Mt. Pleasant Classical Academy

Brutus is a giant dog, a gentle giant.   I had had a gentle giant before, Benson, a Great Dane who stood 39″ at the shoulders.  Imagine, a dog, in your kitchen whose shoulders are 3″ above your kitchen countertops….Yes, Benson counter-surfed with ease.

So when I read online that there was some evidence that neutering giant-breed dogs early can lead to excessive long-bone growth I listened and wondered if that was why my Benson had grown so tall. 

Wanting to do what was in the best interest of the dog, as a caring dog owner wants to do, I asked the folks who know, Brutus’ breed-community when I should neuter Brutus.  Shouldn’t I listen to my vet and neuter at 6 months?  No, they advised, wait until he is 12 or better yet, 18 months old.  Oh my….OK, I convinced myself that since Brutus was always by my side, constrained on a leash he would not get himself, or some bitch into trouble.  If this was what was best for Brutus then we would put off neutering him.  Afterall, I wanted a gentle giant but I didn’t want another Sasquatch who might die from bloat at age 3 due to an extra-large chest cavity.

And so on that Saturday afternoon I took my 9mo Brutus over to my friend’s home for him to be loved and cared for while we traveled to and were at my Dad’s funeral.