Neutering of a dog?

[Miss B Haven]

I think you better ask your dog first. I bet he's got a pretty strong opinion about this.

[OceanBlue]

I sure don't know of any downsides, except expense. But the upsides are many. It is the right thing to do if you're not planning on breeding. The animal will be calmer, healthier, better behaved, they live longer and you reduce the number of unwanted pets in the world. At least that's what the vets say. Check with the doc. See what they say.

If that's not enough, just read *********' post on the ifish community. He admits that the dog gets out frequently and runs because he's not been neutered. What a tragedy!

[rmac57]

I absolutely agree with Pilar's Mate.

I've had several dogs in my life. Many of them male: most neutered, some not. In my experience a neutered male makes a much better pet than a non-neutered male. The biggest reason being that a non-neutered male has a big dose of wanderlust - particularly if there's some scent of a female in heat in the wind. A non-neutered cocker spaniel I had many years ago would range litterally up to 10 miles tracking canine coochie-pop. When he got older and his hearing and sight weren't as good, he died on the highway about a mile from home - surely chasing doggy dandy.

There is no fence strong enough to control a non-neutered male lab. Your options are to either neuter him or keep him on a chain at all times (much more cruel in my opinion than neutering.)

Anyway, that's my $.02. Plus about $150 for 45 years of experience with dogs.

:tongue:

[Perfect Drift]

I did the same things, should I, shouldn't I. I neutered him at 6 yrs old. A very good thing. Things that changed- he didn't pee on plants, he spent alot less time sniffing for other dogs scent, while out on the beach or in the field, he stayed closer to me. The vet said he'll be healthier, protrate etc. Hard to say on the last part, he got cancer at age 7.

[blast and cast]

I am looking for opinions on if I should have my lab neutered. I have no desire to breed him and am looking for the ups or downs of doing this.