Considering doberman males are over represented in terms of frequency of prostate problems, I think neutering accomplishes more than just the prevention of breeding.

 

my reply in the other thread:

Neither of those procedures are 100% effective. Consider there is also a social aspect to this, as having an intact animal (whether he can actually reproduce or not) says something totally different to the public than one who is altered. There are too many "ifs" with procedures like that... something rescues really don't have the time to deal with when the most effective solution to this "problem" is also the easiest one.

 

I did not realize thatthey were not 100% as far as the social point i don't judge people on whether thier dog is fixed or not, I judge them on their and their dogs behavior. I have met many many horribly behaved dogs that were fixed and many many not fixed dogs that were great. But I know that that isn't how most people view it. But I don't think someone should be judged instantly by the fact of if their dog has testicles or not.

Edit also I have met many morons with intact and fixed dogs. i dont see what their dogs reproductive status has to do with how they care for their dogs.

 

I answered in the other thread, too, that the dogs would already have been neutered before being offered for adoption.

 

Out of curiosity, what was the reason for wanting a vasectomy rather than neutering?

 

Someon ein another thread wasn't wanting to neuter but didnt want to breed and I THINK might be trying to see if there was another option but I dont know. I have always wondered what others thoughts on neutering vs neutersol or vasectomy was. I sit around and think about weird things all the time.

 

I think another issue for rescue people would be the risk of the vasectomized dog still having the urge to wander if there was a bitch in season in the vicinity. The desire would still be there, even if the dog were shooting blanks-and that could present a safety hazard which might be unacceptable to rescue folks.

 

This is true but I also know neutered dogs who go crazy when bitches are in season and will mount a female.

 

I can't speak for all rescues but there are a couple of reasons why rescues in my area won't consider a vasectomy. 1. It is reversible. 2. To continue as a Rescue they must surgically sterilize all adoptable animals PRIOR to adoption. In our area vasectomy wouldn't meet that criteria based on reason number one.
As for Neutersol.... That word still makes some clinic staff at my local Humane Society cringe. That product is supposed to shrivel(?) the testes. Anyway, more than one dog needed a repeat dose after sperm were seen under microscope... Yup SEEN. Some unlucky staff member had to "collect" from the males suspected of being fertile. For a lot of breeder/show folks this is no big deal but trying to explain this to a twenty three year old girl getting paid a minimal wage... it doesn't go over well. NONE of the staff wanted that job! The Neutersol debacle predated my employment but is entrenched in the history of the place. I doubt the product is widely used anymore. The staff vet had to tattoo the dog, and if it didn't work it cost the sheltter money to have the wigglies examined at a lab. Plus, there was more than one unplanned/unwanted litter concieved b/c owners had no clue their male wasn't as fixed as they thought. Overall it was expensive and embarassing for the shelter.

 

I think the whole thing kind of falls under the Chinese menu argument. Breeders and/or rescue/shelters aren't here to cater to the desires of the public. We're here to help the dogs. If you happen to find someone that shares your view, great. If not, don't expect them to go off the beaten path just to satisfy you. I imagine that most rescues/shelters have a particular vet that they use and they have particular protocols that they follow and they probably aren't that interested in wandering away from those protocols that have been working for them. I know you mentioned that if it's a good home waiting, would you do what they want? To me, that doesn't matter. If not that good home, I'll find another home just as good. I'm not going to adopt the dog to a substandard home just because we happen to have the same view on neutering.

 

So I have often wondered if rescues would let a dog go if it only had a vasectomy.I have often wondered how others feel and why they feel its ok or not ok...

In theory I wouldn't object to a vasectomy for a dog, but in practice:
1) vasectomies are not 100% reliable.
2) the high risk for prostate problems remain.
3) he'll still chase the girls. True, some neutered males still chase girls, but some boys calm down afterwords. All vasectomized male dogs will chase girls.
4) the threat of testicular cancer remains.
5) legal requirements of the state the dog is in. The State of Texas requires that all dogs (and cats, etc.) adopted from a shelter/animal control facility must be neutered within 30 days of adoption.

My response to the person who wants the vasectomized dog would be to research state law and then explain the health risks with leaving the dog intact.

Just my opinion and thanks for reading it.:wavey: