogs (male and female, just dogs in general) - like a greater desire to interact, establish dominance, etc.  The theory is that altered dogs are "softer" therefore "safer" - important with guide/assistance dogs and pets.
  Personally, my intact male was the sweetest dog ever, but he attracted negative attention from other, altered dogs at the park.  We had to stop going to the dog run because he would get jumped.  He was a great diplomat, though, friend and "guidance counselor" to my rescues.  Bonnie, spayed at 12 weeks, is a six-year-old baby.  Pepper, intact, is a no-nonsense guardian; but she was mature early on.

Jana


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