[Konotashi]

I was going to have Ozzy neutered between 18 months and 2 years. But in a few of the posts I've read lately, I was wondering if I really knew about all of the negatives of neutering I thought I did. I did do a lot of research and read anti-speuter material, but I still feel like I'd be doing it without really knowing all of the negatives. Like two things I've learned just in a few of the posts I've read is that it increases the risk of other cancers and can lower coat quality. (Someone said it made their long coated dog's fur a nightmare after neutering).

Everything I read was in the form of articles, long, dragged out things that explains each and every thing about it, etc. etc.

Is there just a list somewhere of all of the positives and negatives (maybe not all, but close to) of spaying/neutering? Not where it explains every detail of that point, but just what it is.

Kind of like this.

Pros to spaying:
No heat cycles
Don't have to worry about accidental litters
Decreases risk of mammary cancer

Cons to neutering:
Can make dogs look more feminine.
Increased risk of cancer.
Etc, etc.

And that's the problem. There's so much pro-speuter material, it's hard to find the NEGATIVES to speuter.

But is there a list or something of the pros and cons of altering your dog? If I want to know what something on the list is, I'll look it up or search it on here, because speuter is a topic that's on here all the time and I'm sure there'd be a thread discussing it.

 

[Jessiewessie99]

I thought little dogs matured faster than big dogs?

 

[Konotashi]

I'm looking for something like this, but less biased. Only negatives mentioned are messy heat cycles and weight gain, among other things that don't affect the dog any.

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/health/articles/spaying-or-neutering-your-dog.html

I thought little dogs matured faster than big dogs?

I read in some places that they do, some that they don't. I figured I'd play it safe and just have it done if he doesn't.

 

[Jessiewessie99]

I looked up the effects of neutering and come up with biased articles, articles that have really dumb reasons not actual facts, or ones about cats.

I just want to read both sides. At my school's website they had something where they present both sides of an issue, I don't think they have against spaying/neutering.

I suggest asking DJ or Elizabeth what they read.

 

[Jessiewessie99]

I think it also depends on the breed too, so I would look into that. Meaning little dogs.lol

 

[Konotashi]

I just want to do what's best for Ozzy. I'm against breeding, but that doesn't mean he's gotta be fixed. I just won't breed him.

If keeping him intact is better for him, based on what I find (everything I find seems biased toward speuter), then I'll keep him intact. If not, I'll have him neutered.

 

[Lucy Dog]

Is there scientific research that links neutering to an increased risk to cancer? I actually thought it was the complete opposite.

Same question with the increased chance for a male dog not to look as masculine? That seems possible since you're basically cutting off his hormone makers, but at what age are you referring to? If you neuter a fully grown dog, I really don't think a male adult dog is suddenly going to look more feminine. I mean, he'll be grown.

For your typical pet, there are so many more pros to neutering your animal than keeping him intact. You can and probably should wait until he's fully grown, but once that happens, make the right decision. I know you have a small dog, so I'm not sure if the same rules apply and how long it takes for a small dog to be physically fully mature.

There are way too many oops litters that should never happen. You can be the most responsible owner in the world, but as long you've got those "puppy makers" theres always that possibility of an oops litter happening. Just get them snipped when the time is right.

If he's not a breeding prospect, why does he even need them? Is his health your only concern?

 

[Jessiewessie99]

Do whats best for you both and makes you feel safer about your dog. Ozzy is still awesome!lol

 

[LisaT]

A couple of links for you here:
Spay/Neuter - GermanShepherdHome.net

 

[LisaT]

Is there scientific research that links neutering to an increased risk to cancer? I actually thought it was the complete opposite.

Yes, neutering can increase the risk for some cancers.