To Neuter or not to neuter that is the question.?

Question

Why do people give me such a hard time about choosing not to neuter my dog? I plan to breed him with my female. Plus he's really well behaved, never pees on anything, only barks if you play rough with him, I feed him the best food and give him lots of exercise. (two walks a day plus an hour in the backyard running around with me and my husband). What is peoples beef?

I've looked into being a rescue home but there are very few small breeds in my city in need. (I don not have room for large breeds like retrievers otherwise I would own one.) So those of you who question my "desire to add to the problem of homeless dogs", that is not at all my intent. I simply want to offer good quality, well cared for dogs to families looking to become pet owners.

Answer 1

Are your dogs purebred? Are they registered or certified as purebred? Are you committed to any puppies that you produce, even if you can't find homes for them? Do you require references and applications from the potential buyers? Do you require a spay/ neuter contract from every buyer? Do you take really good care of your female, only breeding her when she is in good health and not every breeding cycle? Are screening tests done for the most common medical problems in your breed?
If so, you are a decent breeder, and there is absolutely no problem with your breeding puppies. I congratulate you!
If any of the above is a "NO" answer, then unfortunately, you are a backyard breeder, and really should not be adding to the pet overpopulation problem. There's no nice way to say that. I hope you won't take too much offense.

Answer 2

Some people are just weird about it, but some have good reasons. I have four big dogs (had 5 but one died several months ago from old age), and all were neutered except one, my male German Shepherd. I love that dog and it's so beautiful and such a mindful dog that I just didn't want to change a thing about him, BUT, as we got two new dogs, both neutered, and brother and sister, my
German Shepherd has NEVER let up in letting that male dog, now bigger than the shepherd, but well trained into the "hierarchy" in the back yard, know who's who in the the back yard. That is the only other male dog I have, and I have regretted continually for not having the Shepherd neutered in hopes that he wouldn't make life so seemingly miserable for the younger male. They've been together for about 2 and a half years now, and I regret putting those two males together, one being not neutered. But I don't think the issue is whether I did or didn't neuter the Shepherd. My stupidity is in not knowing NOT to put two male dogs in the same back yard, even if it is a BIG back yard, oh, maybe an acre or so. They don't fight since the younger one is neutered, and he's "learned his place". And I can guarantee you, he's very healthy. I guess, all-in-all, I'd not neuter my Shepherd if I had it all to do over again. He's a fantastic animal. I'd just learn to know which dogs go with which dogs. God Bless you.

Answer 3

Okay- to be frank- being well behaved is not a good reason to breed a dog. Dogs should only be bred if they are "Excellent Examples" of their breed, have had x-rays and any genetic testing available for their breed done (and passed- as in no problems found on said testing), you know their pedigree and all the dogs in it and whether or not they carried or were affected by any genetic diseases, have spent time exhibiting dogs and know about what makes a structurally sound dog, have mentored or apprenticed with another reputable breeder who can guide your choice in sire- or tell you whether the sire you have is worthy of being bred- and finally- if you are financially and emotionally prepared for any problems that might occur through your breeding- i.e. needing a c-section or losing the whole litter and your female due to infection or disease. If and only IF you do all of this, then you should consider breeding and also only if you are willing and able to find good homes for the puppies produced and commit to being responsible for the puppies for the duration of their lives- such as making sure they don't end up in a shelter or puppy mill where they will be bred to death by someone unscrupulous. That's what the beef is, I'm afraid....

Answer 4

What kind of dog do you have? Is he an AKC registered purebreed or something? The reason I ask is that there are already millions of dogs in this country and thousands that are waiting for homes in humane shelters. That is why people give you such a hard time about not neutering your dog. There are just too many dogs to begin with, and you have to ask yourself, is mine so special that I just have to add to that ever-growing population of animals? Even if your dog is a purebred, do you really need to add to the problem?

Another good reason to neuter your dog is that he will most likely live longer. Neutered male dogs have lower incidences of cancers. He will also be less likely to wander off your property looking for a female in heat, making him less of a target for car accidents or being picked up by animal control.

