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Original poster

...to think all dog owners should have them castrated/spayed (unless if they are for breeding)?

199 replies

LizziePizzie · 19/08/2013 10:05

I might be completely out of touch with this, but I thought that part of being a responsible dog owner was that was unless you have a stud dog, you get them castrated/spayed.

Is it cruel to have an entire dog/bitch, keeping them on the lead, or away from other dogs in case they get laid?

Is it cruel to have them castrated/spayed?

Is it just the responsibility of owners of bitches to get them spayed, or both owners of dogs and bitches?

OP posts:
TakingTheStairs · 19/08/2013 15:00

Curlew So you'd have me put my dog to sleep rather than muzzling him on the occasions that I know he will get stressed and there's a danger of biting?
So I should disregard the progress he is making in training and confidence, disregard what a lovely dog he is when he feels safe (which for the record is 90% of the time), and instead, rather than protecting him and watching him in trigger environments, I should just kill him?

Sallystyle · 19/08/2013 15:02

I need to think about getting my dog done.

He had a bad start in life due to being the runt and having the worst overshot jaw I have ever seen with feeding issues. He weighs like 3 pounds (chihuahua) and is a timid dog so only plays in the garden with me standing with him. He will not walk outside as he is too scared and all the attempts of socialising him have failed badly. He is wonderful with other people in our home and the most gentlest boy ever, but he is never going to get the chance to get another dog pregnant. Trust me, he will never ever run off, he is only comfortable in the garden with me by his side and then if he hears a car he comes jumping up to me. I adore him and it has taken so long to help him learn to eat and gain enough weight to be healthy and to trust people.

The only reason I am considering it is incase he ever starts marking inside? But I don't know if that is just cats!

Because of his small size I am a bit scared to put him through it. I think it would traumatise him Hmm

MrsWolowitz · 19/08/2013 15:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

curlew · 19/08/2013 15:17

I just find it very sad that people think th worst thing that can happen to a dog is to be PTS.

Binkyridesagain · 19/08/2013 15:20

My dog is kept on a leash when out walking and is very happy, her favourite place in the whole world is next to me. But then anything is better than her previous life, tied to a crappy kennel, never walked and beaten regularly.

SillyTilly123 · 19/08/2013 15:28

My Tilly has just been spayed on Wednesday. It was a tough decision and was the 3rd attempt as I kept delaying it. She'd already has one season and I was going to wait until after the 2nd but tbh it was difficult stopping the 3 dc walking in the blood drips and the constant mopping of the floor so decided to do it now. She is 11 months so I'm hoping it wont affect her growth plates too much.

On her 1st season I was terrified she might get 'caught' so I didnt take her out at all. I hope this was the right decision.

TakingTheStairs · 19/08/2013 15:39

MrsWolowitz, Curlew absolutely meant my dog, but unfortunately she presumed that I meant he was on a short lead all of the time.

But as I mentioned earlier, more often than not, my dog is off lead and playing with his ball. His absolutely most favourite thing to do. A bit like your dog chasing butterflies (which sounds adorable btw!)

And Curlew, I don't think that a dog being PTS is the worst thing that can happen to some dogs, but to say the better choice between being muzzled and PTS is PTS is ridiculous. Especially when you jump to conclusions and presume that the dog is on an 18" lead and muzzled all the time.

Do you even have a dog?

Bowlersarm · 19/08/2013 15:42

Well it does sound pretty final Curlew

I think if i were a dog, I would prefer to be loved, played with, walked and muzzled, than dead.

tabulahrasa · 19/08/2013 15:44

"She is 11 months so I'm hoping it wont affect her growth plates too much."

There are more health benefits for bitches being spayed than dogs castrated - I'm only holding off with my boy because he is a boy, so the benefits aren't as clear and he already has a joint problem, I'm being ultra cautious because I don't want to exasperate an existing problem.

If he was a bitch with no health issues, he'd have been done already.

curlew · 19/08/2013 15:46

"I think if i were a dog, I would prefer to be loved, played with, walked and muzzled, than dead."

No, that's what a human would prefer.

Yes, I did read it that the dog was always on a leash and muzzled when out. And yes I do think that is no life for a dog. Apologies for misunderstanding.

Bowlersarm · 19/08/2013 15:56

Still don't agree with you.

curlew · 19/08/2013 16:13

Fair enough. I also don't think animals should be kept in rescue centres for years, or have protracted veterinary treatment either. Because they only live in the moment. And if the moment is shitty, they have no way of knowing that it will get better. All they know is the shitty now. And I think it's cruel to keep them in that '!now" for long.

littlemog · 19/08/2013 16:16

As person who has a lot of dealings with rescue dogs I have to say that the OP is spot on.

