Reptile & Amphibian Forums

At what age can I expect the dogs temperment to be mature. He is a 1.5 yr old unneutered male(unneutered until tomorrow).
Thanks,
Brendan

For a pit bull? Probably 2.5, 3 years of age.. It depends mainly on the breed. A small dog like a shih tzu is considered temperamentally mature at about 1 year, and giants like Irish Wolfhounds and St. Bernards are mature at about 4 years I believe, so I'd put a pit bull at about 3 years or so..

>>At what age can I expect the dogs temperment to be mature. He is a 1.5 yr old unneutered male(unneutered until tomorrow).
>> Thanks,
>> Brendan

>>>>>>>>>>

This varies not only by breed but even by the individual bloodline. Males tend to mature later than females. In large breeds, the peak age for a dog killing a child (horrible to think about, I know), is an intact male age 3 years. I feel best results come from neutering by about the age of a year, but in terms of certain behaviors and health issues, it helps at any age.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

In our medium sized dog and also our GSD I saw significant behaviour changes at 2 yrs, 3 yrs, and about 5yrs old. Our GSD was neutered at about the same age as your dog is now.

Where the changes significantly better, worse, or just different?
Thanks,
Brendan