To Neuter or Not?

Cbeavers · 02-20-2008, 09:06 AM

How bad do the boys get? I have a 12 week old puppy and am curious to know just how bad he may get if we do not neuter him. My husband and I do not really want to neuter him but I would like some opinions. My mother has a rat terrier who has MANY girlfriends but he is only bad when left outside unattended. What do I have to look forward to?

GunnersMum · 02-20-2008, 09:18 AM

I'm not sure what you mean by "bad".

An unneutered, untrained dog has many possible issues, male aggression is at the top of the list. Marking territory -sometimes inside as well as out. Challenging for authority. Not to mention wandering when they scent a female in heat. Humping blankets and people. Plus males have a higher risk of developing some cancers.

Cbeavers · 02-20-2008, 10:22 AM

I have faith that we can train him well. He will never be outside without supervision, since we live close to a highway. I grew up around horses. So I know how they act when they are studs but the only boy dog I have had is Randy the rat terrier. He is fairly easy to control since he is so small. I never let him start humping things so that never became a problem. I am just worried since Ozzy will be so much bigger, how much more I will have to handle. Not to mention, if he marks in the house how much more pee pee Oz will have verses Randy. Thanks

**Lexus** · 02-20-2008, 10:29 AM

I'm not really sure why you'd want to keep him unneutered, are you planning on him being a breeding dog? It has many health benefits, including decreasing the chance of prostate cancer. Cancer is fairly prevalent in dobermans, so it's something that if you can decrease the risk if it, go for it. In addition, he will always have "those" urges, and have to be denied them.

CandyB21 · 02-20-2008, 10:36 AM

I have always neutered all my males (dogs and cats) and spayed all my females. Unless they will be used for breeding I see no good reason to leave them in tact.

**Megs** · 02-20-2008, 10:37 AM

I've got a pretty firm opinion on this... if you're not showing/titling (and therefore, really should not be breeding), I think the responsible thing to do is have your male altered.

An exception may be if your vet feels that he is at some kind of risk of going under (I've heard of this happening, say in the case the dog is anemic or something - that surgery should only be performed if absolutely necessary).

Otherwise, I think we, as responsible dog owners owe it to our pets (and the 5 million cats and dogs euthanized in shelters yearly in the US) to spay and neuter if there is no intention to produce puppies.

katekev04 · 02-20-2008, 10:38 AM

My Red Dobe Teddy is not neutered and is two and a half years old. I do not believe you have to neuter if your a responsible pet owner. My vet and I were debating the issue since he's all for it. But in reality there were studies done that show males that are neutered have a greater risk of cancer then intact ones. Testicular cancer is a risk but dogs have responded well with surgery if that occurs. People also believe that neutering a dog will prevent prostate cancer which is not the case. Recent studies have shown that an upset ballance in testosterone and estrogen could be a cause. (getting older, falling test levels and estrogen levels stay the same) Because my dog has wobblers I did not want him neutered due to the fact that he needed to fully develop muscular wise. Some vets and breeders say that two years is enough to fully develop a dog but I'm still trying to find some data on that. I really don't mind Teddy smelling every tree or fire hydrant and drooling while chatting his teeth. As for a male-I really wouldn't want mine cut off, buts that just my "two-cents".

GunnersMum · 02-20-2008, 10:46 AM

I don't mean to say that these issues will only arrise with an untrained dog. Each intact male has varying degrees of dominance and the issues that go along with it. Unless you plan to breed him - and do all the health testing that goes along with it - I would have him neutered. I don't mean to sound rude here but especially if your only other experience is with a toy breed.

**Megs** · 02-20-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katekev04

My Red Dobe Teddy is not neutered and is two and a half years old. I do not believe you have to neuter if your a responsible pet owner. My vet and I were debating the issue since he's all for it. But in reality there were studies done that show males that are neutered have a greater risk of cancer then intact ones.

I believe those studies were based on "early" neutering, before a dog reaches "puberty," and is still developing.

And sadly, the reality is, too many of us are NOT responsible pet owners. They don't euthanize 5 million animals a year for shits and giggles.

**dobermansrule** · 02-20-2008, 11:02 AM

we are leaving our dog (16 months old) intact while we show/title him with intent to breed down the road. We'll see. If that doesn't happen, then we will neuter him. So far, despite all the warnings, we have had zero issues from this intact male dog. He is an angel - knock on wood. We chalk it up to good parenting - I guess. otherwise, he is a very typical doberman. The only gripe is he is going through what we think is a picky eating young male thing - we are having to tough love him through this stage to learn to eat.