There are no reasons not to neuter cats and dogs and not to do so is irresponsible and also risks your pet's health.

It REALLY pisses me off that people are too stupid to just get this done.

Bowlersarm · 19/08/2013 16:19

But Curlew that is exactly whywalking muzzled is not the end of the would for them. Or on a lead. They do live for the moment (apparently). The walk takes what, an hour? They therefore have a further 23 hours in their day to enjoy. I really don't understand why you would want to put a healthy dog to sleep, in those circumstances. Especially if it has the luxury of a garden to potter and play in.

Correct me if i'm wrong but don't all dogs have to be walked on the leash in the US?

missrlr · 19/08/2013 16:19

default setting: animals neutered
timing: when vet / other professional agree it is right for the animal

might mean some are not done but then someone (owner / carer) has taken an informed decision on the matter with all facts available and not just let it slide.

One of mine was not done as in the pre-op assessment it was discovered he had a heart murmur - too risky and so we waited to see, he ended up with testicular cancer but at the grand old age of 17 was not going to have them off so was PTS. Not a mad decision he was never really "in" to females and even when a runaway hussy paraded herself in front of him he just looked slightly goofy and confused (think he was minus several sandwiches really!) before hiding behind me.

The JRT that humped my arm / leg / door / chair anything else he could get near from about 6 months old was another matter, that was done and pronto otherwise there was a risk of him becoming air borne on a permanent basis

Having had pedigrees and crossbreds both rescue and from puppies and a healthy dose of working dogs neutering generally makes for a happier time.

Breeding should be licensed and only when the animal is fit for purpose and an excellent example of their type and breed e.g. champion gun dog or agility or rare bloodline as a few examples.

littlemog · 19/08/2013 16:20

Sorry - that sounded horrible. I just feel so strongly about this.

I also think that breeders should be licensed very tightly controlled to prevent people thinking that their pet would love to have puppies (no she wouldn't) or that their dog is so lovely it would be a 'shame' not to breed from her (no it wouldn't).

As for puppy farming on an industrial scale so that people can buy a puppy from Gumtree or Preloved...words fail me.

littlemog · 19/08/2013 16:23

Both bitches and dogs are at lower risk of cancer if you get them neutered.

littlemog · 19/08/2013 16:26

denying them the experience of motherhood

Bangs head on wall.

I should really NOT be reading this thread. Angry

Burmobasher · 19/08/2013 16:47

Curlew I am very involved in dog rescue and its not dogs that have a problem with a lead and muzzle, it's humans. Some dogs have great recall and social skills and some don't. To suggest that the latter are better off dead is very irresponsible.

Every year in this country tens of thousands of animals are systematically rounded up and killed. What for? Because somebody wanted to make a few quid? Or these myths that bitches need a litter or a personality can be changed by neutering? Or any number of pathetic reasons that people have. I am sure lots of responsible owners will tell me their dog is fine but we have to legislate for the owners who don't take the same care.

I am all for breeding but the whole industry needs to be highly regulated. It's shocking that you can buy a puppy online with no backup if the homing doesn't go well. What happens to puppies who aren't cost effective or unwanted? I know and it is heartbreaking. Anybody who thinks differently might want to walk around the pound and look into the eyes of these poor creatures who had the misfortune of being born and will die unloved and unwanted.

Burmobasher · 19/08/2013 16:50

littlemog completely agree with everything you said. I probably shouldn't read this thread either but if makes one person think maybe its worth it?

BuffytheReasonableFeminist · 19/08/2013 17:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 19/08/2013 17:02

Both bitches and dogs are at lower risk of cancer if you get them neutered.

Can you tell me where you got that information from please?

Everything I've read so far has said the opposite, particularly if the dog was young.

LEMisdisappointed · 19/08/2013 17:05

On the fence with this one I have teo dogs one done the other not they are both the same in temperament jrts so straying issues.

LEMisdisappointed · 19/08/2013 17:11

You cant get cancer in an organ you dont have. I suppose that is the first response to that however other organs could be affected due to hormones etc. I was too pfd to get jrt1 done probably the wrong decision. I had two rotties before one from pup not castrated lovely soft teddy bear of dog no dog aggression issues lived to ripe old age. Rescue rottie castrated serious aggression issues although they were not due to that

LEMisdisappointed · 19/08/2013 17:12

Rescue rottie died young :(