Home > Dog Health & Feeding > Neutering Your Male Dog, By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books. Neutering reduces urine marking in 50 percent of males. If your dog is a year old and still has one or both testicles tucked up inside his body (called cryptorchidism), the retained testicle is 14 times as likely to develop a tumor compared to a descended testicle. There would be more value in breeding for puppies in such an instance, even if there are undesired behaviors that you may wish to modify. Dogs are naturally protective of their territory. Is he aggressive toward people or other dogs? Fortunately, most complications are minor. But neutering helps, too. Here are the pros and cons of neutering dogs to think about if you’re considering this procedure for your pet today. It is part of the healing process. Dogs that are neutered no longer have the risk of suffering from testicular cancer, a common form of cancer in dogs, later in life. Here's How To Tell. 3. Neutering can increase the health risks of certain conditions for dogs. Your dog’s metabolism will slow down after they are spayed or neutered. But current research on neutering shows that the issue is not so simple. Even if your dog isn't aggressive himself, being intact makes him a target for other intact males who might see him as a potential rival. There are increased risks for hypothyroidism, cognitive impairments, and orthopedic disorders as well. It can appear in any dog, but is most common in non-neutered German Shepherds, Irish Setters, and Leonbergers. You must be extra careful to keep him away from unspayed females. First, let's look at the positives – the advantages of neutering your male dog. About the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. Monitor your dog's shape as you feed him. In the case of not neutering the dog, the organ will become gradually enlarged (as the dog grows). Studies show that about 20% of neuter procedures have at least one complication, such as a bad reaction to the anesthesia, infection, abscess, etc. In a puppy, it's not uncommon for them to go up and down for some months. While this is generally a good thing as there are too many dogs in the world, a well-bred and good-tempered male may be the right candidate to breed from, so it is always worth considering. You don't want to just drop off your dog expecting all safety precautions to be taken. And when is that? The dog population in the United States is out of control. Although neutering dogs can actually help improve the dog’s condition and health months after the surgery, this process can still instill some health risks later in their lives. It's a big responsibility to own an intact male dog. It seems that cons for neutering a male dog far outweigh the benefits in terms of a dog's health. As long as the dog receives a healthy diet and regular exercise, the act of neutering will not cause the dog to put on weight. Absolutely necessary? In addition, a neutered dog won’t develop prostate problems. Dogs that are not neutered will have the urge to run away from their home if they sense a dog in heat somewhere in their neighborhood. If none of the above applies to you and your dog, you might decide not to neuter. It can reduce sexualized behaviors. The goal is to have fun more than it is to find a mate or expand personal borders. Enlarged prostate occurs in 80% of intact male dogs past the age of five. It reduces the risk of prostate and cancer problems. In addition to reducing roaming in male dogs, neutering can … This disease is one of the causes of death in dogs. In other words, neutering does not only hinder the overpopulation problem of dogs but they also improve the dogs’ life. It reduces marking and spraying issues. No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website, or distributed in any way without permission from the author. The procedure has many benefits, including taming unwanted traits, behaviors, minimizing the risk of certain diseases, and reducing conflicts among dogs. As the dog ages, the bladder muscles are weaker than they should be, which causes leakage. Many dogs have learned behaviors that go beyond basic hormones. Some dogs may have learned to lift their leg to spray, so they’ll keep doing that after they are neutered. It seldom spreads and has a cure rate over 90%, but neutering prevents it entirely. The dog is taken to a veterinarian, who will then remove the dog’s testicles using strict sterile techniques. Other reasons for castrating male dogs or spaying females are more about the owner rather than the dog. If that doesn't solve the problems I would add neutering at the right age. So it is very important for you to provide your dog with regular exercise and the proper portion of food. 4. Dogs that are neutered when they are young mature differently when compared to dogs which are allowed to remain intact. Other common issues, such as infections or cysts, are reduces as well. Pros and Cons of Spaying or Neutering Your Hunting Dog Better known as “getting fixed” here in the South, spaying or neutering your dog has several clear benefits and a few risks. Some dominant bossy males will even mark inside your house. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy (or adult dog) when you can see the correct training techniques in action. Less Chance of Marking – A neutered dog generally does not feel the need to mark his territory, especially in the house. Now, neutering isn't a cure-all, because testosterone is also produced elsewhere in the body, not only in the testicles. Old dogs can develop a form of "dementia" where they become disoriented in their familiar house and yard. Neutering helps re-focus your dog's attention. But there are already too many puppies (and adult dogs) who desperately need homes. There's a right time and a wrong time to have the surgery done. A cryptorchid dog should definitely be neutered. If you have a female dog please see our blog about spaying here. Pros and Cons of Spaying or Neutering Your Dog Virtually every single dog owner alive will at some point face the daunting question of whether or not to spay or neuter their pup. Dogs that are neutered may have their coat growth patterns altered. There is a lot of confusing information out there on castrating dogs so here I have condensed it all down. There are a number of risks associated with neutering male dogs that pet owners are not being told about. “Help control the pet population. Although it doesn’t happen often, there is a small risk that the neutering procedure could cause urinary incontinence for the dog. Pros and Cons of Neutering a Dog. The removal of the testicles changes the hormonal balance that is within the male dog. Keep adjusting the amount you feed so he stays on the slender side, and provide plenty of exercise. Hemangiosarcoma is much more common in certain breeds, especially the Afghan Hound, Belgian Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bouvier des Flandres, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Doberman Pinscher, English Setter, Flat Coated Retriever, French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Greater Swiss Mtn Dog, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Saluki, Scottish Terrier, Skye Terrier, and Vizsla. But other causes of dominance and aggression still need to be addressed through Respect Training. 