Actually, there may be a bit of truth to that. In a 15-month study conducted at the University of Florida on the effects of prepubertal gonadectomy on skeletal growth, growth RATES were unaffected (P>0.05) by gonadectomy, but the growth PERIOD in final radial/ulnar length was extended in all neutered male dogs (neutered at 7 weeks or 7 months) and in bitches neutered at 7 weeks of age. Thus, animals were not stunted in growth but WERE ACTUALLY TALLER as determined by radiographs (Recent Advances in Small Animal Reproduction, P.W. Concannon, G.C.W. England and J. Verstegen (Eds.)Publisher: International Veterinary Information Service, Ithaca, New York, USA.)
Now I don't have the specifics of this study, but I would imagine that the difference was small, so it is likely that your cavalier had the genetic potential to be a bigger-than-average cavalier anyway, regardless of when he was neutered. But it is true (also in humans) that sex hormones are responsible for closure of the growth plates, and if sex hormones are not present, the growth plates may not close as quickly, allowing greater increase in bone length. Leanne ----- Original Message ----- > > While at the Louisville show last weekend I spoke to the breeder of my 3 > > year old Cavalier, Charlie. We bought Charlie as a pet and had him > > neutered immediately. He is now 16 inches tall at the withers and very > > large boned. ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
