Any input on neutering a dog?

[SpatiallyAware]

I have a shiba pup, about 8 months old, who goes just about everywhere with us and is already a major part of the family.

He's very well-behaved, maybe a couple of "shiba quirks" but no spotting/marking inside, no humping, none of the typical problematic behaviours you can get with male dogs. He doesn't always come when called, but I really don't think neutering will fix that as it's a shiba trait. The biggest issue is that he is somewhat prone to roaming if he accidentally gets out off-leash, and he doesn't have any natural fear of cars.

From what I've read, it actually sounds like 'modern research', IE the last 2-3 years, has found out that neutering is overall not a great thing. Apparently certain cancers and bone/ligament issues can be exacerbated by lack of hormones due to neutering. Granted, a neutered dog can't get ball cancer, but the incident rate of testicular cancer is apparently fairly low.

My vet has said that most of this new research is medically unproven, and that it's a hugely personal decision more than a medical one. While I am concerned about him running out the door and wandering around for a few hours, I'm not sure if that outweighs the potential downsides.




General thoughts? The vet has offered to do a vasectomy rather than completely chopping them off.....

 

[rivan]

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'm a firm believer that you should spay or neuter all pets. There are far too many unwanted animals and people who let their pets procreate at will. Very irresponsible.

 

[rivan]

I'm a firm believer that you should spay or neuter all pets. There are far too many unwanted animals and people who let their pets procreate at will. Very irresponsible.

This.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I'm trying to decide whether to neuter him or have a vasectomy done.

 

[rivan]

I'm trying to decide whether to neuter him or have a vasectomy done.

Sorry, I thought you were saying "do nothing" was also an option for you.

I've had 4 dogs in my life. All male, all mutts, all have been neutered. All but one have lived full, long lives and the exception was hit by a car at 8 years.

I think you're overthinking it and I'd do whichever is less costly, or whichever your vet suggests (assuming a dog vasectomy is as effective as neutering).

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Sorry, I thought you were saying "do nothing" was also an option for you.

I've had 4 dogs in my life. All male, all mutts, all have been neutered. All but one have lived full, long lives and the exception was hit by a car at 8 years.

I think you're overthinking it and I'd do whichever is less costly, or whichever your vet suggests (assuming a dog vasectomy is as effective as neutering).

My issue is that neutering has apparently been shown to significantly increase the incidents of certain types of cancers, bone, and ligament issues. Not-neutering only removes the possibility of testicular cancer.

Based on that alone, I'm leaning towards a vasectomy. I'm ok with his personality and behaviour, and it basically just eliminates the ability to make puppies.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I'm trying to decide whether to neuter him or have a vasectomy done.

Neuter is neater. Srsly though it calms the animal down and makes it a better pet.

 

[darkewaffle]

I don't know about the alternatives to neutering animals, but provided it prevents them from reproducing I'd be in favor of it. I've only ever had a female dog however so I can't speak on how it affects their behavior or personality.

 

[Jodell88]

Neuter is neater. Srsly though it calms the animal down and makes it a better pet.

This is what I understand as well.

 

[uclaLabrat]

My issue is that neutering has apparently been shown to significantly increase the incidents of certain types of cancers, bone, and ligament issues. Not-neutering only removes the possibility of testicular cancer.

Based on that alone, I'm leaning towards a vasectomy. I'm ok with his personality and behaviour, and it basically just eliminates the ability to make puppies.

I don't know of any vet that would say that.

 

[BudAshes]

This is why I stick with female dogs. I can't handle questions like these.

 

[Broheim]

Had my old german shepherd chemically castrated once (temporary, just to see how he'd react), until it wore off all he did was sleep, eat and get fat. He didn't want to go for walks or play or anything. I didn't get him fixed permanently...

 

[Ns1]

I'm a firm believer that you should spay or neuter all pets. There are far too many unwanted animals and people who let their pets procreate at will. Very irresponsible.

this

 

[Juddog]

Neuter is neater. Srsly though it calms the animal down and makes it a better pet.

This. Nothing more annoying than an unruly dog that tries to hump everything in sight.

 

[jaedaliu]

Got bit by my friend's maltese mix after he was neutered. Stupid dog overcompensating. You'd think he was human!

Your shiba pup is still young. If there are no issues with behaviour, that's great. But if he gets unbearable, you might need to pay twice for the same type of procedure.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Got bit by my friend's maltese mix after he was neutered. Stupid dog overcompensating. You'd think he was human!

Your shiba pup is still young. If there are no issues with behaviour, that's great. But if he gets unbearable, you might need to pay twice for the same type of procedure.

This guy is a family member. I have no issue with having another procedure done, I don't want to risk some odd personality change.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

This. Nothing more annoying than an unruly dog that tries to hump everything in sight.

My op is two paragraphs, please read it. He doesn't have a humping problem.

 

[Juddog]

My op is two paragraphs, please read it. He doesn't have a humping problem.

You also said this:

about 8 months old

 

[tynopik]

sounds like your vet is trying to scam you into a more expensive procedure

 

[Rakehellion]

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_age_do_dogs_hit_puberty

 

[Scarpozzi]

Just don't do it in your kitchen. It's best to hire someone else to do it.

 

[IGBT]

I'm a firm believer that you should spay or neuter all pets. There are far too many unwanted animals and people who let their pets procreate at will. Very irresponsible.

words of wisdom..your dog is nothing special. Once the hormones kick in you will have a male K9 with a full range of hormone driven behavioral characteristics. Consult your vet.

 

[slayernine]

Ask the vet if you can keep the bits. Then see if your dog will eat them.

You probably shouldn't listen to me

 

[blackdogdeek]

We struggled with whether or not to spay our puppy (about 10 months old now). We worried that he would lose the personality we saw him developing. However, from what we read and learned from our vet about dogs being able to smell dogs in heat and then being overcome by hormonal urges to find those dogs we didn't want to take the risk that he'd get out of the yard or hurt himself trying to do so or try to run away while we're walking in the park.

After the neutering he's just as rambunctious as before and now we don't have to worry about him running away (at least due to trying to get with dogs who are in heat). He does continue to hump on occasion but that is because it is a dominance display rather than an attempt to impregnate human shin bones.