Castration... been done to the death...

KJJ

KJJ

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I know this is a subject that has been discussed to the death.. but your views please..

I refer to "Fluffy Plums" as 'them'.. although they really aren't fluffy!! YUCK

If the dog is not going to be used for breeding does he need them
If he is not a problem being entire does should he have them off
Will the dog change if he has them off
Will the light in his eyes go if he has them off
Is he likely to change the older he gets if he has them still

Just your general ves please... don't mind a debate but no arguing RIGHT!!!
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IMO best to castrate if you're not planning to breed. Will prevent the dog getting the ever increasing testicular cancer plus other 'urges' if done soon enough.
He may become slightly more laid back when done, or he may not - affects dogs in different ways but I'd say you're more likely to see an improvement in his behaviour rather than the reverse.
His lights won't go out!!
If he keeps his bits then as he get older his chances of getting testicular cancer increases.
 
We never castrated big Windsor. We did breed from him twice with our other lab Tina, but apart from that we just didn't do it.

He didn't run around humping everything, didn't chase bitches although could be aggressive towards other male dogs. He was always very headstrong but then again, I think he just would have always been like that. Windsor loved being right.

He'd be sent to retrieve a bird, but instead of going where told he'd go where he thought it had landed. Lo and behold when he got to the spot he thought was right, the bird wouldn't be there so he'd try to sneak round to the correct place then double back on himself as if to say 'Ha! I told you it was over there!' before dropping it triumpantly at your feet.
 
Hello you it's Polaris but I had to change my user name as forgot my password...blahhhhhhhhhh
Saw Finny's 1 year piccies! stunning!
Anyway...we had Hazzie puppy cut and it did not change his character one bit except stave the frustration. He was dropping condition as was hell bent on exercising solidly to track the bitches in season down. In our neighbourhood many people thought it o.k to have loose unspayed bitches in season. He was getting painfully thin. Best thing we did though costly at £220!
Worth it!
They will only put on weight if you let them and a cut in food/increased exercise sorts that.
Overall a top decision. Hazzie was never a breeding prospect.

Here you go some piccies of after and look at the lights it the little so and so's eyes....He's just chased a fox!


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speed demon!

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with my 9 year old neice

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There you go! Big squish to the Finn meister!
 
Hello
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Well - I have recently changed my mind on this one - and i reckon there is alot to be said for hearing the views of both sides and then making an informed choice based on your personal circumstances.

Possibly controversially I plan to keep my dog entire but don't ever plan on breeding him (I could explain why, but that would probably cause further debate
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). I believe that I will be able to manage my dog and the reading I have done makes me think that the benefits to his health from being kept entire outweight the risks - although I can see the arguement either side. I know others will disagree - but thats my opinion. i have met a vet that totally disagrees with me and one that is completely supportive - so that says it all really! opinion is very divided!

However - I would not advocate people keeping their dogs entire unless they are 100% sure they are able to manage them - have them well trained and are sure they can deal with it.

Another caveat - I might, in the future be prepared to have my dog castrated if for any reason my situation or his changes eg. If he became agressive (I don't think he will) or if there were health reasons.

Hope that explains my point of view.
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Widget that was exactly what our vet said. Trouble is my dog was manageable but unfortunately the loose bitches were not so we castrated at 2 years old. Our dog was is and was non aggressive. A lot of vets think it is unecessary and it's a good and fair point.
 
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Possibly controversially I plan to keep my dog entire but don't ever plan on breeding him (I could explain why, but that would probably cause further debate
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Well we had no problems really with Windsor. he wasn't unmanageable. I walked him when I was a child and he's a big dog!

Your boy is sooo beautiful though, if you were over here I would consider him for our Cindy when she's old enough. (Talk about planning ahead. She's only 11 weeks!)

What's his breeding? And how come you won't breed from him? You can PM me if you prefer! Sorry, I'm going off on such a tangent. (And being bl**dy nosey!
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Thanks a million guys! He's a big smelly tinker stinker that is stubborn as a mule and untidy as anything no matter how much you groom him but we love the stink!
 
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Possibly controversially I plan to keep my dog entire but don't ever plan on breeding him (I could explain why, but that would probably cause further debate
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).

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Well we had no problems really with Windsor. he wasn't unmanageable. I walked him when I was a child and he's a big dog!

Your boy is sooo beautiful though, if you were over here I would consider him for our Cindy when she's old enough. (Talk about planning ahead. She's only 11 weeks!)

What's his breeding? And how come you won't breed from him? You can PM me if you prefer! Sorry, I'm going off on such a tangent. (And being bl**dy nosey!
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Don't mind you knowing his breeding
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he is a very well bred boy
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I will PM you
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and I agree - he is beautiful
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But as to why I wouldn't - he has an umbilical hernia and they are hereditary...
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plus - I don't yet know his hip score - but I would hope it would be good as his parents had good scores.
 
Very wise decision. So many people would go on ahead and breed of him just to try and make some money. I love the expression on his face in your 2nd sig pic...it justs says please mum can I have some more?!
 
Have to admit I am for the op' for several reasons but also because of our situation. In your case, it makes life so much simpler if you want to take him away/out and their bitch just happens to be in season, that can be a real pain both for you and frustrating for the dogs, no fun at all.

