Should I neuter my male dog? Pro and cons?

Question

Also what age can this be done? will it make himbetter behaved? are there any side effects? I dont want to stud him, as he is a cross breed (jack x shihtzu).

Answer 1

Since testicular cancer is second only to skin cancer as the most common cancer in dogs, castration of the male obviously removes this risk as well as risks associated with testicular torsion and infections. As with human males, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate is a major problem, involving more than 60 percent of the sexually intact male more than five years of age.Many owners believe that neutering a dog or ***** causes it to gain weight. However, if feed is restricted to only that which a dog needs, and a program of activity (such as daily walks) is undertaken, the neutered can remain as trim and fit as it should be. This is probably as true of the intact pet as it is of the neutered one.
Studies show that as many as 60% of the castrated males show a decline in unprovoked aggression toward other dogs. In addition, one study showed a decrease of 90% in the tendency of neutered dogs to roam. Animal behavior expert Benjamin L. Hart, DVM, PhD, sums up the effects of neutering on pet personality by noting that the procedure causes no basic personality changes except in the cases of roaming and aggression. Activities such as playfulness, activity level, watchful barking and affection-seeking are, in Dr. Hart's opinion, not changed at all by the neutering.At Minnesota, Dr. Katherine Salmeri and associates conducted an extensive study of the effects of early neutering on dogs. There were no problems in neutering seven-week old puppies; anesthesia was simple and recovery uncomplicated. Surgical time in bitches was considerably reduced due to the lack of abdominal fat. Pups were returned to their litters and were eating within an hour.
Castration before puberty did not adversely affect growth; in fact, there was some evidence that early castration increased long-bone length. The neutered dogs were not less active as they went into adulthood, there were no changes in social behavior and the effect of neutering at seven weeks was, in all respects, similar to that of neutering at seven months.

I didn't find any negative affects of neutering your dog.

Answer 2

Neutering cons 1) reduces the risk of prostate and testicular cancer 2) helps curb hormonal behavoirs like aggression, humping, marking and roaming 3) prevents unwanted litters 4) he's more focused on you and less interested in fighting other males and seeking a mate Cons just the minimal risks that come with surgury. A neuter is pretty much routine any more tho, and is really not that invasive. Vets can do a pre-op blood test to rule out risk of problems with anasthesia. Risk of infection is minimal.. most males are only sore for a day or two after the surgury.. most are up and about the next day as if nothing happened! Personally I think neutered dogs are happier. I have a friend with an intact dog, and the poor dog acts miserable at times because he wants to go fight other males, and seek a female. Average cost to neuter a small dog, around $65-120 or so.. call around to vets to get a price.

Answer 3

can be done at about 6 months old although the yanks do tiny baby pups which is wicked.
It won't somehow magically train him or make him obedient. Only training can do that. What it will do is stop testosterone related problems such as fighting, wandering off in search of females, certain territorial behaviour. It will also mean he never gets testicular cancer.Castrated males are definately more mellow. The only side effects are the loss of balls :-)
I have always had rather a lot of dogs living here as I foster and do rescue. I can rely on my castrated boys to behave like gentlemen towards other dogs at all times. I would be a little more nervous about it if they were entire. Definately have it done for his sake aswell as yours.
There are lots of pros and no cons

Answer 4

Yes you should.A male dog who remains intact experiences a huge increase in testosterone in adolescence. At several months of age, the male's testosterone level can be several times that of an adult male! This gives a real jump start to hormone-related behaviors, including urine marking in your house, aggression toward other male dogs, territorial aggression, and escape-oriented behavior in order to roam.
Some male dogs, especially tiny terriers and hounds, may be impossible to housetrain if you wait too long to neuter them. With all dogs, be guided by your veterinarian's opinion as to the best time for spay/neuter. Six months to one year of age is usually about the right time.
For best behavioral results, it's best not to wait past a year of age to neuter males. Once a hormone-triggered behavior has continued long enough, you can be dealing with a firmly entrenched habit that will not fade even after neutering. Frequently, neutering helps with behavior problems, even if done much later, so don't give up on it just because you've missed the optimum time.
Intact male dogs tend to have more difficulty concentrating on tasks and to show erratic behavior in the vicinity of a female dog in heat. Intact males may not be able to eat or sleep when a female dog in heat is in the same house! Jumping fences to go after a female down the street is common, even in dogs who have never roamed before.
Your 1-year-old or 2-year-old intact male dog may be acting like a neutered male in terms of being easy to live with, but chances are that if you leave even an easy-going fellow intact to the age of 3 years, you'll see undesirable behaviors. But the risk is increased, and parents need to know this, as does everyone who has a large-breed male dog. If you don't have an important reason for breeding the dog, and the right facilities to keep the dog from harming anyone, why live with this increased risk?
If you want to take your dog out and about, whether for family outings, runs at the dog park, or pursuit of dog sports such as agility, the dog will function better if neutered. Dogs are much more the victims of their own instincts than humans, less able to override impulses.

