Should I spay my female dog or neuter my male dog??....Please help, anxious "mama" here :)!!?

Question

I have two dogs that I found on the street when they were two weeks old. They are brother-sister and we believe the female was the runt. They are sweethearts! They are 8 months now, and the female has not had her first cycle but it is coming! Then there can be mating between the two of them, which would obviously not be good! So I must "fix" at least one of them, despite my motherly guilt:)...But I am wondering whether I should spay the female or neuter the male? The male is a more simple procedure, but my female dog´s personality is more sensative and nervous than the male´s so might it affect her in a worse-better way? Also, these dogs have done everything together from day one, so would it affect their relationship or cause confusion if just one had the operation? I have a tight budget (student) so just one operation is better, but if necessary I can manage both. I am just so worried to change them in any way, these are my treasures and I love their personalities..Please Help:)!

Answer 1

If you can, have them both done at the same time. If you can truely only afford to do one, neuter your male. It is cheaper, easier for him to recover, and will reduce or eliminate problems with agression which are most common in unaltered males. If you leave him intact, he can become agressive with the female when he wants to mate, even if she is fixed.

Get the male neutered, than save up to have your female spayed.

Answer 2

Hi!

Hopefully you are living "in-city", because in-city counties usually have free or very low cost pet neutering and spay programs. Call your local animal shelter for the contact numbers for these agencies. "No More Unwanted Pets" here in New Mexico gave me two free neuters and a spay for only $25.00. There are some rural counties that have these programs too, it's a matter of funding. Check it out.
In your case, I would get both fixed, as this can only make them easier to house train, no puppies to break your heart and bank account, and no worries of attracting unwanted canine visitors, not to mention transmittable diseases or birthing fatalities. If you really, really cannot possibly fix both at the same time, get the female fixed first, as she's the one at higher risk, and if you cannot afford the fixing, you definitely cannot afford the puppies. Assume that, if you delay on fixing the male for too long though, you will likely end up with angry neighbors, a shot dog, a dog that is near impossible to house train, or one that acts inappropriately toward your guests or females of his species. Dogs have sexually transmittable diseases too, and, many parasites end up changing hosts this way as well.
As for temperament and health, you would be doing both of them a huge favor, and extending their lifespans by as many as ten or more years. The female will not have the drain on her body that a heat cycle or puppies would exact, the male will not get into fights with other dogs over bitches in heat, and you've just cut their disease and injury statistics down by over a third. Generally, when dogs get fixed, the males become more affectionate and obedient, while the females become a lot more emotionally stable and reliable. All of you can only win if you get both fixed at the same or a very close timeline, and as soon as possible. It sounds like you love them very, very, much and as love is also responsibility, I invite you to do what you already know is the right thing to do... Fix both of them.

Answer 3

Spaying and neuturing normally doesn't change a dog's personality. Most people believe male dogs calm down after being neutured- which is true but it can take up to a year for them to calm down and not be so hyper, but they generally stay the same. I would fix the female because they go into heat and it's not always a pretty thing- it will make the male dog try and mate because of the hormones she will send out which causes even more of a problem for the male. Plus, females spray when they are in heat. If you can only fix one, fix the female.

Answer 4

Well, personally, would "fix" the both of them. If you fix the male and not the female, you run the risk of the female getting loose and becoming impregnated. If you spay the female and don't neuter the male, then you run the risk of HIM getting loose and impregnating a female, in both cases you may end up with a litter on your hands (and possibly a civil lawsuit from a neighbor, strange I know, but I've seen it happen!) And no, spaying/neutering will not change their personalities, if the male is hyperactive and humps everything in sight, neutering will tone him down a little, but he will be the same sweet pup he is. The female shouldn't change at all! Best of wishes to you and your pups!

Answer 5

Do them both for different reasons.

For the female, heat still means the risk of unwanted pregnancy even if it is not from your male. Male dogs will do virtually anything to get to a female in heat, including jumping through a plate glass window. Heat is messy and unpleasant and females personality changes during that time. It will protect her from many reproductive diseases including cancers and pyometra. Spaying should not affect your female's general personality.

