Neutering a dog – yes or no?

There comes a point in every dog owner’s life when he has to decide whether to neuter. Although the procedure seems routine these days, many owners have a hard time deciding. All in all, it’s not surprising, as the consequences vary.

Neutering or sterilization?

Both procedures affect both sexes and are procedures performed on the reproductive system under general anesthesia. The purpose of sterilization is to prevent reproduction. In females, it involves ligating or cutting the fallopian tubes, without removing them. The uterus remains. In males, the vas deferens is ligated or cut. The testicles are also not removed. Dogs become infertile, but still produce hormones, so it does not prevent sex drive. 

Sterilization results in permanent sterility and suppresses libido; neutering is a more involved process. Animals that have had their gonads, or sex glands, removed are unable to procreate or create gametes, which are reproductive cells. The uterus and fallopian tubes are removed from bitches, and the epididymis and testicles are removed from males.

Benefits of neutering a dog include: 

• 90% lower risk of mammary cancer in bitches (however, this statistic is disputed by more recent research.)
• no risk of testicular cancer in dogs
• removes the possibility of an abscess (no uterus)
• lowers the risk of prostate problems
• eliminates the chance of developing cancer of the reproductive organs, and lowers the risk of perianal fistulas.

Castration has several negative health effects:

• an increased risk of developing other cancers, hemangiomas of the spleen and heart,
• urinary tract infections,
• tendency to gain weight and become obese due to slowed metabolism
• increased risk of vaginitis, particularly in bitches castrated before sexual maturity,
• increased risk of skeletal disorders and abnormal growth, especially in large breed dogs and bitches castrated before full growth
• increased risk of hypothyroidism.

How acts a pet that has been neutered?

A neutered dog is obviously not interested in “affectionate physical contact”. It also occurs that dogs become less aggressive as a result of lower testosterone levels. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to keep in mind that behavioral issues rather than hormones are typically the root cause of aggression. A neutered dog could feel a little lethargic afterward. This is compensated by the ability to focus more on working with the owner.  A neutered dog is more receptive to commands and easier to handle because he is less interested in his environment and other dogs. A male who has been neutered might be less likely to mark his territory by urinating on everything and copulating with household furniture and people’s legs. The possibility of a fictitious pregnancy vanishes in female dogs.

Other dogs may respond to a neutered Fop slightly differently due to the scent difference. Dogs have been shown to be able to detect when a dog has been neutered, though it is difficult to predict such behaviour.

Neutering a dog does not completely change its behavior. The following factors affect behavior:

• Genes (since anxiety tendencies can run in families)
• Socialization both in the new house and in the kennel
• The dog’s age when the procedure is performed
• Individual susceptibility to managing stress
• fulfillment of needs
• A rich social environment.
• The overwhelming majority of aggressive behavior is motivated by fear. Uncertainty is the source of fear.

Neutering and aggression? 

Male dogs‘ sex hormone testosterone is in charge of their confidence, among other things. Neutering = reducing testosterone, diminishing self-esteem.  

Bitches: testosterone levels stay constant while estrogen levels fall. Greater propensity for competitive behavior and decreased propensity for fear are associated with higher testosterone to estrogen ratios. Fear might lessen, but aggressive, competitive behavior might rise. Anestrus is a crucial time for bitch castration (a hormonally calm period). Castration in the diestrus phase (getting ready for a baby—possible hostility because of an imaginary pregnancy).

Sterilization has no such effect on behavior

Sterilization is an additional option that entails cutting or ligating the fallopian tubes in a bitch and the vas deferens in a dog. This procedure also renders the dog infertile. Even after sterilization, a female dog’s body releases sex hormones and she remains heated. A sterilized dog still has sex drive and has testicles and produces testosterone.

There are too many doggies.

Regretfully, I must admit that there are far too many dogs and not enough responsible, caring dog owners. This makes overbreeding and uncontrolled breeding unethical. Fop juniors run around the world on their own and end up in shelters, or in even worse places. They often end up put to sleep. We spay or neuter our pets, or make sure they don’t expand on their own, so we don’t contribute to this unsightly situation. Puppies are adorable, but finding them a loving home later on could be very difficult. Take responsibility!

Whenever you decide to neuter your pet, make sure you select a trustworthy veterinarian and ask him as many questions as you can in advance of the procedure.