To be honest, I am not quite convinced this is true. I think it's hype for us to get the dogs neutered. Bitches supposedly also get tumours if not spayed. In Portugal neutering is a big thing for the last couple of years, there are a thousand reasons they tell us to get it done, all seem fine: - Bring breeding down, hence lessen the dog/cat population, so less animals in shelters - Male dogs wont mark - Bitches wont have period dropping all over the house - Male dogs will behave better, be calmer and wont run away from home to go meet bitches on heat - Health reasons (the supposed tumours) Basically, and all in all, I think they want the dog population down, which is a good thing in general and as rule of thumb, but case by case we owners should be able to decide based on our own choice and not be forced (without proven results) into something that isnt really necessary or does the dog no good. A dog is a dog and his character is not to be changed by me, by putting him through the suffering of an uneeded surgery, unless for health reasons (that are not proved and as said, I am suspicious of). That said, too many animals abandoned or in shelters is a human problem and not one brought on by the dogs. Same here, and no tumours either.
Zaba is nearly five and intact - he’s absolutely fine and never humps. Tatze tries to hump him ‘tho All Guide Dog pups are neutered, females three months after their first season, males at nine months old. Keir is booked in for his op on the 20th February. .
Yes, Karen, this nicely sums up how I feel about it, never convinced enough to go down that route, prticularly with the health risks taken into consideration.
The guide dogs, would this be for behaviour purpose Boogie ? Which I would understand. They are work dogs with a specific purpose afterall.
I really don’t know. For the females it’s for health reasons and owners can’t be keeping a bitch in season indoors for three weeks. But for the males I have no idea. I will ask .
My vet wont neuter males unless there is an issue with sexualised behaviour. Harry (Newfie) went to the grave age 13 intact..we never had a problem with him. Jasper (Malamute) was castrated age 9 when we got Meg and he just would not leave her alone. We manage intact dogs here by never leaving them unsupervised. I guess its different rules/laws though in different countries. Its not been an issue here in the Yorkshire Dales ..
I imagine it's a variety of factors. You couldn't expect a visually impaired person to notice the signs of a bitch in season when their boy is free running. I also imagine that GD are very protective of their breeding programme and wouldn't want a rogue litter that someone arranged behind the scenes and was sold off as half GD.
Also, there's no denying that male dogs' attention can wander when there's a bitch in season around! Not what you want from a guide dog, supposed to be helping his owner cross the road and his attention is diverted by the delightful scent of a flirty little poodle or whatever...
Oban is intact. He is ten years old and has NEVER humped anything other than his Poppa Bear. There was a kennel of GR upwind of us and he did not go crazy trying to get to the girls when their scent wafted toward us. However I do not leave any dog outside unattended for more than it takes them to pee and poop, neutered or not. Every male dog I found roaming was neutered, it is not just a matter of testosterone. We are in a rural area and it is safe for me to walk him off leash. We have, in 10 years, met two stupid owners with their in-season girl off leash and once I had to leash Oban and take him home. ONce. There have been scuffles with other intact males, none serious. Worse, and unexpected, was the reaction from a few neutered males and those encounters have been more serious and once resulted in injury to Oban. If I had to use dog parks and lived in an urban area I would be more likely to neuter. @Beezette I am not sure what @CMartin meant but it is normal for one testicle to be a bit larger than the other. Just like human men and women's breasts. Yes, check them regularly. Of course they come off (in dogs, LOL) if there is a problem but a bit of difference in size does not mean neuter and is not a predictor of testicular tumour. A change in size warrants investigation.
Testicles are usually not the same size - dog or human. Asymmetry is not an indicator of disease. Yes to regular checking, because changes can indicate a problem. So if one suddenly grows bigger, then definitely need a vet visit.
From what they said I think it had changed and became much bigger than previously and the dog was uncomfortable
Our local government requires neutering unless we can show that we are keeping the dog for breeding. We have to sign papers indicating this is the case. Our breeder recommends 10-12 months.
No, not what you are saying @Beezete, that I do believe..but I do not believe it to be true that that dog or other dogs that are not neutered fall ill without doubt. They can fall ill, have bigger or smaller testicles, have tumours, but it is not a proven fact (medical) that it is related to having been neutered or not.
Where is this Bettie ? In Portugal they recommend at 6 months. I think it's awful. I also think - and maybe unkindly so - that it may be economy related. Who knows (where this is coming from and who is behind it/sponsoring it)... I am sorry if I sound cynical. I may think differently if I see any good (proven good) in the neutering measure but I have not yet come across that.
Sounds very reasonable to me. I do not favour a vet who would insist that I neuter my dog, I think I would lose trust to the point of not like going to that vet.
I have to say that after the age of about 5 our neutered male did react with warning growls to any entire male that came to sniff him. He was the biggest softie with all and any other type of dog. He was never actively aggressive towards them but left them in no doubt that they were unwelcome. I used to think that he felt threatened by their testosterone. I have never heard of chemical castration in the UK and have yet to speak to the vet about neutering. Is it a thing here?
My daughter's rescue puppy (in the US) was neutered at 10 weeks, shortly before they got him... Quite normal there, but if she'd had a choice she'd have left him intact. He seems happy and healthy though, I have to say!
The Oregon Humane Society requires that rescues be neutered by the person receiving them. It is part of the contract. They also will not supply papers for any dog, even if it is AKC registered, so there would be much less incentive to breed the dog. Personally I would never purchase a pup or dog that did not have papers, though I might (and have) pay an adoption fee.
