Very interesting article about neutering, it seems we shouldn't be doing it

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Here from The Labrador Site

It says that there is more evidence to suggest that neutering and spaying is in fact bad for a dogs health and is more likely to lead to worse behaviour.

We had our old spaniel neutered at three as he began to show signs of aggression towards me when I was pregnant. Afterwards his behaviour improved and he was back to normal but his coat grew thick and coarse and we struggled with his weight. He died last year at the age of eleven of a liver tumour. He was about the average age for a working cocker but the latest studies on neutering suggest that it increases the risk of cancer. Bit late to worry about it now but did we increase his risk?

Monty, our new lab boy, is only five months old but I had assumed that when he got to about two years we'd think about having him done. Purely because of the previous assumptions about improving his health, reducing any behavioural problems, etc. Reading the article though makes me wonder why, if he's not showing any behavioural problems at the time, would I bother? Do people still do it because of widely held beliefs or do they actually bother to read up on it first?

I guess I wait and see nearer the time and do a bit more research but it's certainly food for thought.

Yep it's definitely a reaction to the anaesthetic as he was exactly the same a few weeks ago when he had to go under to have his paw wound cleaned out

Bally - I hope he's back home recovering

when my dog was neutered he was 4 years old and it made all the difference to his often erratic, neurotic behaviour (he was a rescue dog in the sense that I rescued him from a bad situation). I have since heard that it is better to leave the 'neutering' until the dog is out of the puppy stage as they settle down much quicker, Not sure if that is true
re weight - he is a lurcher and still built 'like a whippet' with not an ounce of spare fat at 11 years old but I know that labs and similar dogs can put on weight after enutering.

He is home looking very sorry and sad. He is looking at me like I am the worse traitor in the world. He is not loving the collar but I am sure he will get use to it.

Mollie through all my research I have met with very mixed reports in general. Info differs depending on country, on professional, what breed/size of dog....etc etc... Its hard to know what research to believe.

We have decided to spay out 9th old lab. We'll probably do it when she's around 12 months old. She's just finished her first season and to exclude her from her usual social circle, and deny her her off lead walks at her favourite park for so long is unfair on her.

It's a tough balancing act.

Our old boy was castrated and I'm pretty sure I'd have any future dog neutered as well. I'd feel very irresponsible if I didn't do so, I think. There are enough unwanted puppies around and the entire males we meet on our walks are very often the more aggressive.