[h=2]Possible reasons not to neuter your male dog[/h] Most of the following statistics come from a 10-year study at the University of California (Davis) Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The study was headed by Dr. Benjamin Hart and study results published in 2013.
[h=3]
Neutering triples the risk of obesity.[/h] Extra weight leads to debilitating joint disease, arthritis, heart disease, pancreatitis, and diabetes.
Neutered dogs become overweight when owners feed the same amount of food as before their dog was neutered. Neutering, you see, changes a dog's hormonal make-up and metabolism so he doesn't require as much food.
Monitor your dog's shape as you feed him. Keep adjusting the amount you feed so he stays on the slender side, and provide plenty of exercise. Then your neutered dog will not become fat.
[h=3]
Neutering increases the risk of a deadly cancer called hemangiosarcoma.[/h] Apparently the reproductive hormones (testosterone) offer some protection against this cancer.
Hemangiosarcoma is much more common in certain breeds, especially the Afghan Hound, Belgian Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bouvier des Flandres, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Doberman Pinscher, English Setter, Flat Coated Retriever, French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Greater Swiss Mtn Dog, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Saluki, Scottish Terrier, Skye Terrier, and Vizsla.
[h=3]
Neutering triples the risk of hypothyroidism.[/h] The loss of reproductive hormones appears to upset the endocrine system. This can result in low thyroid levels, which causes weight gain and lethargy. Fortunately it can be treated with a daily thyroid supplement for the rest of your dog's life.
[h=3]
Neutering increases the risk of geriatric cognitive impairment.[/h] Old dogs can develop a form of "dementia" where they become disoriented in their familiar house and yard. They may interact differently with their human family. They may forget their training and housebreaking. Intact dogs are less likely to suffer this disease because the reproductive hormones are thought to help protect the brain.
[h=3]
Neutering is major surgery requiring general anesthesia.[/h] Studies show that about 20% of neuter procedures have at least one complication, such as a bad reaction to the anesthesia, infection, abscess, etc. Fortunately, most complications are minor. Less than 5% are serious, and the death rate is less than 1%.
[h=3]
IF DONE AT THE WRONG AGE, neutering increases the risk of hip dysplasia, torn ligaments, and bone cancer.[/h] Your dog's reproductive hormones help his bones and joints develop properly. If you remove those hormones too early, they don't have enough time to complete their valuable work.
- Early neutering causes the leg bones to grow unevenly. This leaves your dog more vulnerable to hip dysplasia and torn ligaments.
- Early neutering makes a dog four times as likely to get bone cancer, a deadly cancer that mostly occurs in large and giant dogs.
The moral is.... If you're going to neuter, don't do it before your dog's reproductive hormones have had time to do their valuable work. And when is that? It depends on his size or breed, which is completely covered in my
dog care book. Please don't neuter your dog before you read Chapter 10.
[h=2]So....should you neuter your male dog?[/h] Let me ask you some questions:
If your male dog is hard to control, increased exercise and Respect Training are your first steps.
1. Does your dog have any of these behavior problems?
- Does he mark (lift his leg) excessively?
- Is he aggressive toward people or other dogs?
- Does he mount/hump other dogs, or even your leg?
- Does he pay more attention to other dogs than to you?
If he has any of those behavior problems, I would increase his exercise and begin
Respect Training immediately. If that doesn't solve the problems I would add neutering at the right age.
2. Does your dog interact with a lot of other dogs? If so, neutering would be wise. He will be less inclined to pick fights with other males, less inclined to be picked on by other males, and less inclined to pester females in embarrassing ways.
3. Is your dog a German Shepherd, Irish Setter, or Leonberger? These breeds are prone to perianal fistula, and neutering can reduce the risk of that.
4. Does your dog have two testicles in his scrotum, or is one (or both) missing? Missing testicles are up inside his body. In a puppy, it's not uncommon for them to go up and down for some months. But if they have never dropped by a year of age, they're probably not going to. Since retained testicles can develop cancer, neutering is a must.
5. Is there a real risk that your male dog might hook up with an unspayed female? If so, you should definitely neuter him.
If none of the above applies to you and your dog, you might decide not to neuter.