i dont want to "fix" my dog?

Question

i bought a chihuha through a pet store and keep him in my apartment. I dont want to have him "snipped" is that bad? i heard it shortens their lifespan if you dont

Answer 1

Well, the choice is yours, but you should also realize that there may be regulations in your city about it. For example, in Los Angeles, the license annually for a neutered dog is $10, but an unaltered animal is over $100 per year.
If you are going to walk doggie on city streets, he will need to get a license, or you may get a citation.
Check with your local animal control and make an informed decision.

Answer 2

Actually, believe it or not, based on where you live, it is actually against the law to not have your dog spayed or neutered unless you have a hobbiest license. And the only way you can get a hobbiest license is if you are showing or breeding your dog. Since you got your dog from a pet store, AKA puppy mill, I hope to god you are not going to breed him. Also, not getting a dog, especially a Chihuahua. Though they are small, they can be very bossy and demanding and lead to some major behavor issues. Neuturing a dog will help with this issue. I would recommend reading about the breed, and also looking up local animal laws in your area to insure that you don't have to neuter him. A lot of times, people think, no big deal, I won't get him neutered, and then he gets picked up by the pound. If he is not neutured, then you are looking at fines for running at large, an unaltered, and then they can find other things. And they keep track. If it happens enough times, you could be facing jail time.

Answer 3

First of all, NEVER buy a dog or cat from a pet store. They buy from puppy mills. They are not reputable breeders and the puppies health, genetics, breeding, and over all soundness can not be guaranteed. Puppy mills mass produce puppies under the worst of worst conditions. The animals are not cared for and are bred season after season just to produce and make money. They are kept in small filthy cages without exercise their entire breeding life. Most are inbred with all sorts of health problems. The pet store will not back you up if something goes wrong. They are there to just make money off of YOU. They do not care about the animal or what happens to it after they get your money. They also overcharge. I can guarantee you, that you could have bought a higher quality pet from a reputable breeder for a lot less money. Anyone that buys puppies or kittens from pet stores just perpetuates this problem and keeps the puppy mills going. Please, never buy another dog or cat from a pet store. Go to a reputable breeder and look at both the dam and sire before buying.

Getting your dog fixed does not shorten or lengthen the dogs' lifespan. It does however keep your dog from marking, running off, curtails aggression, and/or producing more unwanted dogs. There is an over population of dogs in the entire world. Neutering your pet Chihuahua will also keep your dog's behavior calmer and more in line with a pet than a breeder. You will be happier and so will he. Take your pet to a low cost vet and have him neutered. You will be glad you did. Good luck!

Answer 4

Not being neutered can indeed shorten their lifespan. Castration prevents prostate and testicular cancer in males, which are more common than you might think. Lucky Jenna that none of her dogs have ever had cancer (that she knows of). I've seen plenty that have that could've been saved by being neutered. It really is important for their health to be neutered.

I find the most common reason people don't want their dogs castrated as that they don't want to 'take away their manhood'. I think it's a shame that dogs are put at risk because their owners think this way - and typical for a man to consider that manhood is all about having testicles!!

OK, I'm not suggesting this IS the reason you don't want it done, but what other reason would there be? Castration does not dramatically alter an animal's behaviour - it only removes sex-associated behaviour such as mounting things and sexual aggression. Sometimes it doesn't even stop this behaviour!

Please have your dog castrated so he can live a long and happy life with you!

Chalice

Answer 5

Neutering is, in my opinions, generally a good thing. I also live in an apartment with a chihuahua (almost six months old) and I am having him neutered next week.

The main advantage is quite obvious: he won't be able to get another dog pregnant if he escapes from you somehow. This will help to keep the pet population low so we don't have so many stray animals roaming the streets hungry. I've been told that neutering makes dogs less aggressive, but I don't have a reference to back this up.
This will also decrease the chance of certain hormone related diseases such as benign prostatic hypertrophy and testicular cancer.

