Should I get my dogs neutered?

[jenluckenbach]

Be responsible and neuter your pets. There will always be the risk of them coming across a female in heat, and even 1 accidental litter is too many.

Now, while they may never become agressive towards one another, they are still developing. Will you ever want them to interact with other dogs?

Also, If a bad habit, like marking territory, begins, there may be no stopping it. And even if you are lucky enough to keep them perfectly housebroken in your home, will they ever be in anyone else's home? or at the vet or groomer? Most of the un-neutered dogs come in to the grooming shop and pee everywhere. Neutering would stop the behavior before it starts.

Neutering reduces the risk of cancer just like vaccinations reduce the risk of other diseases.

So, what reasons do you have for NOT neutering?

[sasvermont]

I am sorry if my excitement offended you. I am such an advocate of spaying and neutering that I can hardly believe anyone would not spay or neuter unless they were planning on breeding their animal.

We can try to convince you until we are blue in the face but the last decision will be yours. It sounds as though you may have already made up your mind.

My concern for your dogs would be that a female down the highway, road, street comes into heat and your dog(s) takes off to meet her. Many things can happen on the way...not to mention unwanted off springs.

I am sorry if I seemed "loud and too brief" to you - or whatever it was that you mentioned..... Your comment wasn't the nicest or necessary either. So we are even.

I hope you think (or re-think) your reasoning and have your dogs altered. For male dogs, it's a walk in the park compared to female dogs. I am sure there are exceptions to the rule, but most male dogs have NO problems with the procedure.

Let us know what you decide. Of course, if you do not, you and your dogs will be fine, I am sure.

By the way, I am a dog and cat owner and treasure every moment I spend with them. I have always had them spayed and altered. My vet highly recommends it. I truly trust my Vet.

P. S. I just ready your very long post - your third one, that is. I found your knowledge impressive and suggest you contact someone at a Vet school.... and get the details you are looking for. If you don't trust your vet, find a new one you do trust. We are merely "pet owners", not doctors. Some of the people here have be involved in dog and cat rescues for years and/or have had dogs/cats for years. If you are looking for experienced animals owners, you are in the right place. If you are looking for a more detailed explanation other than what we have to offer, then you may have to go somewhere else.

Good luck.

[Karen]

The extra testosterone in their system makes cancer more likely. That is true of humans as well, in certain cancers. And yes, I know of human females who have had mastectomy before breast cancer showed up because of a high incidence of breast cancer in her family. And I get a mammogram every year - but I know why I am putting myself through that discomfort. Once cancer starts in a particular organ it can spread, and there is big danger in it going metastatic before you notice symptoms of the initial cancer.

The extra testosterone will effect personality - as it does in humans too, it can cause increased aggression in dogs or people. Once those pathways are built in the brain, it is much harder to train the behavior away. Brains are not computers, they do not have an "undo" button. Think of it like writing a word on a piece of paper - you can erase it, but then the eraser marks will still be there, the paper is changed forever.

None of us have an financial stake in whether or not you have your dogs neutered. But many people here have more life experience and have worked with dogs longer than you've been alive.

We don't know you, we just want what is best for your dogs. You asked for advice, we are sharing it with you.