Fixing vs. Not Fixing your dogs

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have always spayed my dogs at 6 months. I mostly keep females. Have 7 currently. Intact dogs are more likely to fight due to hormonal phases.

Decades ago those that I didn't spayed developed cancer. Both mammary. One died at 6 years old. I personally haven't seen any problems from spaying at 6 months. They heal up quickly.

I grew up in a time before spaying and neutering were normal. It wasn't good. Stray dogs, and dogs being put to sleep because the pounds were all full. They had gas chambers for efficiency. So sad. Now thanks to the push to spay and neuter the pounds around here are mostly empty.

The current research I have read says most breeds and females especially don't have problems. It's mostly the larger males of certain breeds.

There's no one right way. It all depends on you, your dog, and maybe your veterinarian.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm not sure if anyone linked this study already. It's a long, but interesting read.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00388/full

 

[Anime2lover]

Hey everyone, this is something I've done a lot of research on lately. We've had labs in the past and always got them fixed. This time, I decided to do some research on the topic. I found a very informative article against fixing your dogs. Its written on Dogs Naturally, and very large, informative, and trustworthy source for holistic/natural medical care for dogs. I use it for a lot of my dog questions. Point being, they talked about a lot of study's in the article showing that intact dogs are less likely to get hip dysplasia, joint disease, cancer, and behavioral issues. I've also found that this is a very controversial topic. Theres lots of article claiming the exact opposite. I'm interested to see everyones opinion. I personally am leaning towards not spaying my pup. I'll link the article I read below. I also never liked how invasive it is. Vets remove the uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, and ovaries. The entire reproductive system. Plus it immediately cuts off hormones, which play a big role in the immune system.
Anyway, this is just want I've read. Wondering what everyone else opinions are. If you don't spay your dog, please feel free to add what you do to prevent pregnancy. I know, and agree that dog over populations a major issue, but I also think that measures can be taken to prevent intact females from becoming pregnant, it just takes a responsible owner. I know this is a touchy topic and others may have strong opinions. Lets try to keep this discussion friendly and informative. Thanks everyone!
Article- https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/three-reasons-to-reconsider-spayneuter/

We have done both fix and not fix.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I have always spayed my dogs at 6 months. I mostly keep females. Have 7 currently. Intact dogs are more likely to fight due to hormonal phases.

Decades ago those that I didn't spayed developed cancer. Both mammary. One died at 6 years old. I personally haven't seen any problems from spaying at 6 months. They heal up quickly.

I grew up in a time before spaying and neutering were normal. It wasn't good. Stray dogs, and dogs being put to sleep because the pounds were all full. They had gas chambers for efficiency. So sad. Now thanks to the push to spay and neuter the pounds around here are mostly empty.

The current research I have read says most breeds and females especially don't have problems. It's mostly the larger males of certain breeds.

There's no one right way. It all depends on you, your dog, and maybe your veterinarian.

Yeah I do think it definitely depends on the dog and I think smaller dogs as well as females tend to mature quicker so maybe less issues. I do find it quite interesting though. And I can absolutely see why you fix with a bunch of rhymes with witches around they don’t call them that for nothing! LOL

That said though, I am curious how much of the empty shelters is specifically spay/neuter versus people also just keeping their pets more contained now. Probably a bit of both I would imagine. I just know my dad always used to let his dogs roam when he was a kid because that’s what everybody did and even our first dog back in the 90s/early 2000s he did as well.

Whereas with Brew and others I know they’re always contained in some way whether that be a fence or a leash, e collar, crate, whatever. Minus any escapes of course but if that happens they’re looked for instead of they’ll come back when they want.

I imagine it is both though because down south where our area imports a lot of dogs from, they both let them roam and don’t really spay and neuter and they’re always full. But maybe it’s more country rather than just the south. But then you’re country too? Anyhow, I just find it really interesting and of course not trying to say it’s not the spaying or whatever but just curious/intrigued by it lol

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yeah I do think it definitely depends on the dog and I think smaller dogs as well as females tend to mature quicker so maybe less issues. I do find it quite interesting though. And I can absolutely see why you fix with a bunch of rhymes with witches around they don’t call them that for nothing! LOL

That said though, I am curious how much of the empty shelters is specifically spay/neuter versus people also just keeping their pets more contained now. Probably a bit of both I would imagine. I just know my dad always used to let his dogs roam when he was a kid because that’s what everybody did and even our first dog back in the 90s/early 2000s he did as well.

Whereas with Brew and others I know they’re always contained in some way whether that be a fence or a leash, e collar, crate, whatever. Minus any escapes of course but if that happens they’re looked for instead of they’ll come back when they want.

