Neutering - Will this Fix Your Dog?

There's so much propaganda today about having male dogs neutered that owners sometimes have unrealistic expectations about how neutering will affect a dog's behavior.

Animal rights activists have done a great job co-opting the mainstream media so that owners never read anything positive about leaving male dogs intact. Yet, many intelligent, educated and experienced owners do just that.

Many animal rights groups do not believe dogs should be subjugated to serve humans as pets. Restricting the population of dogs is one way to curb our ability to have pets. That's one reason why animal rights groups are such vocal advocates of neutering.

Neutering means the surgical removal of the reproductive organs of a dog which for males means that both testicles are removed.

The following are some considerations for you in making your choice.

1. Show/Breed - Show dogs in American Kennel Club sanctioned events may not be neutered. This is a long-standing rule that probably derived because show dogs usually turn into studs once their show career is over.

2. It's an operation - Although neutering is widely performed and is generally considered a safe operation, it is an operation and does require a general anesthetic. There is always a risk when small dogs are subjected to anesthesia. You should not unthinkingly decide to have your dog neutered.

Talk to your vet and understand what type of anesthesia and pain medication s/he will give your dog. Ask about the risks and chances of complications as a result of the the surgery. Understand the after care you should provide your dog until he heals.

3. Cancer - You often read that neutering will help your dog avoid getting cancers associated with reproductive organs. This is true to the same degree that having a hysterectomy or being castrated will prevent cancer associated with reproductive systems in humans.

If you look beyond the old wives tales, you'll find that veterinarians disagree on the best practice.

For example Veterinary Oncologist Keven Hahn writing in Veterinary Practice News said that after reviewing studies over the last 30 years, he's not sure what to recommend to his clients. There is a higher incidence of testicular cancer unneutered dogs, but also a higher incidence of cancer of the blood vessels in neutered males. This issue is whether there is a cause and result relationship to any of these.

4. Behavior changes - Owners often look at neutering as cure all for unwanted behaviors. Sometimes undesirable behaviors such as marking territory may be decreased if not stopped altogether. Other times, behaviors such as humping go on because they are instinctive in a dog.

Neutering will ameliorate unwanted behaviors directly related to the influence of testosterone levels such as behaviors related to sexual frustration. It will not magically correct all behavior problems.

According to a study by Dr. Benjamin Hart of University of California at Davis:

"with urine marking in the house, mounting, and roaming, one can expect a resolution in 25–40 percent of dogs neutered. Aggression toward strange dogs should be resolved in 10–15 percent of dogs. ...There is no way of predicting in advance which dogs will respond the most to neutering."

Contrary to old wives tales, an aggressive dog may be just as aggressive after neutering. He could even be worse because testosterone levels often give male dogs a higher level of conference than they would otherwise have. Fearful dogs are often aggressive and bite in defense; i.e., striking the first blow to prevent being attacked.

5. Behaviors that supposedly get worst - Almost everyone agrees that it's nothing more than old wives tale that dogs get fat after neutering. Dogs get fat for the same reason we do - they eat too much and exercise too little. I personally know slim neutered dogs and slim intact dogs.

However, there is a significant population of dog professionals who believe neutering often has an impact on a dog's personality. I'm sure some of you read that and are outraged that I would be writing something that everyone else has told you is poppycock. I agree there is no scientific evidence (how would you measure a dog's personality?) and the evidence is purely anecdotal.

But use your common sense. Hormones matter. We accept that hormonal changes in human females during menstruation and menopause affect behavior. Doesn't it make sense that hormonal changes caused by removing a dog's reproductive organs might have an impact on a dog's personality?

If you are seriously into something like agility or dog dancing, talk to other people at shows about the benefits and detractions of having your dog neutered. The most common problem I hear is that a neutered male loses his edge and becomes more complaisant.

If your dog is purely a companion, this shouldn't be an issue in making your decision. The change apparent to professionals who work seriously with hundreds of dogs may be imperceptible to regular owners. As your dog ages, he will be "losing his edge" anyway.

6. Remaining behavior - If you leave your male dog intact, you run the risk of his impregnating any female dog within his reach. Females dogs in heat give out a scent that no intact male dog can resist.

If you have a male dog, you must keep him confined at all times - either in your home, in a fenced yard or on a leash. Your neighbor could turn ugly - not to mention litigious - should your dog create a litter of puppies with his female dog.

7. Age for neutering - It's standard practice in America for dogs to be neutered at very early ages (even as early as 8-weeks!). I believe the reason for this is that it's easier for the vet to operate on a young dog. There is no definitive answer to this question of what age is best. Your vet will have his/her own preference and you're at his/her mercy.

Keep in mind that spaying and neutering are the most frequent veterinary surgery in America today and for many dogs, the only surgery they will ever have. It's only prudent to be aware that a vet's encouragement to have your dog neutered is a financial benefit to him.

8. Genetics - no dog with a genetic disease or hereditary defect should be bred. If you get a dog from a shelter or rescue group, he probably will already be neutered but if not, I do recommend these dogs be neutered. There is no way to know their medical history and there's no reason to take chances on the health of any offspring. Any dog with significant personality disorders such as extreme aggression evidence by attacking other animals or humans should not be bred.

I am not advocating either neutering or not neutering your dog. My goal is to present realistic information that you are unlikely to find elsewhere on the Internet.

Do your own investigation using the Internet to read veterinary journals from veterinary schools. You'll find that the evidence on the benefit of neutering is not 100% positive! You'd never know that if you didn't look for it.

If your vet offers an opinion, it's appropriate for you to ask if this is based on some study or his/her personal opinion. Exercise your right to analyze your choices and make an informed decision.

Good luck.