What are your thoughts on neutering male dogs?

Both Frodo and Prince had been neutered before I got them. Prince was prior to 10 months and Frodo I don’t know about. Two very different animals, literally!

Why not? There’s no shortage of dogs.

The people I know who don’t like it have a weird childish personal identification with it. Like if the dog can’t breed the guys are less studly or the women aren’t good mothers.

If I get a puppy, I neuter as young as is safe and effective. I have neutered an adult male as well. Aside from the obvious (if you’re not going to show or breed there’s no reason to have an intact male) I find the difference in behavior and temperament to be positive. Lessened aggression, lessened desire to wander, not as jumpy, stuff like that.

In a younger day I spent a lot of time in the dog show world (family thing) and did a lot of training with dogs that had been finished, then neutered and put into the obedience ring. Same things applied. They were easier to work with in a strict training environment than they had been before the snipping.

Have fun with the puppy! :-)

I’ve always assumed it was standard practice, unless you intend to breed the dog later.

I am against forced eugenics in any form.

Thoughts from the AVMA

Without a doubt, neutering reduces roaming (in response to bitches in heat), aggression towards other male dogs, territorial marking, and odor (intact male dog urine is greasy and rank).

I wold never have an intact dog.

Better them than me!

Wait until they are about 15 to 18 months old.

My male dog is neutered. I can’t remember how old he was. It was at the age the vet recommended. We didn’t experience any problems with him before or since.

Just one more thought to add to the good answers above: I spend a lot of time at dog parks these days and whenever anyone brings an intact male into the park (technically against the rules), the other males, even though neutered themselves, are intensely interested in that dog and much more likely to mess with it.

Every responsible pet owner should spay or neuter to prevent unwanted reproduction, which our shelters are full of. Period. All stop. There is no other sensible stand.

exactly what @marinelife said! And yes, my male dog was neutered. I didn’t notice any changes in him. He was a good dog before and after. He was about a year old when we had it done, but that’s becuz he was not neutered when we got him.

I am constantly battling with myself on this subject! Generally, I prefer male dogs to be kept entire for at least a year (especially in the larger breeds) and if the dogs are of a nervous disposition then I think it is extra important as the testosterone can help them cope in situations that might make them anxious. However, many of the male dogs I work with are defensive when around other males and so we often recommend neutering then. I work regularly with a Springer Spaniel called Dexter (who is a personal favourite of mine). He was entire until he was around 18 months and found every male dog offensive and would lay into them. The owners were very reluctant to get him neutered but as he wasn’t really nervous in any other part of his life I was confident that getting him neutered would solve the problem (providing they hadn’t left it to late as his behaviour could quickly have turned into a learnt habit). Long story short, they eventually did get him done and he changed almost over night aNd is now generally friendly and happy around other dogs. I have never seen a change quite that quick but it was obviously the necessary course of action for him.

I try to base my opinion and advice on each individual dog as every case is so different, however my general rule is, if they are fine with other dogs and under a year, keep them entire until they are between a year and 18 months. If they are of a nervous disposition, keep them entire while seeing a behaviourist to try and get them to a confident enough point where removing the testosterone won’t matter as much. If they are defensive with other dogs but otherwise able to cope with every day life, get them done. I always warn owners who choose to keep their dogs entire that other dogs may take offence to them, even if they themselves are friendly enough.

I don’t know how much behaviour training the vets where you live get but over here it isn’t much at all. Most vets seem to push to get male and female dogs done at 6 months regardless of temperament and state of mind. With this in mind I would recommend getting both the opinion of your vet and a behaviourist as you will then get all the medical and behaviour advice you need to make an informed decision.

All this is also based on how responsible I think the owners will be with an entire dog. If I think that they are likely to allow their dogs to mate with a bitch, adding more puppies to the over population, then I will suggest neutering.

I also have to stress to owners regularly that getting their dog neutered is not a guarantee that it will calm down without some impulse control work. In some cases it does help calm them down but I see more cases where it doesn’t make much difference.

Thank you! This thread has been extremely helpful. I will talk to my vet too, of course, but I like to feel prepared :)