For the male, it will reduce the potential for aggression, biting and wandering off to seek females to mate with and generally makes them better companions. As male dogs mature (around 1-2 years of age), the potential for aggression increases and early neutering can head that off. Neutering also prevents reproductive diseases in males.

Spayed female/neutered male combos are actually the best to own. They become very good buddies.

Answer 6

For the health and well being of the 2 dogs, I would get both of them altered. If you absolutely cannot afford both at once, I would spay the female first, so there is no chance for her to get pregnant by other dogs. Then I would neuter the male in a month or so. It is really important that they both are altered.

Answer 7

First, I applaud you for taking two stray puppies off the street and keeping them out of the animal shelter. I implore you not to add to the problem of over pet population by allowing them to breed indiscriminately. Be responisble and have both of them fixed; even if you have to budget by having them done one at a time. Many shelters and vet's offer some financial help with these procedures. The only guilt you should feel, is if you do not have these procedures done immediately, there is absolutely no reason why you should allow a breeding. Believe me, your girl does not feel the need to experience motherhood! The surgery will not alter their personalities in any way whatsoever. Do the right thing, you will feel better for it.

Answer 8

If you can't afford both spay the female. Heat cycles can be very stressfull on females if they are not bred. There is a higher risk of ovarian cancer in un spayed dog neutering the male will stop him from roaming if he does, and can also cut down on "marking", but males are usually fine without being fixed.

Just a word... if they did breed the puppies would turn out fine. As gross as some people find it, breeding brothers and sisters works fine, as well as breeding Mothers to sons, and fathers to daughters. But if you are not a breeder yourself and don't know how to handle a littler of pups don't do it!

Answer 9

This is a tricky situation. Neutering and spaying does not alter their personality (except for the first day home...they act like theyve been out at a bar all night!) and is relatively fast to recover from. It all depends on what you think is better for your situation. Consider this:

MALE:

1. He may impregnate his own sister, leaving you with a litter of inbred puppies that are likely to have genetic health problems.
2. He could become aggressive toward other males on walks if you do not neuter him, he may also feel more territorial.
3. He could start to lift his leg in the house. He will do this because he feels the need to mark his territory. Neutering eliminates/reduces this behavior.
4. He could become sexually frustrated and hump things. Not all dogs do this, but if he does, be prepared to take him for lots of walks to burn him out and get his mind off of it!
5. He could start to dig and try to escape if he smells a female in heat nearby.

FEMALE:
1. You will have to deal with her heat cycles. Sometimes they are messy and you need to dress her up in some 'panties'. You also need to keep her in the house until her cycle is over.
2. Puppies. Enough said. Does the world need more puppies? If she does get pregnant, and you find out it's too late to do an emergency spay to abort the litter, are you able to support a litter of four, five, or even ten?

I think puppies and heat cycles are enough reasons!

Please cafrefully consider this, talk to your vet. Your vet may be willing to spay and neuter them both and come up with a payment plan to fit your budget.

Answer 10

Hey there. Your dogs' personalities are not going to change because you've had them speutered. This is a common operation that's done all the time - luckily, it isn't difficult to find low-cost spay and neuter clinics. A Google search for your zip code + "low cost spay neuter" will get you results.
Both of your dogs should have the operation. There are long-term health benefits that far, far outweigh the risk and inconvenience of having intact dogs. Thank you for speutering!

Answer 11

Both. Your female dog will get her period and go into heat if yo don't and your male will be dominant and pick fights with other male dogs/ try to mount other females.
Embarrassing!
And anyway it's healthier, as least with the female. It prevents a few illnesses that I can't think of off the top of my head.
I'll come back and edit this with the details later.
Oh yes! And if you go to a a Humane Society, they will spay/ neuter for a very low price. That's what I did with one of my cats. I think it was like, 20 dollars or something ridiculous like that.