Should people neuter/spay their dogs?

[brembo]

If I had a male from a good breeder that had potential as a stud down the road I'd likely keep him intact. Same story for a female, but it would not really be my decision, I'd defer to the breeder on that matter. I have no business doing my own breeding, not enough knowledge in that arena. Also, when I say good breeder I mean someone that knows what they are doing, does it right and is in the biz for the love of the breed above monetary gain.

Since I'm a rescue type fella, I just get the bits removed to make life easier all around. I might treat myself to a high-end PB from a breeder someday, and I'll make that call at the time as the situation warrants.

[martemchik]

I'm like the other people on here, I haven't neutered and was planning on doing it at 2 years old. But we haven't had any issues, he listens really well, and he shows no aggression due to having extra testosterone. I love his work ethic, I can keep him in check, so I don't think he'll be getting neutered at all.

Now the next one in a few years will be a female and will be spayed as soon as she's out of her first heat...unless I start doing conformation. But most likely won't and she'll get spayed so I don't have to deal with keeping the two apart and heat schedules.

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by Gwenhwyfair

This is a good article written by a vet on this topic:

Canine Sports Productions: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete

Actually that is not that good of article and many of the "issues" were overstated and overblown.

http://www.columbusdogconnection.com...ebuttal%20.pdf

This gives a very good rebuttal to that K9 sports page.

[RocketDog]

Rocket will get neutered because both of his testicles are retained, and as far as I know, his risk of (testicular?) cancer is higher then if he didn't get neutered? But, it won't be for awhile. He's fine. No aggression, minimal marking, never out of my sight. If it weren't for that, he would likely not be neutered.

[msvette2u]

We'll neuter Ruger one of these days. He's not showing any butt-headedness that often goes with adolescence so he's still got his.
But before 2yrs. probably.

[Gwenhwyfair]

Oh geez..... just when I think I'm making the right decision.

You can't even trust literature written by a Veterinarian with cited studies?

Originally Posted by msvette2u

Actually that is not that good of article and many of the "issues" were overstated and overblown.

http://www.columbusdogconnection.com...ebuttal%20.pdf

This gives a very good rebuttal to that K9 sports page.

[msvette2u]

I'd go straight to the source and not rely on a biased individual to interpret the findings.

[Gwenhwyfair]

Yeah, but who is biased here? I can try to find the cited studies and read them but I've not got the D.V.M. after my name.

This is why I never take a some bloggers 'word' on something like this. I verify the source as to the individual's professional status and ability to interpret medical data.

If the article you linked to is correct then the author of the first should be ashamed....because I read your link and it's not just about being 'overblown' it's down right misleading.

(btw there's something similiar going on with vitamin c and it's affect on osteoarthritis in dogs..conflicting opinions amongst vets and Veterinary colleges....)

Originally Posted by msvette2u

I'd go straight to the source and not rely on a biased individual to interpret the findings.

[rshkr]

i know this is old, but daym!

if i knew females would mess the house and leave tracks of blood, i wouldve gotten a male...