Follow up question on neutering and growth

by Brian
(Houston, Texas)

Hi Sue!

Love your website. I sent you a question last week about my Atticus, but the photos were too small for you to see. Can you please take a look and give me your opinion on bone structure, size, overall look and development. (too fat, too skinny), etc.

Thank you so so much!

Hi Brian
Thanks for sending slightly bigger photos, it helps a little…. but as Judy noted on her comment to your original question posted here…, it would be easier for me if the photos weren’t looking down on him so much. That skews the impression a bit.

Checking your original post I see you’ve had some input from other Rottie owners too and that you’ve provided a bit more info. as well. That’s great because it not only helps you, it helps other visitors who have the same sort of worries.

Obviously it’s impossible for me to say for sure whether or not neutering him before 6 months has made any difference to his eventual, adult size but in terms of his health, it’s my personal opinion that it is more likely to have positive effects on that, than negative ones. Also, as I mentioned previously I have not personally noticed that neutering early on causes ‘stunted growth or development’. Atticus’s bone size, height, coloring, weight, head shape, ear set etc. etc. is 99% down to genetics, the rest is down to his diet and health care.

From these photos he looks like a very average-sized Rottweiler, not very large, but not undersized either. I also don’t think he’s underweight or overweight. He has a very sweet and loving expression and is fairly solidly built. He’s only two years old and could continue to grow and fill out for another year or so, how quickly he matures and to what size is again determined by his parents more than anything else.

He looks like a happy, healthy Rottie and that’s exactly what you want. Looks are only a very small part of the whole package, and even if he’s not the biggest or stockiest of Rottweilers, I don’t think you have anything to worry about in any way.

Hope this helps to put your mind at rest and allows you to enjoy your dog and appreciate him for the special individual that he is. Best of luck to you both!