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Should I keep my dog intact?

I'm debating whether I should get my dog neutered or not.

I understood it's normal to do so, that it'll prevent unwanted pups, but it seems rather unnatural to me truth be told.

Anyways, can anyone provide me with some information and fact-based opinions on whether I should keep in intact or bring him in for "the big surprise"?

Wouldn't be until April or May.

Thanks,
-Mike

If you aren't planning on breeding him, I'd say to do it.

Of course it is unnatural. So is dog reproduction without any natural predators or food shortages (due to the undeniable human capacity to make garbage for stray dogs to eat).

The humane thing to do is spay/neuter, unless you want puppies.

Letting your dog run around "uncut" would likely end up with someone else (and their bitch) having to deal with the puppies later--never knowing which dog sired them--effectively making you and your dog "deadbeat dads".

I did my first dog. I refuse to do that again. Dogs are the most genetically destroyed (thanks to humans breeding them) species on the planet. I got tired of playing mother nature and I won't do it again. Just my take. Of course my dogs are all males and are fenced in.

Male dogs tend to get fat when fixed. Dogs are great for keeping a bit on the light side for longer lifespans. Why not give them the advantage?

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Mounce (Post 53289)

Male dogs tend to get fat when fixed. Dogs are great for keeping a bit on the light side for longer lifespans. Why not give them the advantage?

I disagree with this George, I had my BLM fixed at 14 months and he is a chisled machine.
As far as fixing a dog I have always read recommendations on fixing them after 2 years. The research behind this is that the signal for the eplithelial (sp) plates to close in the bones is done by the balls. Some bones stop growing before others. So the femur which stops growing last won't get this signal if you neuter early, causing a longer than normal femur. This will lead to joint problems down the line. There is also additional research regarding cancers and fixing your dog but its been a long time since I had to go through with this.
Additionally as mentioned above you should spay or neuter your dog eventually because its a responsible thing to do. Unless you have selected a dog that is the appitomy of the bred for breading, breading to have another dog like the one you have or so your children can see the miricle of birth is probably best left to professionals. There are enough poor quality dogs out there.

micheal how do bitches:D bones know to stop growing?

My current rescues are neutered and spayed, plus all past dogs were also.

It is unnatural for a dog to be kept in the house and answer to "Mike." Do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh everett (Post 53318)

micheal how do bitches:D bones know to stop growing?

You got me man. Probably not her balls.

Quote:

A study by Salmeri et al in 1991 found that bitches spayed at 7 weeks grew significantly taller than those spayed at 7 months, who were taller than those not spayed (or presumably spayed after the growth plates had closed).(1) A study of 1444 Golden Retrievers performed in 1998 and 1999 also found bitches and dogs spayed and neutered at less than a year of age were significantly taller than those spayed or neutered at more than a year of age.(2) The sex hormones, by communicating with a number of other growth-related hormones, promote the closure of the growth plates at puberty (3), so the bones of dogs or bitches neutered or spayed before puberty continue to grow. Dogs that have been spayed or neutered well before puberty can frequently be identified by their longer limbs, lighter bone structure, narrow chests and narrow skulls. This abnormal growth frequently results in significant alterations in body proportions and particularly the lengths (and therefore weights) of certain bones relative to others. For example, if the femur has achieved its genetically determined normal length at 8 months when a dog gets spayed or neutered, but the tibia, which normally stops growing at 12 to 14 months of age continues to grow, then an abnormal angle may develop at the stifle. In addition, with the extra growth, the lower leg below the stifle likely becomes heavier (because it is longer), and may cause increased stresses on the cranial cruciate ligament. In addition, sex hormones are critical for achieving peak bone density.(4) These structural and physiological alterations may be the reason why at least one recent study showed that spayed and neutered dogs had a higher incidence of CCL rupture.(5) Another recent study showed that dogs spayed or neutered before 5 1/2 months had a significantly higher incidence of hip dysplasia than those spayed or neutered after 5 1/2 months of age, although it should be noted that in this study there were no standard criteria for the diagnosis of hip dysplasia.(6) Nonetheless, breeders of purebred dogs should be cognizant of these studies and should consider whether or not pups they bred were spayed or neutered when considering breeding decisions.

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

Increased likelihood of testicular cancer and other problems far outweigh any problems with weight gain, though I agree that newborn pups should not be cut.

There is some interesting qualitative data out there about the connection of machismo and neutering if you care to look it up.

What breed are you getting?

I'm a Pit fancier and have done a lot of research on them. Here's an interesting tidbit: A survey attempted to track the status of the pit bulls involved in fatal attacks since ~1960. In EVERY instance in which it could be verified the pit was an un-neutered male. Also of note was the presence of an in-heat female at most of these attacks.

I wish I could remember where I found that. If I can find it I'll post.