To Neuter or not to neuter

[Ali01]

Okay so I know lots of different people have different opinions about this. I really don't want this to become an argument thread or anything.

On the 15th (Of September) we go to see the vet for Nitro to get shots and to discuss whether or not we are going to have him neutered or not, and if we are, when.

We are not planning on breeding Nitro. However he does have all his papers, we have his whole pedigree, and he is ABCA registered, so If down the road I wanted to, I suppose I could. But I highly doubt we will.

I have read some on neutering, but I want to know what your opinions are on it, and why. I don't know what direction to go with Nitro, and I really don't want to make the wrong decision.

Thank you

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[LadyDaniela]

There are many opinions shared on this forum but I will throw in my two cents.

I'm very VERY pro-spay/neuter because I personally have had to put down hundreds of puppies due to 'accidental breeding' while working at the local shelter. I believe that unless the dog is an exemplary specimen which the breed simply cannot continue without the addition of their genes, I do not see any reason not to have a dog sterilized. I do not believe that because one has papers for a dog that the animal needs to be bred. If one DOES feel that their animal qualifies, the proper work needs to be done, tests need to be administered and the necessary research for the potential mate. I find breeding because 'fido will make such cute puppies' or 'little Pablo should witness the miracle of life' absolutely deplorable.

The possibility of testicular cancer is removed completely. Dogs are less apt to go wondering in search of a bitch in heat, they are generally less aggressive (provided they are properly socialized), and inappropriate mounting (IE not dominance) is usually eliminated. I would however recommend waiting until he has finished growing, as neutering prior to the closing of growth plates can change the animals final size. Additionally, dogs neutered before puberty are typically larger. While some disagree, I believe that neutering him will have little baring on leg lifting. Tucker was neutered at 6 mos and cocks his leg on everything in the back of the ranch while BennE was neutered at 8 wks and still squats to pee (at nearly 3 yrs old). Some people may argue that spaying and neutering an animal causes them to become fat and lazy; this has yet to be proven. What has been proven is that overfed under-exercised dogs are fat and lazy. BUT that's another conversation

There are plenty of fine examples of dogs who can be taught to control themselves around a bitch in heat however I do know personally know any. (I MUST meet Hannah's pack )

[tase]

Hi! This is a subject with lots of opinions I agree with both sides to this story but due to very bad experiences with having dogs done I don't do it anymore.. I have nothing against having dog done If medically needed yes I would or will have my dog done My BC has had and still is having tests done so he can be used for breeding if all tests come back with good results, his breeder wants to use him for breeding..
But I'm sure there are lots of good points to having your dog done..like LadyDaniela already mentioned!!I can imagine that this is not an easy discission for you..good luck!!

[Oenoke]

If I had no plans to breed my dogs then they would definately be done, but not until they were about a year old and mature. Boomer, Bertie and Teagan are done, Skye and Star aren't. As you all know I bred Skye, but it was with alot of consideration, it took me about 2 years to find the stud dog that I thought would compliment Skye, both Skye and the stud dog had all the available health tests (hip score, DNA tested for CEA/CH, TNS and CL, manual gonioscopy eye test and eye test for PRA). I will see how Star turns out and get all her health tests done (she is DNA clear for CEA/CH and CL through parantage, hip scoring can't be done until she is 1 year old), then decide whether I may breed from her or not before deciding whether to get her speyed.

[RobD-BCactive]

Seems to be hard to get solid info on it, as Lady Daniella clearly expressed, there are many interests (breeder and shelter) who don't want risk of uncontrolled breeding. There are clear reasons to neuter bitches, their seasons attract unwanted attention and an unwanted litter is a tragedy. Dogs can develop behaviour problems which are helped by neutering. OTOH premature neutering can result in problems, and when folk have discussed with Vet's they obtain conflicting advice.

Long Term Health Effects of Spaying and Neutering

I have seen somewhere a suggestion that BC dogs's are one of the breeds not unknown for neutering to actually cause behaviour problems (perhaps fear-aggression) rather than help, but I don't have the link handy. It may be a reason for the KC breed standard to specify entire males, though that's speculation.

I see fair amount of smoke around the issue and suspect some over-selling of the benefits, as a well socialised BC isn't as prone to dog aggression and beligerant assertiveness as some other breeds.

That said, Roaming is more likely with entire dogs and they may attract more unwanted attention from other dogs when entire. None of the 3 BC males my family have had were neutered, and the last one was a model citizen (the previous did roam which was the norm in more permissive times).