As for the disadvantages...there are always risks relating to surgery such as an allergy to anesthesia or an infection. He may also have a higher risk of prostate cancer and hormone-responsive alopecia (hair loss). He will also face a higher risk of developing osteosarcoma.

All in all, I personally thing the pros far outweigh the cons, but it's your dog so do with him as you will and I'm sure you'll both be happy. Be sure to check my sources below for more information.

Answer 6

It is a matter of choice although it is a fact that neutered dogs of both sexes live longer and are much healthier and happier. You can always change your mind later and get it done although some of the marking behavior may not stop even if neutered when it is done late. Many pet store dogs are not purebred even if they have papers as getting faked papers is very easy. None of a pet store dog's parents were health checked so the chance the pup has hereditary medical problems and behavior problems is much higher so no pet store dog should be bred. I have shown my dogs for years so often have not neutered the males until they were 6 as I waited until we were done with the shows. All my dogs were obed. trained and titled as well so marking was not a issue.

Answer 7

Neutering a dog makes him more pleasant, less likely to mark territory in your house, and extends its life expectancy. Males that are intact eventually develop enlarged prostate glands. When the prostate is enlarged, it causes difficult and painful urination. Sometimes it also causes difficulty passing stool and leads to a vicious cycle of diahrea and constipation. It can also become infected and eventually become cancerous. Since your dog is an apartment dog and also a toy breed, he will likely not get much regular exercise to actually decrease the likelihood of an enlarged prostrate gland.

That is why most veterinarians and breeders alike agree that a dog should be neutered by 8 months of age if he is not going to make a significant contribution to the breed in a well-planned breeding program by someone who knows what they are doing in the breed.

Answer 8

the dissimilar breeds people have stated are actually not "low grooming" something with an prolonged coat would be intense maintenence. Hairless is intense maintenence. some breeds I seen stated (which contain dachshunds) are actually not "lazy".. dachshunds are hounds, and can be obdurate, energetic little canines. Italian Greyhounds are low grooming, under 25 pds, and extremely affectionate little lap hounds. some may be energetic.. I had one in my care tho that became very laid lower back and needed purely to be held and snuggled. extra Peruvian Inca Orchid is a medium sized canines.. no longer small, they are hairless, so intense maintenence.. and that they are energetic. Pugs might in high quality condition too, different than they require the folds and wrinkles on their face to be saved sparkling and dry.. there is a few maintenence there. in any different case Im advised they are astonishing affectionate little lap canines. Shih tzu are additionally very astonishing laid lower back canines, yet require grooming to stay away from matting. No such element as a "pocket" beagle.. beagles are available 13" and 15".. beagles are actually not "lazy" canines the two. stay removed from something it truly is listed under the terrier or hound team in case you dont pick an energetic canines!

Answer 9

In Denmark, where I come from, we usually don't "fix" our dogs unless they have medical or temperamental problems and their life spans are no different as far as I know.

You will need to check that both his testicles have fallen into place by the time he's maximum one year old, though. If they haven't, you have to get him neutered to prevent cancer and other problems. Not "fixing" your dog in this case is really not an option.

Also, you might want to considered neutering your dog if he starts to exhibit problem behaviour. Hormone related aggression toward other male dogs, stress and frustration if there are female dogs in heat in the neighbourhood etc.

As for keeping him in the appartment. Remember a chihuahua is still a dog, he'll need to be exercised, trained, be allowed to run around, play, sniff bushes and lamp posts just like all other dogs. Just be careful not to let him romp around with bigger dogs, as they might inadvertedly harm him. Also since he's not neutered, it's your responsibility to ensure that he doesn't impregnate any female dogs.

Answer 10

It doesn't shorten his lifespan to keep him intact. It's your dog and it's your choice. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty whatever you decide.

Altering a male will help to curb aggressive behaviors and help to stop marking. If you do not want to breed him then yes it is probably better to have him altered.

Chis are like four-legged babies. They live about 15-20 years. Enjoy your dog.