To neuter or not too?

[BayleeBoo]

I have a ? that is really mind boggling to me. So many people have different opinions upon this matter. My dog just hit 7 months old and I don't know whether to neuter him or not? Does anyone have any suggestions? Can it be beneficial to both me and him?Thanks A Lot Everyone!
BayLee's Mommy
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[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

Why wouldn't you neuter your dog? Unless your dog is a rare purebreed, and unless you are a qualified breeder, then there is no reason to breed a dog.
There are too many dogs in the shelters - mixed breeds especially - that there is no reason to breed a dog just for the fun of having puppies to raise.
Just my thoughts...

[kobieeli]

Neutering is the best thing to do for your young male dog!

1)He definitely won't get certain kinds of cancer and hernias if he's neutered.

2)He will probably be easier to train because he'll have a longer attention span and won't be distracted by the ladies.

3)He'll be less likely to bite because of aggression, and get along better with other male dogs.

4)He'll grow just as big and be just as loving as if you'd left him intact.

5)In all US cities, it's much cheaper to register a neutered dog than an unneutered one.

6)You'll be preventing the possibility of his getting loose and bringing an unwanted litter of puppies into the world, most of which wouldn't find homes.

We neutered Eli at 7 months. He came home that same evening and was his usual energetic self in about 2 days. You should do it!

[Rottie]

Originally posted by kobieeli:
<STRONG>Neutering is the best thing to do for your young male dog!

1)He definitely won't get certain kinds of cancer and hernias if he's neutered.

2)He will probably be easier to train because he'll have a longer attention span and won't be distracted by the ladies.

3)He'll be less likely to bite because of aggression, and get along better with other male dogs.

4)He'll grow just as big and be just as loving as if you'd left him intact.

5)In all US cities, it's much cheaper to register a neutered dog than an unneutered one.

6)You'll be preventing the possibility of his getting loose and bringing an unwanted litter of puppies into the world, most of which wouldn't find homes.

We neutered Eli at 7 months. He came home that same evening and was his usual energetic self in about 2 days. You should do it! </STRONG>

Great list, kobieeli!

BayleeBoo, what kind of dog do you have?

[Albea]

BayleeBoo:
Kobieeli said it all in the list!!!
Please neuter your puppy, he'll have a longer and healthier life if you do. I don't think there is a single vet that will advise you against it. Go to www.vetinfo.com or search some other sites in the Net and you'll find out that there is total agreement on this subject.

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

BayleeBoo,

I agree with everyone who replied to your post. You and your pet are much better of they are neutured/spayed.

I know that it might be a bit scary for you and that you have concerns, I did too. Talk to your vet, she/he will explain exactly what the procedure involves and will tell you how to care for your puppy after the surgery. Sometimes, you will be able to bring your pup home that same night.

[AdoreMyDogs]

Please, please neuter. There are no pro's towards leaving him intact...but many, many con's. Especially if the dog is male, the surgery is so quick that you could take all the laces out of one shoe, then put the lace back in and the dog would be completely done, and the tech would be starting to wake the dog up. It's quite a bit quicker then the female spay, but even the female spay is quick.

[carrie]

Why wouldn't you? Do it, there are only good reasons to go ahead!

[Dixieland Dancer]

I am a breeder of Golden Retrievers. There is a lot of work that goes into breeding a reputable litter for the betterment of the breed and not just for the money. I spend an average of 6 to 12 months searching for the right male to breed my female with. Then there are tests and clearances that need to be done and verified. There are stud fees to pay. Vet bills get pretty hefty for all the pups plus the mother. And finally finding good, solid, homes for the pups is the most important step and very time consuming. Homes are found for all our pups before they are even born with over 30 homes being interviewed before we decide on the 7 or 8 that will hopefully get a pup. We make sure the pedigrees are solid and we know exactly what we want to enhance in the breed before we agree to any mating. All our pups are sold on contracts and required to be nuetered or spayed if they are sold to pet homes. They are also sold on limited registrations with the AKC so if they don't get fixed their pups can not be registered. They are all microchipped before they go to their new homes just as an added precaution that registrations can't be fudged very easily.

In short....all dogs should be neutered / spayed unless you have the time, resources, energy, and determination to breed reputably. When you breed the right way there is no huge cost benefit. It is done for the love of the breed.

If all dogs were fixed then we wouldn't have our wonderful pets but, there are alot of pets who suffer due to the human neglegence of just a few. Fixing the dog does not change their personality or alter the dog in any way. Actually it is found that spayed females usually live longer than unspayed females. When they are fixed you don't have to deal with female problems of various sorts.

Please nueter / spay your pet if you won't ever breed your dog reputably. This is the most humane thing you can do for your pet

[BayleeBoo]

Thank you everyone for your imput! It seems to me that the thing to do would be neuter him. I see no good reason not to. I know all of you are giving me the best of advice and all you love dogs and wouldn't want to see anything happen. Thank you sooo much for giving me support and information on the subject. We will schedule a vet visit soon!
Lots of Doogy Kisses,
BayLee's Mommy
P.s. He is a Labrador Retriever (Chocolate)

[TollSettFK]

It makes your dog have a better life, and you as well. Not nuetering can lead to serious agression problems. Most dog bites have happened with unnuetered males. What do you have to lose, anyway? The mode swing your dog has after surgery lasts only a day or two, and you just can't let him run and jump as much as usual for a week after surgery. Of course, it's up to you, but I think it's it's better to nuter.