As I understand it growth plate closure should occur after the final growth spurt. If an animal is desexed, the hormones that trigger this are not released, so the limbs continue to grow. Same with humans - Castrato singers were unusually long-limbed.
From the interwebs - “Gonadal steroids (estrogen and testosterone), whose secretion increases at puberty, initially promote growth by increasing GH secretion, and then subsequently cause growth to end by causing the closure of the epiphyseal growth plates.”
For a big dog that would be 12 months & too old IMO. I think there needs to be some flexibility, trust & perhaps something signed around intent to desex & no breeding in the meantime - apparantly some breeders allow for this.
I got Oscar from friends of mine down here who are breeders. He was 6 months old when we got him, he originally went to owners that left him locked up all day in a tiny yard and had developed a bit of an anxiety issue. The breeders bought him back and gave him to me.
The anxiety has been an ongoing issue, but he has simply the best temperament I’ve ever known for a dog. He crouches down on his belly to play with little dogs and small children. He learns quickly and is super willing to please.
As a breed they like to ‘bring you things’ This does include people who visit, they very gently grab hold of their arm and ‘escort’ them to you. This can be misinterpreted by people as ‘biting’, it isn’t.
I’ve also had welsh springers which are the most loving and loyal dog, they call them the Velcro Dog. They are however possessive of their family and their families space so need careful training.
Growing up my best friend had an Airedale, quite simply, he was a magnificent beast. Very strong though but with careful training an absolutely wonderful family pet and very intimidating to undesirables.
I’d be very happy with a SPoo - they seem like amazing dogs. It’s the breeder we have been involved with who has proved difficult & there aren’t too many other options at the moment.
On the other hand, Curly Coated Retrievers also seem a good fit as a breed with the benefit of us being in contact with an approachable, responsive, flexible, well-credentialled breeder who has an upcoming litter (many of the breeders we have approached have been unresponsive and / or inflexible).
(stumbled across the site a few years ago, it’s nice to get the breed you like, but sometimes they maybe not suited to your lifestyle, not good for anyone and moreso the dog)
They do get excited when you get home but nothing too over the top. I don’t have mine groomed like that - if I could workout how to post a photo I’d show you. My 18 month old basically jumps all over my oldest dog and he just let’s her - very tolerant.
I just go to the pound and let the dog pick me. Never had a pure bred dog, always from the pound, you treat them right and give them the love and attention they desire and they’ll be a great dog no matter the breed.
Got a toy poodle 18 months ago - it’s a living soft toy, loves to cuddle and be involved, and has managed to train us with a minimum of fuss to suit its lifestyle.
Toy poodles also do not drop hair, but will need a haircut a few times a year.
Previously I had a chocolate lab (RIP) also a lovely natured animal but a hair dropper to the extreme. He learned to leave the room immediately an Essendon game started on the TV.
I find cleaning up the turds of a 4.5kg toy poodle compared to a 30kg lab much preferable!
[quote=“Gwilty, post:58, topic:10422, full:true”]
Got a toy poodle 18 months ago - it’s a living soft toy, loves to cuddle and be involved, and has managed to train us with a minimum of fuss to suit its lifestyle.
Toy poodles also do not drop hair, but will need a haircut a few times a year.
Previously I had a chocolate lab (RIP) also a lovely natured animal but a hair dropper to the extreme. He learned to leave the room immediately an Essendon game started on the TV.
