Should I fix my yorkie??

Question

I am really on the fence about this. I have an almost 5 month old male yorkie. He currently weighs a little under 5lbs. His father was 4lbs, his mother was a little over 6lbs. He has the best temperment. He's a very calm dog, he doesn't sit and shake or anything like that. Even my father likes him, and my dad doesn't like little yappy dogs. My mom says not to fix him because I could always breed him out (he has ACA papers) and she says you only really need to fix the dog if he is really hyper and marks constantly - and my dog isn't like this. My fiancee says to do it. He says it's the best thing for the dog. The vet just assumed that it would be done. It will cost $170. But apparently it's a new improved lazer that has a fraction of the recovery time and fewer complications. And I have heard that it's hard on small dogs to be sedated. Any advice? Real advice please. Not just random comments about random things - thanks!

Answer 1

Neutering him has many benefits. My favorite one to tell clients is that it will decrease sexual frustration that goes along with having all those hormones. This can cause him to not hump your legs or other's legs (not always b/c of testicles). It can decrease the desire to mate which can create bad situations like him trying to get away from you to get to another female, or roaming behavior (decreases his chances of trying to escape your yard or something like that). Of course it can help with aggression if there is some, decrease the chance of him getting into dog fights or becoming aggressive. Later in life, decreases chances of testicular cancer, and is thought to decrease chances of prostate cancer.

Overall, neutering is important for population control. Spaying is most important, but neuturing makes a statement. I would only recommend you breed your dog if he came from an excellent champion background, or if he learned to talk or drive or something like that ( :) just joking). Any dog can get papers and that doesn't mean as much anymore. The important thing is that if you breed him, he doesn't have any genetic problems that he can pass on.

Truthfully, there are too many dogs in this world. If you are questioning breeding him, don't do it b/c it isn't necessary. Neutering him isn't taking away his man-hood. Some dogs do gain weight, but not likely, especially a Yorkie. Neutering will not change his personality or anything like that. It usually doesn't fix hyperactivity either.

Sedation will be fine for your small dog if he is healthy. Routine neuters are done on a regular basis on all types of dogs. If your vet is using laser surgery techniques then I'm sure they have top notch anesthesia too.

Neuter him as an example for others to be responsible pet owners.

Answer 2

If this is your and your fiance's pet, then get him fixed and enjoy years of companionship. Sure you could use him for breeding purposes-after all you have the ACA papers, but a majority of the time breeders will use other club members for this. Now to disagree with your mom on this point-only if they are hyper or mark their territory--just wait until the female dogs in your neighborhood and the places you walk him go into heat! As for the cost-go to the local humane society(dog-pound) and ask for a list of recommended vets in your area. These are usually the same vets that the pound uses for spaying/neutering and other services, and most offer services at reasonable prices. You don't need to go for the latest and greatest, just safest.

Answer 3

He's a puppy now so you don't know how he will act when he is mature but if you are going to neuter him do it now and not later.
Personally I would not neuter him because you may want to breed him and I do feel he is very small and wouldn't you feel bad if something happened to him.

I have had several male dogs that were not neutered and they were fine. The dog I have now was neutered at the shelter before I adopted him. He is a sweet a pie and the light of my life but I am not sure I would have neutered him if I had the decision to make - as long as you can keep them confined why neuter them. Now for females I would absolutely spay but males are a little different if they are a house dog.

Answer 4

I would say to fix him. In the long run it will be in the best interest for the dog not to mention save you some trouble because he will begin to "spray" around your house which will be a mess for you. If you were very serious about breeding him for the better of the breed then I don't think you'd be asking this question and since you are I definately think you should just have him fix rather than get into breeding him.

Good luck with your new addition to the family!

<3 Laura

Answer 5

firstly, just because he has papers, doesnt mean he is good to breed. Breeders rarely use even one or two pups from a pure litter to breed. This is because they are looking for the absolute best characteristics in each pup.

so if you breed the dog, you will only do it for money and will only be able to sell to people who dont know any better and just want their animals to have papers. Unless he happens to be an exceptional dog, in which case you might get interest from breeders.. but realistically, its unlikely - no harm in checking though.

If he isnt hyper or aggressive/territorial and there are no female dogs around, there really isnt any reason to get him fixed unless you have a personal preference. It is not what is "best" for the dog. Its just something that is done to control temperament, breeding and some medical conditions that some breeds are susceptable to.
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Answer 6

I would fix him. if u fix him he is least likely to runaway, get in a dog fight, or get hit by a car. Reasons. A male dog can smell a inheat female up to 5 miles away! So what happens is they runaway to breed, where they will get in a dog fight with another dog. hit by car happens while they are chasing the girl.
it's easier on him at this age then it will be later. I would recommend getting him tattooed and microchip while his asleep. so u can find him in case he ever gets out. the sedations vets use now are pretty sensitive so they aren't a risky now. most vets use a lite sedation and maintain on oxygen with a electric heart moniter.
ps if his not marking he may not ever or he may in a few months mine boy didn't start til he was 8 months.

Answer 7

Yes, Your dog will be soooo much happier and healthier. He will Even live longer if he is fixed, because it cuts down the chances that he will get any cancer in that area... It will be better for him with aggression, which he doesn't have now but can develop it when older. He can also mark when he is older. At the age of 5 months you really dont know, because he is still a puppy. But getting it done now will ensure a better life for you and your pup.. plus, it cuts down on him roaming and looking for a mate. Its also really good because of pet overpopulation! So many animals are being euthanized in shelters. You can help that by getting him fixed.

here is a video that should convince you to get him fixed. Its sad and kind of graphic but true

http://brightlion.com/InHope/InHope_en.aspx

and some reading of a story a shelter worker wrote:

http://www.animalsheltering.org/resource_library/magazine_articles/jul_aug_1996/dont_breed_annie.pdf

plus the benefits of getting him fixed:

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/why_you_should_spay_or_neuter_your_pet.html

hope this helps.

Answer 8

If you have any doubt get him fixed there are a lot of things he will need to be checked for before he will be even be conciderd as a breeding stud. In smaller breeds the eyes, elbows, tempermant, conformation, genitic defects, and mutipul other things tihs can get very expencive and it can be time consuming. Not only that you will need to be around for the breeding and that is very supr of the moment you can tell a female dogs cycle to an extent but are you prepared to be around at any time you and he are needed. i hope this helped please feel free to contact me if you feel that you need more advice
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Answer 9

My advice is not to fix it. I have 2 large males that r not fixed and I don’t have any problems with them. As long as u take care to train him well. After castration (he is not broken, he will be after removing his dog-hood) many dogs became less energetic, which may lead to overweight. U should be responsible and not allow it to bread unless u r going to find a good homes for the offspring.

Answer 10

Yes! Absolutely! Positively!