[RobD-BCactive]

(09-07-2010 10:39 PM)tase Wrote:  due to very bad experiences with having dogs done I don't do it anymore.. I have nothing against having dog done If medically needed yes I would or will have my dog done

I'm sure everyone would be very interested to hear a little more detail there. If it's something you're happy to write about of course.

[Tassle]

I would always have a bitch neutered if I was not looking to breed, and dogs....case by case.

There is no doubt that neutering helped Jasper (he was done at 7 months when he started to get 'pushy' with other dogs.)
However - this can also be put down to adolescent male behaviour, which, I now know, that with training, can be overcome.

If Gabe had come to me any earlier I am in little doubt that he would have been neutered, but he was 2 1/2, he does not roam (although his recalls were not great when he came to me) he does not mark indoors and has no aggression issues. Even coped well with living with an entire bitch through 4 seasons.

I am of the opinion that breeding should only be done when you have a good example of the breed, with the correct health, temperament. Since owning Siren I have actually come to the conclusion that (IMO) BC's (if going to be bred from) should have had an instinct test as well, I never used to feel that, but it is so much a part of the BC, that it seems a shame to almost be breeding it out. I can see BCs going the same way as many spaniels now.

I have also worked in rescue and have seen the amount of dogs in the wrong home, or people breeding for the wrong reasons.

[tase]

I can tell you about our previous dog who was a small mix breed..he was very active sexually infact it was a real problem I couldn't take him anywhere ..in the end we had him done hoping that this would solve the problem..After her was done he lost interest in life completely Even taking him for a walk became a mission impossible.. He had no interest in the outside world at all anymore..we waited and hoped that the problem would go away but it never did..the vet said that in some cases having a dog done can cause some kind of depression..but this depression just didn't end After a while he became agressive..and I couldn't let people near him if he didn't already know them.. having that dog done destroyed him I guess he is one of the rare cases but that's how it went for us very sad..If I could have turned time back I wouldn't have had him done I would have just worked more on obedience and trying to control the sex drive in other ways..

When I was young we have had a few dogs done that have caused agression problems ect..

So like I said I have nothing against having dogs done but personally I'll only do it again if I really have too..please don't let my story put you off We have just been very unlucky!

[Tassle]

How old was your boy when he was done?

Often I have heard of older dogs (My fear with Gabe) reacting this way, although with pups (6-24mths) it does not seem to make a huge difference.

[only-borders]

I had 2 males from the same litter, one was neutered at age 1 1/2 and the other at 9 because of health issues. There were no differences between the two.

After you talk with your vet you can decide what will be the best option for you and Nitro.

[RobD-BCactive]

(09-08-2010 01:17 AM)Tassle Wrote:  I have also worked in rescue and have seen the amount of dogs in the wrong home, or people breeding for the wrong reasons.

The thing is though, general campaign to responsible dog owners advocating neutering is not going to reach those types.

It's like the totally charming lady I met today, who recalled her dog several times which dog totally ignored, had him push through hole in a hedge (she was exercising him in a school children's playing field where dogs are forbidden), could not see his hackles up and general air of tension investigating my dog on the footpath; then starts trying to tell me as soon as her dog goes back, that "it's alright" which did not impress as an introduction in the circumstances. It probably is also "alright" when she doesn't scoop, and I guess she'll be surprised when her dog gets into a fight etc etc etc

[kristinavb]

I spay/neuter all my dogs/cats. I don't want to breed, i don't want to deal with "accidental" breeding, i just want my pets as they are... pets. I don't care about the supposed health issues if you neuter or the issues if you don't. There are health risks with anything and everything these days. We visit dog parks often and they come to work with me, there is no reason why I need an intact dog/bitch. We aren't breeding. We don't want to breed. And that's that.

Just my 2 cents.

[wildkiger]

Slightly off-topic, but when did people have their bitches spayed? My mom wants Bria to be spayed coming up in Oct...which her age will still be under 5 months if I counted right. I'm thinking that might be too early.

[tase]

Tassle Ali was just over 2yrs when we had him done..bless him!

[trickytrip]

Lady D and I seem to share the same opinion on this topic for the same reasons, I too worked at an animal shelter (Humane Society of Greater Akron), and they put "unadoptables" down. It was sad to see all of the severely abused dogs that came in but rewarding when they overcame trauma and abuse to find a new home.
If you question spay/neuter, visit a local shelter, pound or humane society to see how many unwanted dogs there are.
I now am associated with a rescue and we have had dogs spayed at 5 months without issue and most vets want both testicles to have dropped before neutering and this can happen fairly early.