Should I neutrate my dog?

I have a 4 months old male dog. My vet recommends neutrating him in a couple of months, but I have my doubts. I'm worried he will loose his natural playfullness (although my vet says that if done at an early age, the procedure actually prolongs the dog's "childhood" years).

What are the pros and cons of neutrating a dog? at what age should the procedure be done?


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Your vet is right about the age of neutering. As long as the dog does reach his puberty he wouldn't loose his playfulness because he wouldn't know what he is missing. It's better to neuter a dog when he's still a puppy. The main pro argument is that the dog wouldn't run away during oestrum and wouldn't be beaten  by other dogs while fighting for a female. The main con argument is of course not being able to reproduce and if neutered after the dog hit puberty- there are some chances of his behavior changing and even the risk of depression.  

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I think one of the most important pros is the fact that by doing this you help prevent puppies being born in the streets, without a warm place to grow up in. There are so many strays out there, it seems almost cruel not to take actions to limit this number.

Posted 2007-06-24T06:21:42Z
 
44 helpful answers

You really should neuter your dog.  There are so many homeless dogs out there.  Each year, in the USA alone, tens of thousands of dogs are euthanized because there arent enough homes.  Please dont add more puppies to the number of dogs in the shelters!  Also, studies show that dogs that are neutered have less health problems and can live longer!

 
2 helpful answers

You should have your dog neutrated only if you don"t plan on breeding him.

 
44 helpful answers

from the ASPCA web site:

 

Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

1. Your female dog or cat will live a longer, healthier life.
Spaying—the removal of the ovaries and uterus—is a veterinary procedure performed under general anesthesia that usually requires minimal hospitalization. Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent pyometra (pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer. Treatment of pyometra requires hospitalization, intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Breast cancer can be fatal in about 50 percent of female dogs and in 90 percent of female cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
2.  There are major health benefits for your male animal companion, too.
Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male dog or cat—the surgical removal of the testicles—prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
3. Your spayed female won't go into heat.
While cycles can vary greatly, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house. Unspayed female dogs generally have a bloody discharge for about a week, and can conceive for another week or so.
4. YouR male dog won't need to roam away from home…
An intact male in search of a mate will do just about anything to get one! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.
5. …and he will be much better behaved to boot!
Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Indoors, male dogs may embarrass you by mounting on furniture and human legs when stimulated. And FYI, a neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as unneutered dog--and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
6. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
It's no use to use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
7. Spaying or neutering is highly cost-effective.
The cost of your pet's spay or neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with neighborhood strays…or the cost of cleaning the carpet that your unspayed female keeps mistaking for her litter box, or the cost of…well, you get the idea!
8. It's good for the community.
Stray animals pose real problems in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause vehicular accidents, damage the local fauna and scare children.
9. Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to witness the miracle of birth.
We've heard this one a lot. But you know what? Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping teaches your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the truth behind this dangerous myth. There are countless books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a responsible manner.
10. It packs a powerful punch in the fight against pet overpopulation.
Millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

 
351 helpful answers

What comes around goes around.

i have 2 small female dogs and i didn't listen to my vet when i was told to spay them before they went into heat. it was definitely not a good decision on my part. i waited because i was debating whether it was right to take away my girls' female anatomy. at some level, i thought it was inhumane. but after seeing how uncomfortable my girls were while in heat, i decided the doctor was right and as soon as they were done being in heat, i had them spayed.

playfulness is not lost when an animal is neutered. if anything, it stays around longer because the dog is less worried about finding a female to mate with. instead, he's more concerned with playing and having fun.

i highly suggest getting the procedure done.

 
1 helpful answer
if you cant play the song ask for help or learn it yourself.and cant is never a word in my vocabulary the word is i'll try.Cool

you should nuter your dog before hes a year,he would possibly loose his playfulness but you can play with him every day so you can not let that happen.you shouldent have any doubts because if you dont nuter your dog he could start douin other dogs or even you and your family/freinds.

 
5 helpful answers

Personally without going into depth...I had my doubts about how my dog would be after it was done. Like you said will he still be playful etc

Yes i had my JRT chopped :) at 6 months and also micro-chipped at the same time (cheaper that way) and he didn't change a bit. He's still the crazy, fun loving playful, energetic little guy i brought home on the very first day.

I've also experienced issues when you don't have them done such as ingrowing testicles and potential problems, humping, aggression. If you don't want him for breeing i'd personally say it's the thing to do :)

 All the best x

 
3 helpful answers

Life is a bed of roses. . . watch out for the pricks!

Yes, Yes Yes!! Unless the dog is intended for stud he should be neutered. His character will not suffer in any way and he will be more of a happy pet if he is not constantly thinking about procreating!!

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