Long-Term Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay / Neuter in Dogs

[Janneke]

@lvoss:

This is not true. BYBs and puppymills are what produce the majority of the purebreds in rescue and shelters but the shelters are full of mutts that were born because the owners of the parents refused to get them spayed/neutered and did nothing to keep away from the opposite sex when in season. Many of these dogs are second, third or more generation mutt.

Here are the dogs that are currently homeless in my county
http://www.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?pet.Animal=Dog&pet.Breed=&pet.Age=&pet.Size=&pet.Sex=&location=95776

Ok, I didn't know. It was also a question, not a statement.

[Janneke]

@lvoss:

I am not saying every dog has to be neutered but owners should not feel bad if that is the choice they make.

No they shouldn't feel bad. And I think it's helping ppl not to feel bad when they can make a decision for their own. When they know the pros and cons. That's why I posted that article.

@lvoss:

You didn't end you sentence with it makes you itchy to talk about neutering for behavioral reasons you said that those owners should own stuffed pets. That is a very different tone.

Well.. tone is always a bit difficult on the internet..
And 'behavioral reasons' for me sounds like difficulties/problems. Tanza's words for me sounded like the normal changes in a bitch/dog during breeding season. And I do think that if somebody can't live with the normal behaviour of a dog.. they shouldn't get one.. I'm including barking.. peeing in the house when still a pup etc.. normal behaviour.. (that can still be quite annoying sometimes..)

[etzbseder]

Something that also makes a big difference, is that for some of you, English is not your first language. There are also much different terms used in the states than overseas, and differences is slang/local terms.

[tanza]

However, Janneke thing like barking and peeing are training issues and they are In my opinion totally different then having an intact dog or bitch. Again I think we will have to agree to disagree, but I do not believe there is any reason to leave a dog or bitch in-tact if you never have the intention of breeding them. To me you are setting yourself and the dog up for problems. Why would you want an intact dog that will never be used to go through the fustrations of having a bitch in sesaon either in the house or in the area? Many bitches have horrible mood swings when in season and many bitches think they are with whelp after a season, again I see no reason to put them through that when it is not necessary. As you have pointed out, each dog is different and you are lucky that your boy has no problems being in tact… however for the average pet owner, this is not the case, nor is it a pleasant experience many times.

And Lisa's statement about our pups being first and formost family companions is totally correct and in homes that is what the family wanted...

[JazzysMom]

@Janneke:

I don't understand why a responsible pet owner (not only breeders can be responsible.. pet owners can be as well) can't make the decision of letting their dogs unfixed, because it is not a problem to them..

I'm a pet owner as well.. so should Tillo be fixed? Why? He's not bothering anyone.. (and he's very attached to his balls.. (in more ways than one :eek: ) ;))

To ensure against an accidental breeding with an unknown bitch should he ever escape your home/yard.

For me the question is why NOT fix him if you don't plan to breed. That is the only way to ensure there's no litter produced accidentally. Esp. for the owner of a male dog,who could get out and impregnate an unknown bitch. You would not have a clue nor any say in the outcome - what happens to the puppies, etc.

Even the most responsible pet owner has the potential for a pet getting out the door, out of the car, under a fence, etc.

Not saying YOU should neuter him if you don't want to, I just don't understand the mindset for taking that risk.

[Janneke]

@etzbseder:

Something that also makes a big difference, is that for some of you, English is not your first language. There are also much different terms used in the states than overseas, and differences is slang/local terms.

Well.. that's very true.. talking and writing in English is one thing.. but trying to say exactly that what you want to say…... pff... very hard..
Maybe we should all try to speak Dutch ;)

What's also very very different is the 'public opinion' towards neutering in your and our country.. If you would discuss this subject on a Dutch forum.. well.. I wouldn't stand alone.. And I'm very mild in my opinion.. ;)

I think even 25 % of the Dutch dog forum visiters blames vet's for cutting in healthy animals and advising neutering that quickly.
I hope there will be a lot of research (good research) on this subject!

[tanza]

@Janneke:

Well.. that's very true.. talking and writing in English is one thing.. but trying to say exactly that what you want to say…... pff... very hard..
Maybe we should all try to speak Dutch ;)

What's also very very different is the 'public opinion' towards neutering in your and our country.. If you would discuss this subject on a Dutch forum.. well.. I wouldn't stand alone.. And I'm very mild in my opinion.. ;)

I think even 25 % of the Dutch dog forum visiters blames vet's for cutting in healthy animals and advising neutering that quickly.
I hope there will be a lot of research (good research) on this subject!

Exactly Janneke… there is a big cultural difference in Europe compared to the US regarding Spay/Neuter... both sides have good and bad points. But in the US we certainly encourage spay/neuter for a number of reasons and consider it the responsible thing to do for our pets and I can tell you that all the responsible breeders in the US require spay/neuter in all of our puppy sale contracts, which I am sure that not the case on your side of the "pond".

By the way, I think that your english writing is excellent

[tanza]

By the way, Janneke, I think that your english (writing) is excellent

[Janneke]

@tanza:

By the way, Janneke, I think that your english (writing) is excellent

Thank you very much. I'm always thinking about wether or not to respond, because when someone reacts to me I want to be able to react in a normal (readable and understandable) way ;)

But yes, things are different here. No puppy contracts with the words spaying/neutering in them.. (they aren't even binding here without a lawyer etc involved..)

[lvoss]

Janneke, I also think you english writing is excellent. Better than many of my native speaking high school students.

I also think most here also agree that spay/neutering is best done after a dog has finished growing but disagree about keeping them intact indefinitely.