Help settle a point of disagreemnt for me...

[thatkindofgirl]

I prefer to not neuter or spay adult dogs due the the face of metabolism slows down and they gain weight faster. If younger they begin to cope with the situation and you have a better chance to still train them as a watch dog and control their food intake.

I had a 95lbs pitt/rott mix who was 6 years old neutered. He escaped the yard and knocked up next doors female lab. So i had to cut his man hood. Well in a short year he went right up to 120lbs.


I say its all in the owners preference just like micro-chipping.

I was going to make a point that was just proven here.. The fact that male dogs tend to get into testosterone mode during breeding season and want to escape to breed.. This leaves not only the pet owner to deal with a lost dog, but the potential to be hit by a car, stolen, etc..... It's really just not worth it IMO........

If weight gain becomes a problem, portion the food and watch their weight... That's part of life, it's not a huge deal.

Not to mention the extremely high risk of mammary cancers the occurs in female dogs, and prostate issues that males can have when they are not spayed/neutered...

With regard to our new male dog (who in case you haven't read his thread is a 2 year old Japanese Mastiff x Bulldog).

I believe he should be neutered. I've always kept dogs that were spayed or neutered and feel it makes for a better pet. Also I think this dog will be an even more balanced, attentive home protection animal if he is not stressed by the drive to breed.

My husband on the other hand, while agreeing somewhat with me, is concerned it will make this male dog lazy and less alert. Mike is also concerned with how hard this might be on a fully mature male dog. I'm not sure on this point since all my previous dogs were fixed as puppies.

So what's your opinion. I have a call into the vet clinic to book his neutering and would like to put my husband's worries to rest about this procedure. I'm especially interested in those of you that do own some of the stronger natured, protective breeds. Did you get your male dogs altered? If so did you see any major change in how they help you care for your home's security?

I'm not claiming to be an expert by any means, this is just what I have noted in my experience. I have been in the field as a vet tech for 5+ years and I work at 2 completely different clinics (day practice and emergency) and see dogs all day in and out.

Let me start by saying that an un-neutered male dog is the biggest pain in the clinic because they find the need to mark EVERYTHING!! Not every single one, but 9/10 seems about right. 2 years old is not old by any means, and yes, the surgery can take a bigger tole on an older dog, but that is not the case here... Now is a perfect time to get the job done.

No, it is not going to make your dog less alert and lazy, that comes with age, not whether he has "his manhood" or not..........

There's my 2 cents...