When Do You Spay/Neuter or Do You Not Spay/Neuter?

[lhczth]

Donovan will never be neutered unless at some point he developes a health issues that requires it (or he keeps me awake moaning, ). My girls I have generally done later in life. Some around 5 and some a bit later. I worry about Pyometritis so do them all eventually.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Originally Posted by RocketDog

The first I'd ever heard of waiting to neuter a male for growth reasons was when I joined here.

Someone should've told my GSD/Malamute mix who ended up at 29 1/2 inches and 120lbs that he wouldn't fill out since I neutered him at 5 months. :P

I have read that they keep on growing-many times taller than they should have been, but their masculine or feminine looks do not develop as sharply as they would have, had they not been neutered so young. Especially a breed like the GSD who have very defined female and male characteristics when they mature.

[ChancetheGSD]

Originally Posted by MustLoveGSDs

Man, my female husky marks trees and bushes outside like a male dog! I don't know why but seeing female dogs mark like males just agitates me, lol.

eta she is 5 years old and was spayed at around 8 months!

My female (Zoey) does the SAME thing and always has. She doesn't even have to be against a tree or bush, she'll co ck a leg when she pees in the middle of the yard. Zoey is also a humper. =x But she's never "marked" inside.

Eevee squats like a lady though.

I prefer NOT to spay/neuter unless I have to. Zoey was intact until she was 10, she got spayed because she got pyometra. Which doesn't happen in ALL intact cases so it hasn't put me off of my decision to keep Eevee intact. Zoey is 13.5 years old, happy, active, healthy and going very strong. I'm expecting plenty more years with my girl.

[spidermilk]

Dax isn't neutered and right now I have no reason to get him neutered. However, we plan on getting a second cat, and a second dog some time in the future and I would like them to be rescues. I think that I will have to neuter Dax to get a rescue? I would also really like to foster (before I get a second dog), when one of my roomies moves out, pretty sure I will have to neuter Dax.

[ChancetheGSD]

Originally Posted by spidermilk

Dax isn't neutered and right now I have no reason to get him neutered. However, we plan on getting a second cat, and a second dog some time in the future and I would like them to be rescues. I think that I will have to neuter Dax to get a rescue? I would also really like to foster (before I get a second dog), when one of my roomies moves out, pretty sure I will have to neuter Dax.

It will probably depend on the shelter. Most the ones who require you to be approved first require your current animals to be spayed/neutered. We went through animal control to get Chance and that was basically a "if you've got the money, you get the dog" situation. The girl asked a couple questions but it was pure curiosity of the worker who was showing us the dogs, nothing required to adopt one. We lied and said we had 1 dog at the time just because my mom didn't want to sound like a hoarder or anything LOL....We had 3. Chance was #4. 2 were intact and 1 neutered. But they never asked about that and we didn't have to do a home check to get him. (Pit Bulls were the only exception, those required home checks) Chance WAS neutered before he could come home though so I guess they figured he wouldn't be breeding anyways so it didn't matter.

Most places that do fostering tend to require the animals in your home be spayed/neutered as well though.

[Draugr]

Originally Posted by spidermilk

Dax isn't neutered and right now I have no reason to get him neutered. However, we plan on getting a second cat, and a second dog some time in the future and I would like them to be rescues. I think that I will have to neuter Dax to get a rescue? I would also really like to foster (before I get a second dog), when one of my roomies moves out, pretty sure I will have to neuter Dax.

It's still possible to foster with an intact pet, some organizations are quite willing to work with you. It helps to have been involved in the rescue/foster scene for awhile too so that you have some references.

You wouldn't be able to foster any intact dogs of the opposite sex, but as long as there is no pregnancy risk, some rescues will work with you. Just harder, and it takes more seraching to find a place that would work with you.

That's something I've been considering myself but neutering mine is an absolute firm no. I had some friends of mine who are very actively involved in various rescues ask about that, more than a few said, presuming you're a good fostering candidate, having an intact pet is not a huge obstacle. But it helps to have someone who can vouch for you. Because like it or not there is a stigma, having an intact pet, people think you are automatically irresponsible and contributing dozens of puppies a year to the "pet population problem." :eyeroll:

Some rescules though are too wrapped up in prejudices to ever give you a chance. They can't see beyond the stereotype. I know one person (I would say we are *barely* on speaking terms) who won't give even a glance at a foster application or an adoption application if intact pets are in the house, she basically is revolted. It's very, very sad. She cannot understand that "responsible ownership" and "speutered pets" are not interchangable terms.

Most I've heard about though, and the ones I do have friends involved with, they realize that people are individuals and are willing to give people an individual look.

[MustLoveGSDs]

I've fostered countless dogs(both unspayed and un-neutered) for GSD and Doberman rescue while having an intact male in the house. I'd send an email of interest expressing your intent and prove your responsibility, establish a relationship with the rescue board, that's what I've done and I've always been approved to foster.

[Pepper311]

I have read a lot seen a lot had my own dogs. Talked to many people. I am calling my vet this week to set up a spay. My dog is 6 months and female.

Very low chance of cancer in females when they are spayed before first heat.

For a male I think 8 month is a good age.

[RocketDog]

I don't think anyone mistook him for a female, lol, although he was extremely gentle: (and I'm just looking for an excuse to post a pic of him--he was an AWESOME dog)



This was him in about March--he was born in mid December (and me, 20 years ago, NO JOKES, please :P )

[overtgabby]

I like to spay/nueter before the hormones get raging.. at 4/5 months. If they are pets.. who cares how they look? Are you going to love them any less? Plus, my work at the shelter proved.. males nuetered after they get the breeding urge.. will Still go after bitches in heat, AND hook up.