Fixing vs. Not Fixing your dogs

[Blooie]

Um, can I just say that I really hate the term, “fixing”? It implies that the animal is somehow broken.

As an animal health tech for many years, I’ve seen way too many results of NOT spaying or neutering. Hip dysplasia is primarily hereditary, which is why responsible owners get their dogs x-rayed and obtain their OFA certificates before they even consider using them in a breeding program. I just can’t buy into neutering or spaying as an outright cause of it.

@RosemaryDuck is absolutely correct when she relates what she’s seen, not to mention reducing the odds of mammary cancer, curbing aggression, and preventing territorial marking indoors. I would be willing to stick my neck out even further and add that a good 80% of closing-time emergencies (bringing in a dog hit by a car), occurred with intact animals. An intact male is more likely to put his nose to the ground and take off running at full tilt without paying any attention to that car coming around the curve. Deer and other wild animals do the same thing during the rut.

Are there risks of spaying and neutering causing other issues down the line? Of course. Only a fool would argue against that point. However, the scales tip strongly in favor of having the procedures done when you consider the preponderance of evidence listing one set of risks against the other set.

I currently own a neutered Golden Retriever and a spayed Irish Wolfhound. Every dog I’ve ever owned has been altered and I have no regrets.

May I add that this is a very interesting and enlightening thread.

 

[Weeg]

Honestly the biggest challenge to not fixing them is the blood they drip everywhere!!!

I can only imagine lol! Savoring the moments before Ember goes into her first heat....

 

[Weeg]

Um, can I just say that I really hate the term, “fixing”? It implies that the animal is somehow broken.

As an animal health tech for many years, I’ve seen way too many results of NOT spaying or neutering. Hip dysplasia is primarily hereditary, which is why responsible owners get their dogs x-rayed and obtain their OFA certificates before they even consider using them in a breeding program. I just can’t buy into neutering or spaying as an outright cause of it.

@RosemaryDuck is absolutely correct when she relates what she’s seen, not to mention reducing the odds of mammary cancer, curbing aggression, and preventing territorial marking indoors. I would be willing to stick my neck out even further and add that a good 80% of closing-time emergencies (bringing in a dog hit by a car), occurred with intact animals. An intact male is more likely to put his nose to the ground and take off running at full tilt without paying any attention to that car coming around the curve. Deer and other wild animals do the same thing during the rut.

Are there risks of spaying and neutering causing other issues down the line? Of course. Only a fool would argue against that point. However, the scales tip strongly in favor of having the procedures done when you consider the preponderance of evidence listing one set of risks against the other set.

I currently own a neutered Golden Retriever and a spayed Irish Wolfhound. Every dog I’ve ever owned has been altered and I have no regrets.

May I add that this is a very interesting and enlightening thread.

This is very good input, thank you for adding this! Really great info from a great source.

 

[cherrynberry]

For all of the intact female dog owners, any tips for keeping them without unwanted pregnancies? I don't think we're going to spay our Labrador, she's 10 months so could go into heat soon. So far I'm planning on keeping her tight, we bought toys, planning on walking more often (on a leash) and of course, we've got a few diapers on hand. She also eats homemade raw, and I've read maybe adding root veggies can help keep her fuller. Do any of you adjust the diet when there' in heat? Thanks for the help.
Any other suggestions?

Kiki is a little over 1 year old, closer to 2. She is an intact female. We have an intact male too. Kiki is going to get spayed really soon, but has gone through a few cycles already.

I think the most part is to keep them separate. I don't do anything TOO extra. Same feed, definitely less walking though. Honestly, its what has worked. I watch her 24/7, pretty much. Obviously, if you don't want a pregnant dog, don't let her roam outside freely. This can attract other males and all kinds of other stuff.

Honestly the biggest challenge to not fixing them is the blood they drip everywhere!!!

Oh yeah, that's an issue for sure. BUT, they actually do clean themselves some.

 

[Fallenone05]

I'm all for spaying and neutering animals. My neighbor doesn't get their dogs fixed and multiple females have ended up with their uteruses full of pus from infection due to their cervix staying open throughout the heat cycle and from so many times of being in heat.

My ex's dog ran away from home to get some booty multiple times, even growling and biting at my ex once he was found. Depending on if your male dog makes contact with a female in heat, I've seen females conveniently go missing when they're about to give birth.

I have cats that are both neutered because tomcat spray smells disgusting. Both boys are indoor only due to neighbors liking to play target practice with black cats, but I've seen so many feral kittens get run over or die, and toms getting into territory disputes and the infections and wounds from that are awful.

IMHO not getting them spayed or neutered is irresponsible, even if you intend to keep them away from a member of the opposite sex. Intact males will find a way to get to an intact female and vice versa - I've seen it way too many times.

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

Its up to you. I myself would not spayed my dog Pearl. She's almost 1 1/2. When its her time I pen her up and only take her out for walks. It works fairly well for me. Even though a fair amount of males come by. Last time we 2 labs a blue heeler. what looked like a dooverman pincer, and a boxerish dog. I just kept her penned up. She hates other dogs trespassing. So it works okay for me.

 

[chickentrains]

I recommend keeping them intact for 2 years for development reasons, then altering.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

I’d say I certainly understand the argument for not getting a dog spayed or neutered but i think in most cases it’s better get it done. Very few people have the dedication to properly care for an unfixed dog. Especially females. I do however agree with waiting until a dog is over a year for larger breeds though.
I’m going to preface this by saying I have nothing against anyone who chooses not to get their dog fixed and is responsible about it. But most people I’ve encountered in my area who are antispay or neuter don’t take the steps to be responsible and it ends terribly for the dogs. Had a friend who refused to get her dog neutered or make an attempt to fence him in and he ended up getting hit by a car. Next door neighbor insisted that it wasn’t natural and then let her female dogs have dozens of litters either dumping them at the pound before they were weaned or just letting them run free and inbreed. We had to start shooting them this year because the pack started attacking people in their own yards and there’s no animal control out here.
So please unless you know you are going to be able to do the extra work please just get your animal neutered. I wish I didn’t feel the need to say this but it’s a huge problem in our area and these aren’t isolated cases just two personal examples from this year. I could pull dozens more from the local paper and town Facebook pages.

 

[cassie]

In my opinon spaying causes cancer and an early death.
I would just let nature take its course.
Dogs survived for hundreds of years in the wild without vaccines or any medical treatmeant!

If dying at 20 means an early death, I guess you are right. As for cancer, a spayed or neutered dog will not succumb to uterine or testicular cancer, and a dog spayed before her first heat is very unlikely to get breast cancer.

I have to agree with this. I do a lot of research on holistic care etc, so don't do a lot of vaccines, and other things. Thanks for your opinion.

You might change your opinion on vaccines if you ever had the misfortune of trying to save the life of a dog or puppy with parvo or distemper.

 

[Hannahnic14]

We fixed our dogs for the following reasons: less chance of reproductive related cancers but also because our male dog would wander really bad before he was fixed. I really didn't want him getting someones dog pregnant. Lol He also marked everything he came in contact with (inside or out) With our 3 females I don't want male dogs from all over the country smelling them in heat, and risk them getting hurt. I have 2 large females but a small female as well, she could very well be killed by a large male dog. We also don't have a desire for puppies so we don't have a need for intact dogs. My humble opinion!