Castration/neutering ???

[Rae]

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Dogs always have testicles.

Bitches are not always in season. Speying them maintains their 'normal' state.

I'd think harder about having a dog castrated than I would a bitch speyed.

Leia has been through far worse with her leg than when she was speyed.

We've got 2 entire females and 2 speyed females. When Tie & Holly are in season they do not get the freedom they are used to because of the mess, and the fact I won't let them off their leads, or even stay in the garden as we had customers dogs permently round the fence :b Holly had to be left behind when I would normally have taken her as she was in season and she wasn't happy!

What is worse? One op and then a (hopefully) normal life, or being confined and restricted two months of the year? I heard loads of people at the weekend saying their bitch wasnt fit as she'd just been in season etc, isnt fluctuating levels of fitness bad for the bitch too?

Star & Leia are the same every day - just because they are speyed does not mean that they are unhappy. They get approx 2 hours of free running every day, they sleep on the sofa, our bed, they get a natural diet and I'm at home with them every day. Would they have been happier if left entire?

As already said it's a personal choice - not just for the owners benefit, but for the dogs too. Just make sure that you are 100% happy with the vet that will be doing the op.

 

[ILoveKettleChips]

ONE week on holiday, ONE week, I ask you, and to come back to THIS argument again! :wacko: Jeez, I feel like Mary Poppins ... :- "

A few points:

All those who jump up and down shouting about 'my dog ... this' and 'my dog ... that' may as well save their breath, because neutering does not result in any guaranteed response - all dogs respond differently and while it's a great idea for some dogs it's a bad choice for others.

The obvious example is when a dominant dog is castrated to reduce arguments with more submissive dogs, resulting in a more level playing field and more severe fighting.

IMO if there's a risk of future uncontrolled breeding then this is more important than social hierarchy, and neutering (and if necessary rehoming) should be carried out. In the case of so many people, there is apparently NO risk of uncontrolled breeding on the part of their dogs, so I guess they're exempt. How people can guarantee that their gate will never be left open by the postman and their dog would never dream of sh*gging next door's mongrel bitch, I do not know, but there we go ... :- "

The points about early neutering obviously outrage the Brits who have no experience of it. I myself have no experience of it but I'm aware that recovery for any surgical procedure in puppies and kittens is far superior to the equivalent in their adult counterparts. I personally think there may be a lot to be said for carrying out elective procedures at young ages before pups are moved to strange surroundings, although that is not our practice policy. In general recovery from any neutering procedure is rapid and uneventful. I think that lynching GraysonIG as if they're solely responsible for the wrongdoings of all American puppy-farmers is a little out of line.

As for those holier than thou individuals who eschew neutering because their pets go to responsible homes who wouldn't 'farm' pups, I suggest they take a look at a very sad thread posted recently, about Beaker's poor lad Rolo. God forbid that should ever happen to any dog, but I wonder if those same voices would be shouting so loud now if it had happened to them.

 

[GraysonIG]

As for those holier than thou individuals who eschew neutering because their pets go to responsible homes who wouldn't 'farm' pups, I suggest they take a look at a very sad thread posted recently, about Beaker's poor lad Rolo.  God forbid that should ever happen to any dog, but I wonder if those same voices would be shouting so loud now if it had happened to them.

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Exactly, well pointed out. You can screen potential homes till you're blue in the face, but if someone wants something, and they are an excellent liar - you will not know till the paperwork is signed and the dog is out of your control. Remember, a contract is only as good as the people who sign it, a dog is considered property and once that property has been sold, you can not control what happens to it.

Kasia

 

[BeeJay]

my mums dog was done at around four years old - he was a bit crazy anyway, the vet suggested neutering would be the answer to his problems - unfortunately now he's even more confused and aggressive   and over weight. don't know if its just a coincidence but neutering is a big regret for my ma.

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Please read and digest all you people who have bits `cut off and out ` of your dogs !!! .

9 times out of 10 it dosnt make nasty dogs calm and as far as im concerned who are you doing it for ??? , Its certainly not in the dogs best interest , but weve gone over this ground a thousand times before havnt we (w00t) Some of us are against it and some of you are for it . Guess which side of the fence Im on :- "

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Jax asks who are you doing it for. Could the answer be the vets wallet/purse? They certainly will benefit from the op being carried out. The dog and it's owner might or might not.

Interestingly on a dogrescue list that I'm on - only people rescuing or rehabbing dogs are on it so it's a good place to learn what's happening at the sharp end of dog matters - dog aggressive dogs were being discussed. Castration obviously came up. Interesting the stories of dogs becoming dog aggressive AFTER being castrated. Most of the very experienced dog folk on there weren't in favour of it just being done to all dogs. Theories change people move on. Though John Fisher pointed out the problem of fear aggressive dogs becoming worse after being castrated years ago. :- "

Me I'm sitting in the middle of the fence. I don't have my dogs castrated. I wouldn't rule out having them castrated if I thought that it was the right thing to do for them. Have been wondering about having the older ones done because of the risk of testicular cancer - but then I have to think of the pack balance. Which is important to me as I don't rehome my dogs. I love my dogs they are not simply commodities that I could easily rehome if they didn't suit me anymore.

I lived with two spayed warring bitches for years. It's not a pleasant situation to be in. Edited to add that the bitches weren't fighting all of the time just that when they did decide that one had put a foot wrong they inflicted some very nasty throat injuries on each other. Very fast to attack, very little warning and very purposeful.

The risk of my dogs getting out and mating with a fertile bitch is very, very low. My postman puts my mail into a box at the bottom of my garden. No reason for anyone other than a burglar to open any of the gates. I am NOT having my dogs castrated in case of a burglar.

 

[stephen mason]

Just to put my spoke in. We have only had 2 whippet bitches and 1 pug bitch operated on and only for urgent health reasons. Enjoyed Dawn`s and Jax`s humour, Stephen

 

[TC]

  I am NOT having my dogs castrated in case of a burglar.

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Sorry, I understand your seriousness, but PMSL :- "

 

[BeeJay]

  I am NOT having my dogs castrated in case of a burglar.

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Sorry, I understand your seriousness, but PMSL :- "

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I agree Tracy. :thumbsup:

 

[Seraphina]

I myself have one male who is 4 years old and is a raging hormone case, he will be getting the snip shortly and I know within 2-4 months he will settle, all my others that have been altered have settled.

Kasia

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Do not hold your breath, it may just be his temperament and he may never settle. I have never castrated a male, they were used at stud and i NEVER had any problems with them. They were quite settled by the time they were mature (18 months -2years) and were all pleasure to live with. They lived to ripe old age.

Lida