Should i get my dog castrated?

Question

i have a 7 month old lab puppy and i have been advised to get him done, i understand the benefits of it but i am unsure, he has the sweetest and friendliest character and im told that dogs that arent done can become aggressive and have other problems what do you think?

Answer 1

Un neutered males are more likely to roam, bite, fight and once they've sown their oats once its all they can think about!
Some people think its cruel to neuter. I think its cruel to leave a dog entire in a world where there are so many unpsayed females. They can smell them a mile away.
Males stop eating and lose weight if theres a female in season around - this is a species known for being a glutton, so that tells you how much it can affect them.
Entire males have a different temperament once they reach maturity. They dont all become aggressive and especially not with their owners - but they are different from neutered males.

Plus neutering means you'll never add to the problem of unwanted pups, and your dog will never get certain kinds of cancer.

But bottom line is its your dog! All you can do is weiugh up the pros and cons and make your own choice. Don't be pushed into it just because someone else thinks you should.
You can talk it over with your vet as well.

Answer 2

I've owned unneutered dogs for nearly 50 yrs. It is only in recent years that routine castration has become the fashion. You sound like the sort of owner who will not allow their dog to roam & sire unwanted litters, so I wouldn't worry about that. Just because he hasn't been castrated doesn't mean he's going to turn into a sex maniac. Presumably you bought a dog because you wanted a male with male characteristics, why not keep him like that? Neutering is not a substitute for training, it is not the neutering of a young dog which calms it down - that's called maturity. Castrating a large breed, like a Lab, at such a young age means that he will likely grow bigger than a normal Lab, it also means that he may be attacked more by strange dogs because the other dog can't make out what he is, where he would stand in a pack - he's neither a puppy nor a mature dog. True, your dog will not get testicular cancer but there is some evidence that castration increases the chance of prostate cancer.
There's no great rush, why don't you wait awhile & see how you feel. Once it's done, it can't be undone!
Whatever you decide, he's your dog & it's your decision.

Answer 3

Yes, get him neutered/castrated now. The benefits are numerous, not only in the sense of bevaviour, but also health-wise.

7 month old pups are usually sweet, no matter which breed they are. And this is the right time to get them done too. Because, as they become sexually mature, they can develop behavioural problems which the late neutering/castration may not be able to help.

Answer 4

Potential aggression is only one reason to have an animal fixed. (As Castrated is a bit harsh a term, cover his ears when you say that!) *Smiles...

You get an animal fixed so that it doesn't troll the neighborhood humping everything it can grab... Dogs become aggressive when you leave them unfixed and then prevent them from taking their natural course of action. If you plan on allowing him to bust a nut every now and again to release stress and let it all out, then that's fine, but if you planning on locking Mr. Rapunzel away in a tower somewhere and never letting him prowl, divide and conquer. Then naturally you are to expect some aggression. Unless you actually like leg humping... Get him fixed. It is the right thing to do unless you are breeding him?

Besides... Have you ever seen a male dogs ball sack hanging down... It's not attractive to have to look at.

Answer 5

I am an obedience trainer. I recommend that all my owners spay and neuter, for more reasons than just aggresive behaviors. A neutered lab is less likely to develop kidney and bladder problems that could lead to costly vet bills and the early demise of your best friend. Neutering does sometimes gentle males, but more important is training and playing with your pup. Labs are naturally sweet, but until they are about 2 years old they can be wild, wooly and willlful, and for those reasons I have seen many big lab boys end up in shelters. Neutering also prevents unwanted puppies in an already overpopulated society. Having to euthanize young dogs just because no one wants them is a sad and unpleasant task.

Answer 6

Oh yes, I remember a couple of years ago, a 3 year old Boxer deciding he wanted his wicked way with my leg. could I get him off? Could I fcuk.. Get your Lab done NOW before his b**lls drop. Aswell as the above there's also the puppy population explosion, the fact that your dog will probably get irritable when he gets horny, and then of course there's always the fear of him getting at next door's pride and joy, which is nearly always [according to them] a priceless pedigree, but in any case it's always embarrassing - not for them, they have no inhibitions do they. If you're not studding him, GNAD HIM!!! He's less likely to get prostrate or testicular cancer either, which is a reason in itself.

Answer 7

Neutering a male dog will decrease his tendency to mark his territory and demonstrate aggression towards other dogs and/or humans after he reaches sexual maturity. For a lab, the procedure will also reduce the chances that he'll want to roam, i.e., temporarily run away. The surgical procedure is pain free for the dog, and, frankly, does not otherwise "change" the dog. Your dog's sweet and friendly character will be exactly the same.

Answer 8

Dogs that are not done do not necessary become aggressive. It depends mostly on how you raise him, how you train him and how you educate him, how you treat him (just like raising babies).

You say that he is the sweetest and friendliest character - well, this is the way you raised him so far, and chances are that this is the way he is going to be (is going to stay).

Answer 9

If you want to keep him as the sweet friendly dog then I would strongly suggest that you do get him done. As he is puppy he is happy to be submissive for just now. But not long from now he will start to try for the Alpha status in the house - and a determined lab is a big dog to try to control. Getting him 'done' will definitely help keep this to a minimum.

Good Luck

Answer 10

Having a pup neutered doesnt change there temperment that much. If anything you will get a day or two of cuddle time with him! Also neutering your dog protects you and him from further health issues and stress issues on your part down the road. One of the biggest thing my vet has pushed with our males is to have them neutered to prevent testicular cancer. I guess it is pretty high in dogs and this eliminates a worry. Also it may prevent your pup from learning some of the more naughty boy dog issues. Lifting the leg on anything that wont move, humping , And it would prove that you are a responsible pet owner by making sure that he cant sneak off and make little pup jrs somewhere else. Which would help prevent him roaming!