Intact vs. Neutered?

[Liesje]

Originally Posted by N Smith

Freestep can you clarify this statement?

Do you mean easier for a professional groomer to groom? Or easier for an owner to groom?

I'm guessing because their are no testicles, so easier for both? I have a long coated, THICK coated mixed dog that is neutered and thank heavens because when I do his sani-trim I am literally just poking my scissors into gobs of fur and cutting (once I get the majority of the hair off, then I clean it up and brush). There's no way I could trim him the same way if he were not neutered. I would have castrated him the first time!

[Courtney]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

Male intact seniors are prone to testicular cancers, perianal adenomas and prolapses, and they'll have enlarged anus as well.
It's difficult to cut out a perianal adenoma without losing muscle tone in that area, and of the intact senior dogs we've rescued, almost every single one (male or female) has had to be euthanized due to the high likelihood of some of these issues being malignancies. Even if we could have done surgery to prolong their life a little while, adopters aren't exactly looking for cancer ridden dogs.

Do you see one intact male breed over another affected more?

[msvette2u]

No, the ones we've had were, as best I can remember, a Border collie, Golden Retriever, a Golden lab, a Pointer, a Min Pin and some Chihuahuas; there's been a few others but every time we've had an intact senior, and I'm guessing, 10-12yrs., they've had reproductive tract (or mammary) cancers.
That's not to say spayed/neutered seniors are more 'healthy' per se, but they don't have reproductive tract cancers and their issues were less "severe" if you will, well, less life-threatening. I mean...fixable issues (not malignancies).

The biggest issue with altered seniors is either cardiac, skeletal or dental, and I'm guessing dental issues can lead to the other issues.
My (spayed) Libs is going on 11yrs. this spring; I've kept her teeth very clean, and she has no skeletal issues or heart issues

Let's just put it this way...any more, when we are asked to take seniors, it's not "do they have bad teeth", it's "are they altered".

[martemchik]

Depends on what you want to do with your dog...

Mines not neutered...I used to love going to dog parks...we go less and less now because I can't trust other males not to react to him (be it neutered or intact). Mostly other intact males, and just dogs with questionable temperaments seem to take issue with other males that are intact. So I don't trust the off-leash environment because if another male tries to dominate my dog or reacts to him, my dog will not take it lying down and then the big bad shepherd becomes the bad guy.

A small minority of dogs at my GSD club are neutered. We have plenty that don't like other males, gets annoying because their owners want the same rights as those of us with friendly males. They like to tell US to get away from their dogs even though THEIR dogs are the problem.

So although some people will tell you that you will have more problems with neutered males...I've seen that intact males are the bigger issue. I'm also not one to neuter my dog just because other dogs react to him...so he'll never be neutered. I've just adjusted my visits and instead of going to the dog park we go to a regular county park where there are much less dogs and due to me having off lead control I can be relaxed there.

[hunterisgreat]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

Although I don't work my dog in Schutzhund, I'd like to add that as males get older there's many health issues they may come across while intact; we've seen many here in rescue.

Male intact seniors are prone to testicular cancers, perianal adenomas and prolapses, and they'll have enlarged anus as well.
It's difficult to cut out a perianal adenoma without losing muscle tone in that area, and of the intact senior dogs we've rescued, almost every single one (male or female) has had to be euthanized due to the high likelihood of some of these issues being malignancies. Even if we could have done surgery to prolong their life a little while, adopters aren't exactly looking for cancer ridden dogs.

On the flip side, incidence of prostate and bone cancer rise dramatically upon neutering. Current cutting edge science says don't neuter unless there is a medical/pop control need... Prostate & bone cancers are death sentences. Testicular cancer is easily dealt with when caught early, and easy to catch early.

[msvette2u]

hunter, I'm not here to debate s/n.
I'm giving my experiences, and my experience has been, I've not seen any bone cancers, or prostate cancers. I've been at the vet clinic when dogs had issues with prostate and were still intact, in some cases fighting for their lives and losing, and I've seen more than my share of reproductive tract cancers.

Many folks seem to feel there's nothing wrong with leaving animals intact into their golden years, and I really feel it's irresponsible (of me anyway) to just say "go for it" without adding my experiences.

[N Smith]

Originally Posted by Liesje

I'm guessing because their are no testicles, so easier for both? I have a long coated, THICK coated mixed dog that is neutered and thank heavens because when I do his sani-trim I am literally just poking my scissors into gobs of fur and cutting (once I get the majority of the hair off, then I clean it up and brush). There's no way I could trim him the same way if he were not neutered. I would have castrated him the first time!

All of my males have stock coats (Husky, GS and Chi/Pom mix), and I have never had a problem grooming them intact or not, so I just thought it was a wierd statement.

Then I thought, maybe for professional groomers? But then show dogs are always intact, and there doesn't seem to be any issues there. And for my personal dog, he did all his health testing with no sedation, so he would definitely accept a groomer handling. But maybe most intact dogs don't behave at the groomers??

Really I just like grooming my own dogs and I don't find it harder to groom my intact GS vs my other two who were neutered (Husky 6mo, Chi/Pom 2 years)....

So, yeah sorry to go off track - just thought it was a wierd statement LOL

[Liesje]

I could be way off, but that's what came to mind. However I'm talking about trimming these 8 inches of butt fluff, not a stock coated GSD (my GSDs never go to the groomer, just normal bathing and brushing).

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by N Smith

Then I thought, maybe for professional groomers?

Freestep IS a professional groomer, so I would assume that's what she meant.

[sit,stay]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

No, the ones we've had were, as best I can remember, a Border collie, Golden Retriever, a Golden lab, a Pointer, a Min Pin and some Chihuahuas

Sorry, I know this is totally off topic...but I can't help myself, since this is a personal pet peeve. There is no such thing as a Golden Labrador Retriever. The breed comes in Black, Yellow or Chocolate. The Yellow color can be a pale yellow that is almost white, or it can be a much darker yellow that is golden (or even darker, almost red). But they are ALL Yellow Labrador Retrievers. Not Golden Labrador Retrievers.

Sorry! Carry on.
Sheilah