To neuter or not to neuter? That is the question.

[DICarter1]

Our wee boy is a small poodle. He’s nearly 16 months and we are wondering whether or not to get him neutered. Our vet suggested quite a few months back to get him done.

He has changed... he always was a lazy slop but fit and agile. Now he is getting fat is incredibly greedy and still a lazy slop! He seems more needy as well. Things that are supposed to be better are not - he still not keen on other male dogs, still sniffing the girls & hoping to get lucky and still marking everything that is vertical. It might just be my boys personality, as every dog is different. But I quite simply wouldn't nuter a boy again unless ther is a serious medical need for it.

My golden retriever has the implant annually and I will stop with it when he is about 10 (or whenever joint problems start) to give him testosterone in old age. Not sure if small breed have the same joint issues. There is no right answer here. I do think spaying a bitch is probably healthier for the animal (mammary cancers en pyometra) than neutering a dog. Happy to be corrected though!

if he's off lead and smells a bitch in heat, you stand no chance

For some dogs yes, but I've trained, handled, had, intact dogs with whom you had every chance, including a couple who would not 'mount until given the cue to. On balance, it's felt like about 50/50 between dogs who would bolt before you could stop them and those that wouldn't.

Not every dog is the same and one answer is rarely right for every dog.

Also, if you are worried that he may have a personality change eg an already anxious dog, you can always do a trial with the implant and see how he gets on without testosterone.

You could try the implant first; it would give you an idea whether his personality would be impacted if he has the op. I think there are longer & short term versions

Not every dog is the same and one answer is rarely right for every dog.

OP has said her dog has poor recall as it is - add in a bitch in heat and it's highly likely he won't come back!

Of course you neuter - I cant see any good reason not to if you are a responsible owner 🤦‍♀️

Johnwayne that is just a ridiculous statement. I am a VERY responsible dog owner. The health of my dog is paramount.

The OP said her dog tends to be on a lead as a result of poor recall. In which case, running off isn't an option.

Maybe 'tends to be' means sometimes but sometimes not on lead = the risk is greater.

Maybe 'tends to be' means always on lead in public spaces but not in secure spaces = the risk is less

Plus, the dog is just 16 months old and so may stll be a teenage bugger whose recall will improve greatly with age. Or maybe not. Maybe it'll always have poor recall. That's why I don't think you can have a single blanket rule that says the OP is "highly irresponsible" if they choose not to neuter.

i think it should only be done if needed medically or if its causing problems socially. we had to get ours done as he couldnt go into daycare without it,however he has packed on weight and is on a permanent diet. it also has ruined his coat and hes now fluffy and easily matted when hes meant to be wirey. we did wait until he was 2 and fully grown and mentally mature too, as didnt want it impacting him more negatively.

We got told not to by breeder (show breeder) as it spoils their coat and she said they needed testosterone to develop properly.

The vet also said that he was such a gentle dog that he might need the “vim” that not being castrated gives apparently!

In the end he started humping lots and was starting to mark a little so we had him “done” at about six months. No ill effects and he is a happy little dog. I don’t worry when he is at the park that he will run away chasing a bitch in season.

I have not regretted it.

My dog remains intact - hence the username - and it's actually pretty easy to put a bit of effort in to make sure he doesn't father puppies.

Sometimes I think about wandering over the the Litter Tray to see if cat owners are as much "it's my way or you're an idiot" as people here can be.

Plenty of show and sport dogs are not neutered without accidental reproduction taking place.

OP, all you can do is be honest with yourself about your ability and willingness to control your dog to prevent accidental pups. No judgement, just honesty.

If you think you might mess up every now and again then neutering might be better. If you tend to be a bit more strict then you could choose manual controls over a surgical one.

@TheSpanielsBalls

With cats, it really is 'my way or you're an idiot'. There is absolutely no reason, no detriment to growth, no medical reason NOT to neuter a cat. Even in 2020, it surprises me how backwards and ignorant many 'owners' are about desexing their cat. 2lbs/2 months (balls appearing with the boys) - the can and should be done.

I wouldn’t neuter automatically. I would want the dog to mature first. If it’s nervous at all then I would be hesitant.

Totally agree with this.

@Shmithecat2 Interesting! Cats are not my Mastermind subject

My comment was more of a general one - I think sometimes posters think their own specific way of taking care of a dog must be the right one and anyone who doesn't do things that way is dismissed, rather than the pros and cons debated respectfully or acknowledgement that what works for one dog may not be right for another.

@Perch not for all dogs. I have a giant breed and the advice is not to spay if you can avoid It. They’re prone to bone cancer and spaying increases the risks.

There really isn't a one size fits all approach when it comes to dogs, there are so many different variables which can affect when (or if) it's best to neuter.

The SkeptVet has written some really good blog posts analysing the evidence we currently have with regards to the pros and cons of neutering which are well worth reading. This is the latest one but it's worth going back through the others as well.

I know this isn't relevant for the OP's dog but I would be reluctant to automatically neuter a dog breed that had an increased risk of some cancers to start with, because neutering would appear to increase those risks futher.

As with @wolfiefan, all the giant breeds are included in that as well as a few of the large breeds.

Interesting reading @SutterCane

I’m going to neuter because my dog humps other male dogs and can sometimes be a bit growly with them. And because I’m fed up of little tiny semen marks on my sofa!

But I’ve waiting until he’s 18months as he’s a dachshund and I wanted to give him as much testosterone as possible to help his bones.

How do you go about organising the chemical implant instead @Perch ? You’ve got me thinking that when he’s an old man he might benefit from a bit of testosterone!

Thanks Ruby. I didn’t know what breeds were affected!
I don’t think the effect on behaviour is as simple as some people make out for male dogs. That’s not to say no male dogs should be neutered. But I wouldn’t do it automatically.

That article was interesting. Thanks for sharing @SutterCane

I think sometimes posters think their own specific way of taking care of a dog must be the right one and anyone who doesn't do things that way is dismissed

I am actually heartened by how many people on here see the pros and cons and have considered how they apply to their dog before deciding on whether to neuter or spay.

I'm sorry but I do think it's 'black and white'. Around where I am few people neuter their dogs and are then surprised when females get accidentally pregnant, and litters are never terminated. I get waiting for dogs to fully mature first, but never neutering is not ok if you have no intention to breed. Just look at the amount of unwanted dogs in rehoming centres.