Rowan

My first two were neutered before their first birthdays and I didn't notice any change in appearance or behaviour. They both learned to lift and wee pretty early. My latest was a stud dog for 5.5 years and I noticed a subtle change in his behaviour post-neutering. In short, he relaxed to some extent. Granted, he just came from a breeder's home where there had been a bitch in heat, and his entire life changed overnight. So, this change probably wasn't entirely due to his neutering. There was no change in his temperament: he's still sweet, energetic, adorable and an attention seeker.

DonnaM

Castration is a much less invasive proceedure than the total ovario-hysterectomy customarily done on females. My boy was neutered at about 7 months of age. He was quite sleepy and subdued after coming home later the same day of surgery. The next day it was as if nothing had happened and he did not appear to be aware of the sutures. Less than a month after neutering he developed the leg lift and he pees on multiple trees as we walk along. Appearently 60% of neutered dogs develop the leg lift. He also attempts to mount cats and small dogs. There's no urine marking in the house, (thank goodness) and he never runs off as my first dog did as an un-neutered male. Everyone thinks he's a female, but that tends to be highly common with all poodles, especially in regard to the toy and mini.