So that's it...The reason people want you to neuter your pet is because that's what a true animal lover would do, just to be responsible.

Answer 5

Probably because there are so many benefits of neutering a dog, but, as the dog's owner, it's your choice.

WHY NEUTER?
There are many medical and behavioral benefits in having your male dog or cat neutered:

1. Better health for your pet
- Eliminates your pet's desire to seek out a female and reduces the risks involved with a free-roaming animal (car accidents, etc.).
- Virtually eliminates the risk of prostate problems and eliminates the chance of testicular tumors.

2. Decreases the overpopulation problem
- One male running loose for just a few hours can impregnate many females, adding to the serious problem of unwanted puppies and kittens.

3. Eliminates sexual frustration
- A male sensing that a female in heat is nearby is single-minded: he will break down doors, jump fences and run in front of cars in his desire to mate.
- Lets your pet relax and enjoy being part of the family.

4. Convenience to owner
- Reduces aggression against other animals. It decreases fights, thus saving you expensive vetrinary bills and aggravation.
- Reduces the annoying and embarrassing urge of some male dogs to "mount" children and adults' legs.
- No need to confine your female while in heat, which can be costly as females in heat can be destructive in her attempts to gain freedom.
- Stops male dogs from "marking" and tomcats from "spraying" foul smelling urine in the house.
- Reduced dog license fees each year will quickly cover the cost of the operation.

MYTHS

- Neutering will make my pet fat. Not true. Neutering your pet will not make him fat and lazy. Too much food and not enough exercise are the main causes of obesity.
- Neutering will hurt him. There is little discomfort from this procedure, especially if done young. However, vets now have a "pain patch" the pet can wear home that relieves any discomfort. Even without the patch, most pets are hard to keep quiet rather than being "laid up" by the operation. What is more likely to hurt him is being left intact - due to increased cancer risks and risks of roaming.
- Neutering will take away the "guard dog" instincts. Not true. Neutering a dog does not reduce its ability as either a guard dog or a watch dog. They will still be as protective of their territory as they were before the surgery.

Answer 6

How old is your dog? Spaying/neutering your pet can prevent health problems in the future. A lot of these 'bad' behaviours come out when the dog is over 8-12 months. However, if your choice is to breed them, and you are going to breed them responsibly than it shouldn't matter what others are thinking.

Answer 7

If you want to know why people tell you to neuter your dog you need only go to your local humane society. There are thousands of dogs without homes and the world doesn't need every dog owner to have a litter just because they can...

I strongly feel that anyone who breeds dogs should do rescue work... if you love your breed enough to reproduce it, you should be doing something to help the unfortunate ones without homes too. I have had one litter of Italian Greyhounds, my dam was (is) a champion in the show ring and I (until recently) was very active in IGCA rescue...

Answer 8

Well unless you have purebred dogs that are in demand then breed em fine. BUt people beef is that thousand of animals are killed each day because people did not fix thier dog and we are overcome with unwanted puppies. IF you want to breed your dog because you think he is cool and h e is not purebred, then please dont do it!
ALSO- Male dogs should be fixed one because it keeps them from becoming and developing agression as they grow older as well as removes the possibility ov them getting testicular cancer.

The responsible thing for any pet owner who is not breeding purebreds is to have thier animals fixed. And honestly there are enough pure breds out there as it is. You female will ive a longer life if you do not breed her.

Answer 9

The whole deal with people these days are making sure that more helpless puppies don't end up on the streets abandoned.

If you do chose to breed him, you will have to take the best care in finding good homes for the puppies.

Answer 10

You've been offered great advice, so I'm not going to add to that.

BUT WOW!! I'm surprised,"I simply want to offer good quality, well cared for dogs to families looking to become pet owners."

Do you not care about the other dogs needing homes? What makes your dog's puppies better than all the thousands of poor, innocent dogs needing homes?

LOL - I got a thumbs down. Looks like someone doesn't care about the animals needing homes.