Answer 5

Hi there,
You dont say what age you dog is but I really would advise you to wait until he is at least 6 months old... 4 months is far to young- im not sure if the people who said that maybe live in us or something and maybe they do neuter that young there but at 4 months old it is highly unlikely you dogs testes will have fully descended and have grown. If you wait until 6 months he will be reaching sexual maturity.
Im going to put my opinion into this as I have had 6 male dogs and a number of females... I currently own 3 males 1 *****. For bitches Id say always always spay them either after first season or if breeding after final litter- this is because bitches can suffer awful compliations and problems with their 'womanly bits' - have a look on net. For males in my experience -and this is just my dogs that I have owned ( i know many people who have experienced a much calmer, cleaner better behaved dog after neutering) however my dogs seem to have all but one developed a real fear of other dogs after castration. It has made 2 of our dogs slightly dog agressive- from being very very placid and also makes your dog have a real tendency to put on weight- due to the fact they are constantly looking for food!.. On the other hand it prevents unwanted puppies and stops your dog scent marking... Weigh it up and make your descision. Side effects wise other that anesthetic I cant think of any that are commonly known.
Good luck
:-)

Answer 6

The age depends on your vet. Some vets will do it very early, as in 8 weeks, but the vet I used to work for, and other vets I know, reccomend around 5 months. Neutering makes a much better, healthier dog. Neutering can make aggression less likely and prevent certain types of cancers. It also helps control the population of unwanted pets. Unless a person is wanting to breed their dog, as a breeder, they should get their dog neutered or spayed.

Answer 7

Yes, you should definitely neuter him. Besides the fact that this world doesn't need any more unwanted puppies you will offering your pup a great defense against different cancers...It also tends to make a puppy less likely to wander off.

There is NO reason not to and every reason to do it. You're not guaranteeing any better behaviour (some people will say it does), but it's a healthy decision. There are no side effects...in fact, in many states it's a requirement for adoption. Registration fees are usually much cheaper, too.

Answer 8

Unless you already have behaviourable problems with your dog, I suggest there is no need to have him neutered. Even then, although neutering can reduce aggression and/or marking in some dogs it is not successful in all dogs. A better solution would be to seek help in training the dog to correct any misbahviour. However, be aware that far and away the most common causes of behaviour problems in dogs relate more to how the owner relates to the dog, rather than the dog itself.

Hope it works out best for the dog.

Answer 9

Better health. A dog that is spayed or neutered has no chance of developing uterine or testicular cancer; in females, the risk of breast cancer and urinary infections is drastically reduced. Reproductive cancers are common among older dogs that have been bred.

Better behavior. Male dogs that are neutered when young are much less likely to roam, mark their territory (and your belongings) with urine, and show aggression toward other male dogs. Intact (unneutered) male dogs will go to great lengths to get to a female dog in heat—they will dig their way out of yards, break fences and leashes, and cross streets in heavy traffic if a female in heat is in the area.

Easier care. An unspayed female bleeds for about 10 straight days twice a year. She bleeds on your carpet, your furniture, the interior of your car, and on the ground outside. As soon as she has marked your yard, you can anticipate a constant parade of male dogs who will pace your lawn, howl, and bark. You have a fenced yard? They will dig their way in.

No accidental pregnancies. If your dog accidentally becomes pregnant, you will have to provide additional medical care—for her and the puppies—and be responsible for finding good homes for half a dozen or more offspring.

Answer 10

If you neuter a dog under or around the age of 1, he will not develop the habits of scent marking, wandering, chasing females, and it will curb aggressive tendencies.
However, if this behaviour has already established, it will have little effect.
Neutering will save all dogs from the risk of testicular cancer.

Answer 11

If the dog is not for stud then there are no cons to it. Just do It anytime after 4 months. You should call around and check prices.