1. It could change the texture of the dog’s coat. Gonadectomy also prevents testicular cancer, but this is a rare cancer in the first place. If you grew up watching Bob Barker host The Price is Right, then you knew the show would be closed in the same way, every day. Cons of neutering: When a dog's testicles or ovaries are removed the production of hormones is interrupted and there is some debate that this may affect bone growth Neutered dogs may be at risk of weight gain as they do not utilise their calories as effectively A cryptorchid dog should definitely be neutered. Is your dog a German Shepherd, Irish Setter, or Leonberger? Dogs that are neutered before the age of 12 months have an increased risk of osteosarcoma. Then your neutered dog will not become fat. Extra weight leads to debilitating joint disease, arthritis, heart disease, pancreatitis, and diabetes. When a dog has not been neutered, their behaviors can … Even if your dog isn't aggressive himself, being intact makes him a target for other intact males who might see him as a potential rival. The pros and cons of neutering dogs is, in general terms, something that can be beneficial to individual pets while controlling overall population levels. So that you can make the right, informed decision for you and your dog. Affected dogs have difficulty with urination or bowel movements. In fact, those safety precautions are often not used unless you specifically ask for them. Pros of Spaying Dogs 1. This will make you dog easier to deal with, and it’s especially important if you have children at home. In fact, a neutered dog is four to six times more likely to develop prostatic cancer. But if they have never dropped by a year of age, they're probably not going to. This can result in low thyroid levels, which causes weight gain and lethargy. Neutering is the actual removal of the male dog’s testicles and other pertinent items specifically for breeding. 5. That is simply false, which is why every potential advantage and disadvantage must be carefully weighed to determine what the right course of action should be. There are 6 questions you should ask and 6 answers you want to hear to make sure your dog will be as safe as possible during the surgery. Also, if your dog ever attacks someone else, it can cause you a lot of trouble and cost you a lot of money. Owners often request neutering to prevent behavioural problems, especially in male dogs. Neutering is a surgical procedure that is used to sterilize a male dog — it can also be used to sterilize female dogs. 3. Is there a real risk that your male dog might hook up with an unspayed female? 2a. Less testosterone is present, which means there is less of a desire to mark territory. After castration, the metabolism of a male neutered dog decreases by about 30%. Dogs that are neutered no longer have the risk of suffering from testicular cancer, a common form of cancer in dogs, later in life. Neutering can reduce these behaviors because it changes the urge to mate. When to neuter (different ages for different breeds).... safety precautions to insist upon.... 6 specific questions to ask your vet, and the 6 answers you want to hear.... plus more info on breeding.... all covered in Chapter 10 of 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy. If you are talking to a breeder or a trainer, he or she will recommend that you get your dog neutered at about 14 months of age. Pros and Cons to Neutering with Regards to the Prostate. A dog roaming around can get into accidents easily. Although there may be changes to the maturation process afterward, for some dogs, the benefits here outweigh the potential disadvantages which may occur later on in life. The good news is that it's fixable. Neutering a male dog usually decreases the incidence of urinary marking. It could affect the overall health of your pet for years to come. 2. 5. It happens when the surgery takes place before the bladder is fully developed. Does your dog interact with a lot of other dogs? The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. That issue goes away as well. Neutering puts an end to all that. If you decide to not neuter your dog, please prevent him from breeding. Intact dogs are less likely to suffer this disease because the reproductive hormones are thought to help protect the brain. Because neutering initiates a hormonal change for the dog, there can be some changes to the animal’s physical characteristics over time. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. Also that neutering should be done as early as possible, certainly by 6 months old? An intact male can become very agitated – whining, pacing, sometimes escaping his house or yard. The texture of their coat might change as well. 6. 11 Variable Universal Life Insurance Pros and Cons, 18 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of the Payback Period, 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Leasing a Car, 19 Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Financing, 24 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of a C Corporation, 16 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Mediation, 18 Advantages and Disadvantages of a Gated Community, 17 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Focus Groups, 17 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Corporate Bonds, 19 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of Annuities, 17 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Advertising. Neutering, you see, changes a dog's hormonal make-up and metabolism so he doesn't require as much food. Now, these behaviors can also occur in neutered dogs and can stem from over-excitement, lack of exercise, attempts to show dominance, or the dog simply not being taught that these behaviors are unacceptable. Imagine a puppy living with a painful health problem because your male dog had that problem in his genes yet was allowed to breed. Neutering Your Dog: 3 Pros and 3 Cons (male dogs) 1 PRO of neutering your dog: Reduction of “Male” Behavior 2 PRO of neutering your dog: Better Prostate Health ... Perhaps one big benefit of neutering a male dog is it stops him from roaming the streets to get to a female dog in heat. It depends on his size or breed, which is completely covered in my dog care book. Some male dogs can be overly aggressive, especially when other male dogs are encountered. “The AVMA supports the concept of early (prepubertal, 8 to 16 weeks of age) spay/neuter in dogs and cats in an effort to reduce the number of unwanted animals of these species. 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