Neutering And Spaying Information; Making An Informed Choice For Your Dog
I disagree with the public’s and media’s harsh stance on spaying and neutering dogs so early in their life.
Neutering and spaying information has become almost a one-sided discussion.
We as a society have grown ignorant to very simple conclusions because we are blinded by the media and so called expert opinions. We spay and neuter for convenience, not because it could be helpful to the dog or society (Note: If you are an irresponsible dog owner please spay or neuter just because). We should only spay and neuter when the dog needs such an operation to make a real difference. Which is quite certainly after the dog is allowed to fully physically and mentally mature as nature intended.
Dogs, like humans and most other animals are born with reproductive organs. A dog’s reproductive organs, just like every other animal on the planet, are important in its development. If someone were to cut off (or out in the case of a woman) your reproductive organs before you fully physically and mentally matured you would have serious growth problems and possibly psychological problems to go along with it. Ask the choir boys of the Roman Catholic church during the dark ages.
What I have witnessed in the dog field is that dogs that are put under the knife early have strange growth spurts and seem to be lankier then their counter parts who have all their parts. The dogs whose parts are taken from them never fill out fully and by my observation lack bone mass. In addition to this, the dog never mentally matures. The dog seems to always have a puppy mentality and never gets serious about life. Dogs that haven’t been fixed have a completely different, more mature, demeanor instead of what I call the “forever puppy”.
Next, many people who strongly support early spaying and neutering are against correcting their dogs for displaying undesirable behavior, but will cut out/off a piece of the dog’s anatomy to fix it or try to avoid it, a little hypocritical? I believe what these people do is not only that but, a gamble. If you are against simple corrections you should be against removing organs.
Lastly the reasons for spaying and neutering are terribly misguiding and some are downright untruthful. I will explain some for you.
I. Dogs in general:
1. We have an overpopulation of dogs in the USA.
a. Not really anymore. Working in this field I know for a fact that a lot of shelters in the New England area import dogs from other countries. When was the last time you saw a stray dog walking the streets. In the south due to some recent disasters, some dogs roam the streets, these dogs should be caught and neutered or spayed and placed in nice homes.
II. Female Dogs:
2. Spaying will make a female less aggressive:
a. No. An intact female may entice males to mount her due to her scent and she will act accordingly. Is this true aggression? I think not. You try being mounted when you don’t want to. But in normal everyday situations, when the bitch isn’t in heat, no change in temperament is to be expected.
3. Spaying a female will stop her cycle (no blood in my house)
a. Selfish don’t you think. Spaying you will stop you from bleeding too. Stick a diaper on her and cut a hole for the tail. ****See the note below.
4. I don’t want strange male dogs on my property.
a. That’s fair, but your going to hinder your dogs growth for that? Have the owners of the male dog get a handle on them. If they can’t, call animal control.
III. Male Dogs:
5. Neutering your male will make him calmer.
a. Maybe, but you have a better chance of this working if you wait until the dog has matured (between 2-4 years).
6. Neutering will make your male less aggressive.
a. No. He will be less likely to fight over a mate but it will not change his perception about other dogs.
7. Will neutering stop my male from marking his territory, lifting his leg on things.
a. Anacdotal evidence exisits on both sides of this.
8. Neutering my male will make him stop roaming.
a. Yes and no he will not roam anymore to find a mate a few months after the surgery (unless he has been bred before then sometimes they still do). But, if your male Husky breaks free and like to roam around it will not stop this.
9. Neutering prevents testicular cancer.
a. Very true, that works for humans as well…. go for it!
There are plenty of neutered and spayed pets on the market and in shelters. You don’t have to get a perfectly healthy puppy and remove its parts to have a pet. Go to your local animal shelter, hospital or center and adopt a dog and truly make a difference.
**** Please neuter or spay (A) if you are irresponsible owners and too lazy to manage your dog. (B) Once they reach 2-5 years of age and you do not plan to breed them. (C) If your pet has undesirable genetic traits whether they be physical or mental. Behavior is largely dependent on genetics and if you dog has poor genetic traits please stop the bloodline with him/her. I suggest waiting until the dog has fully physically and mentally matured (2-4 years of age) before doing so. And get a full physical check for genetic deformities including x-rays when the dog reaches physical maturity to conclude he/she has none. Plus, some behavioral traits diminish as a dog comes into maturity and you could end up with the perfect dog that just went through a phase.
****Additionally, some of the friendliest, well behaved and social dogs I have ever known were intact (or still are) ask to come by and see some.
About the Author Brandon Hayes
Founder of Hayes Haus Kennels, Brandon Hayes grew up in Massachusetts and is no stranger to the dog world. He's been working as a dog trainer for 15+ years and breeding German Shepherd Dogs since 2009. In his free time, he enjoys coaching wresting at Triton High School.