I imagine it is both though because down south where our area imports a lot of dogs from, they both let them roam and don’t really spay and neuter and they’re always full. But maybe it’s more country rather than just the south. But then you’re country too? Anyhow, I just find it really interesting and of course not trying to say it’s not the spaying or whatever but just curious/intrigued by it lol

Used to be everyone wanted male dogs, didn't fix them, and they roamed a lot. Always was stray dogs. We are rural, so we used to get dumped boxes of puppies in the ditch, or neighbors drowned pups and kittens. We too had accidental litters. Dogs weren't really given much vet care and shooting a dog was fairly common.

I think it's a cultural swing where dogs are now family, not something that needs to earn it's keep. Parts of this country still has problems. Probably areas where income is lower and vet care hard to find or afford. The dogs always pay unfortunately. I think that's why early spaying is done. That I'm not too keen on. Pups need to mature somewhat.

Where I live things are much different now. Just a few decades ago when I turned in stray dogs to the constable because we have no pound in the country he told me they held them for 7 days than they would shoot them if not claimed. Now you would go to jail for doing that thankfully.

I've experienced what happens when dogs aren't altered in a timely manner, and I do not want to bring any more puppies into this world. I'm not too keen on going through a heat either. It takes just a second and dogs slip away. I would just keep them all anyways. I respect others opinions on this. I might think differently if I was younger, and hadn't lived through the 70's.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Used to be everyone wanted male dogs, didn't fix them, and they roamed a lot. Always was stray dogs. We are rural, so we used to get dumped boxes of puppies in the ditch, or neighbors drowned pups and kittens. We too had accidental litters. Dogs weren't really given much vet care and shooting a dog was fairly common.

I think it's a cultural swing where dogs are now family, not something that needs to earn it's keep. Parts of this country still has problems. Probably areas where income is lower and vet care hard to find or afford. The dogs always pay unfortunately. I think that's why early spaying is done. That I'm not too keen on. Pups need to mature somewhat.

Where I live things are much different now. Just a few decades ago when I turned in stray dogs to the constable because we have no pound in the country he told me they held them for 7 days than they would shoot them if not claimed. Now you would go to jail for doing that thankfully.

I've experienced what happens when dogs aren't altered in a timely manner, and I do not want to bring any more puppies into this world. I'm not too keen on going through a heat either. It takes just a second and dogs slip away. I would just keep them all anyways. I respect others opinions on this. I might think differently if I was younger, and hadn't lived through the 70's.

This is all so interesting to me!! The family thing is so true! And keeps me in business the pet industry is growing extremely rapidly atm and has been for a little while. People are spending more and more on them too. Soooo much where they never would have before. They’re like children now for a lot I feel like. And I totally understand your perspective!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

This is all so interesting to me!! The family thing is so true! And keeps me in business the pet industry is growing extremely rapidly atm and has been for a little while. People are spending more and more on them too. Soooo much where they never would have before. They’re like children now for a lot I feel like. And I totally understand your perspective!!

It is interesting to go from a generation that saw dogs as filthy animals, or even livestock, to them taking over our houses, couches, and beds.

I think more people are becoming aware of how emotional and intelligent dogs can be. They are one of the few animals to choose human companionship over their own kind. Kinda a cool thing to know my dogs think so fondly of me.

 

[ShrekDawg]

It is interesting to go from a generation that saw dogs as filthy animals, or even livestock, to them taking over our houses, couches, and beds.

I think more people are becoming aware of how emotional and intelligent dogs can be. They are one of the few animals to choose human companionship over their own kind. Kinda a cool thing to know my dogs think so fondly of me.

Yeah I bet living through the change is even crazier hahah

And yes I believe they are! There’s even talking dogs now! They sell buttons to communicate and it is really quite impressive the way that they are able to. And it’s not just following a pattern or color or whatever, they’re actually seeking out specific words/buttons to press and using them contextually and everything and it’s so amazing to me. There’s some I follow on Instagram.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yeah I bet living through the change is even crazier hahah

And yes I believe they are! There’s even talking dogs now! They sell buttons to communicate and it is really quite impressive the way that they are able to. And it’s not just following a pattern or color or whatever, they’re actually seeking out specific words/buttons to press and using them contextually and everything and it’s so amazing to me. There’s some I follow on Instagram.

I don't doubt that. Mine know many words. Cookie being the most important after Momma.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I don't doubt that. Mine know many words. Cookie being the most important after Momma.

Yeah Brew knows a bunch too because I’ve been talking to him and naming everything since he was a baby. His favorite is squirrel and kitty cat