Should I Neuter My Dog?

If you own a young male puppy, you have most likely been asked more than once, “When are you neutering him?” In today’s society the norm is to neuter your dog and as early as you can. Many rescues and shelters neuter puppies under six months of age. But maybe you have started to ask a different question: “Should I neuter my dog?”

Pros To Neutering a Dog

There are a lot of benefits to neutering a dog that is just going to be a pet, in addition to the obvious of not accidentally causing a litter of puppies. A lot of these are due to the lack of testosterone that is a result of a full neuter. These include:

· No risk of testicular cancer, which happens to be the second most common type of cancer in unaltered male dogs.

· Reduced risk of prostate problems including enlarged prostrate and prostate infections.

· Reduced risk of hormone-related diseases.

· Less likely to mark (urinate) all over, including in your home, at Bunnings, etc.

· Less likely to roam from home.

· Better temperament by reducing some types of aggression.

· Other dogs will be less likely to attack your dog. (Altered dogs often attack unaltered dogs because of the smell different).

· In general, neutered dogs tend to live longer.

Cons To Neutering a Dog

There are some cons to neutering dogs. These are things you should think about before decided to alter your dog. These include:

· A slower metabolism, which can result in weight gain if diet and exercise are not adjusted accordingly.

· May increase the risk of cancer in some breeds.

· Four times more likely to develop joint disorders.

· Doubles the chance of hip dysplasia.

Three of these four seem to occur only if the male dog is neutered too early. UC Davis in California has done research on golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers and the longitudinal affects of neutering before six months. They found an increased likelihood of joint disorders, hip dysplasia and cancer. They also found that the results were different between the breeds.

Another study published in the Veterinary Medicine and Science Journal found that in German shepherd dogs, neutering young tripled the chances of joint disorders.

What About Vasectomies for Dogs?

Vasectomies in dogs are not something that is done commonly. Australia-based VetWest Animal Hospitals explain that they really are only done under specific circumstances.

Pros to Vasectomies

· Vasectomies will keep unwanted breedings from happening.

· Your dog will keep his higher metabolism, so weight gain won’t be as big of an issue.

· You can still show your dog in conformation, as he will appear intact.

· It may be reversable, it’s been done at least once in 2005 by the St. Louis Zoo on a South American bush dog, so if you change your mind and want to breed, you may be able to do so later.

· You may or may not reduce the risk of cancer, joint or hip issues – there are not enough studies on vasectomies, especially longitudinal, to know.

Cons to Vasectomies

Your dog will still act like an unaltered male because they will still have testosterone. That includes:

· They will breed (tie-up) females if given the chance (he just can’t impregnate her).

· They will mark (urinate) everywhere.

· Roam to find females in heat.

· Get into more fights as other dogs can smell their hormones.

· Will most likely develop prostrate disease. VetWest says almost all unaltered dogs develop prostrate disease.

When Should I Neuter My Dog?

If you decide to neuter your dog, it’s best to wait until your dog has stopped growing. This means, it’s different depending on the size and breed of your dog. The American Animal Hospital Association suggest these guidelines:

· Less than 20 kg s at maturity: neuter at or after 6 months.

· Over 20 kg pounds at maturity: neuter at 9-15 months, depending on adult size of dog and its growth rate.

Since Vasectomies do not remove the testosterone, it should not affect growth and can be done at any age, with vet approval. The decision to neuter your dog can be a tough one. You need to make the best decision for you and your dog after weighting the pros and cons.