SPAY or NEUTER:
Myth from Fact.
To Neuter or
Not to Neuter?
I always advise my new owners to
neuter their pet dogs. Females are spayed and males are castrated. I have
three good reasons for this. The first is medical. Dogs who have been
sexually altered live longer, healthier lives because they are not able to
develop certain cancers having had their sexual organs removed. The second
reason is behavioral. Male dogs are calmer, less apt to challenge other
dogs and persons, especially children who may be perceived as lower in
social position in the group. They are also less likely to roam.
Females are simply more comfortable
not having to deal with their heat cycle once or twice a year. The third
is reproductive. Unless you are a professional breeder, leave the breeding
to the pros who understand genetics, care and placement. With tens of
millions off unwanted dogs being euthanized each year for the lack of good
homes, there is no reason for casual breeding. If you love your dog, have
him or her neutered. It's the right thing to do.
Having a litter will help her grow up................False.
Raising a litter of puppies will not change her personality. She may not
even be a good mother, or she may need emergency medical attention, such as a
Caesarean section. In fact, spayed dogs usually make better pets.
It will change his temperament.......................True and False.
Neutering the male dog at an early age will help him be less aggressive
regarding his "territory". He will also not be tempted to follow the
scent of any female in heat in your neighborhood. Early neutering will also
help in house-breaking and training by decreasing the incidence of urine
marking for territorial reasons. An added benefit is a decrease in the chance
of prostatic cancer. But it won't turn your dog into a
"wimp", and he'll never know what's missing!
It will reduce her risk of breast cancer.......................True.
If spayed before her first heat (about six months), her risk of developing
breast tumors is substantially reduced. Mammary cancer is the number one
malignancy of the older female dog. Surgery in the immature female is less
prone to complications. Spaying totally eliminates the possibility of ovarian
or uterine cancers.
I plan on making enough money to recoup my investment in this dog.
Experienced breeders will tell you that they often lose money due to stud
fees, veterinary care, food, advertising, and time spent caring for the mother
and litter. They all place enormous demands on your resources. Responsible
breeders spend a lifetime learning about the bloodlines, genetics, and history
of their breed. And this still doesn't guarantee a market for the puppies.
It
will make my dog lazy and fat.................................False.
Overeating and lack of exercise make a dog fat, not missing hormones.
My dog is AKC-registered and ought to be bred........False.
AKC registration is not an indication of quality, and neither is the
presence of champions in the pedigree. Very few dogs have the outstanding
qualities necessary for breeding. Each puppy you produce should be an
improvement over the parents. You may feel your dog is perfect, but is it a
model for the future of the breed? Read the standard for
Chinese Shar-Pei and show
your dog in competition to see how it measures up to others. Research the
common health problems in your breed and discuss testing for genetic defects
with your veterinarian.
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