To cut the b@lls off or not to cut the b@lls off?

I had my dog neutered when he was years beyond the puppy stage but gradually developed the habit on walks which got him into all sorts of trouble with bigger dogs. The chop did not change his personality or energy levels and keenness for walks at all, but did change his interest in proving he was number one to every fearsome alsation encountered, with the result that walks became really enjoyable again for him (I could safely let him off the lead again with the expectation that he would return on command) and me (dog walkers generally understood, but it was embarring).