Ben, the Border Terrier was done at a year old because although he's a well made dog, he only has a single coat which is against breed standard, and simply because he was the only dog in our family and it was much easier than having to shut him away every time something was in season. I don't like to do bitches unless there is a health reason when of course it would be done, but to me, it is far more invasive surgery and also a lot more expensive than doing a dog! Saying that, Ben still goes through the motions when something is in season (Weasel is ATM) although he can't achieve anything, he lives in hope I think, it's never stopped him trying!
We have had three of Tess's boys done and they were done this spring at 15 months old as a 'job lot'!!
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So far, not one of those has shown the slightest interest in her and she is 'standing' now, so all is calm on that front which is a big relief. Legend, hopefully will have his wicked way with Widget shortly and then he will be done as it is the last time she can have a register-able litter (he is a complete pain in the a*se when anything is in season), Monty, the last of the boys, will also be done if I can persuade M to cough up for it - that will be the hardest part!
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It hasn't changed any of their characters, they are all as soft as muck and a pleasure to take out. You also know that if neighbours' farm dogs are on heat they'll not be bothering about them so our conscience is clear if anything should get at them. Besides, the roads are far too busy to let any dogs out to ramble now, we always like to know where ours are (usually on the sofa!) unlike some neighbours I could mention.
The peace of mind we get from having ours done, far outweigh any advantages; tbh, you'd have a very hard job to persuade us otherwise.
It's interesting to note that when they do go in to be done, the men in this family go very quiet and keep crossing their legs which I find a hoot!
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Thanks W.

Yes, we wait until they have to a point, matured naturally! It seems to be much easier for them then. Our vet collected them Saturday breakfast time, took them all to work with him, had them done by 11.30 then all hell broke loose there and he finished operating and went home at 2AM! The boys kipped on his sofa with his own dogs and he brought them back next morning! That's what you call a great mate!
I think I was a bit too early with Ben (just a year) and that could be why he still tries it on but at that time,we were just due to have 4 bitches on heat and it seemed the simplest and kindest way for him as with 4 in heat, it seems to drag on for months; it wouldn't have been fair on him and nerve wracking for us cos one of us would have been bound to have forgotten to keep them apart!
 
Your vet sounds great
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Better to have them neutered than an accidental litter tho - so can understand why you had Ben done early. Even though am all for keeping them entire where is possible and feasible - am much more against unplanned litters!

oh - forgot to say - love the comment about the men in the house... my OH gets all 'leg crossy' at the thought of dog castrations
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(That's not why we are keeping Loki's nuts on tho
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we have recently got a 5yr old entire male boxer to keep our 4yr old neutered bitch company. he kept trying to hump her and every other female out on walks so i castrated him and he has not changed at all in other parts of his personality, but does eem elss interested in females now. i tend to leave it up to people to make the decision - i advise them of the health risks/benefits etc and let them make up their minds. i dont railroad people either way. with bitches i always recommend speying as i've seen far too many dogs die of mammary cancer and pyo's.
 
Neither of my dogs are castrated.

They never try and hump bitches, the only thing my Saint can sometimes hump, is my Labrador!

They are both friendly with other dogs, happy and healthy.
 
LOVING the wolfhound, he's so photogenic it's untrue!

I always have my dogs neutered and it hasn't altered them one bit. Alf is still as feisty as he was before he was done, and he had to wait 'til 18 months as his testicles hadn't descended, he's not at all fat although he is a lazy git but then he is a lurcher
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Dillon the collie was done at 1 year and is as mad as a hen still, solid as a rock with muscles as he tears around non stop. They both have lovely natures and I don't have the constant worry that they will break out if there is a bitch is on heat nearby like my neighbours dog does.

Plus, sorry all you entire dogs out there, they get so dangly and unattractive as they age if they are active dogs, a bit like old men!
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Had my mini schnauzer done when he was about one as he liked to hump other dogs.... any size and either sex!!!!

It cured all the problems so a success but it has altered his coat and instead of being wiry it is silky and now mats terribly. He hates being combed so has to have a very un-schnauzer like haircut
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I still think he is lovely though!!!
 
You could do a poll! I am a big exponent of castration; it is nicer for the dog and the owners. It makes a dog into a nicer pet, IMHO and that of most vets you ask. Blokes are usually reluctant, but that is a man thing...
 
Is your horse a gelding? Has the light gone out of his eyes?

I prefer bitches but I have had a couple of dogs, and both had their bollocks off. Can't really see what the big deal is myself.
 
Thanks everyone...

OH doesn't want Finns nads chopped...

I don't want a sex mad dog!!

Was stopped at the E&O show this weekend and asked if I would stud Finn out to their bitch.. I declined.. OH would have said yes but kept quiet as Finner is my dog!!

Widget - what are you reasons to keep entire? PM if you prefer and don't want a public debate!!! LOL
 
all depends on your dog, i have a resce rottie and he will not put weight on at all which is because we are feeding his hormones, and constantly scent marks. i dont think he would bother with a bitch but will mount dogs to dominat them. i will be getting him done purely because i am fed up with having a skinny rottie..
 
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Thanks everyone...

OH doesn't want Finns nads chopped...

I don't want a sex mad dog!!

Was stopped at the E&O show this weekend and asked if I would stud Finn out to their bitch.. I declined.. OH would have said yes but kept quiet as Finner is my dog!!

Widget - what are you reasons to keep entire? PM if you prefer and don't want a public debate!!! LOL

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I don't mind the debate
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Anyway - is all just personal opinion/ preference and everyone will have a different situation.

I will keep entire because:
1. I have a labrador - they are prone to weight gain as it is, never mind once they castrated. I know you just feed them less - but as food is their life.....

2. My pupster isn't sex mad - and all of the entire labradors we meet are very chilled and not sex mad. If he did start humping alot I might have to rethink the decision...

3. I wouldn't castrate until he was 18 months anyway - he needs his hormones while he is still growing.

4. Labradors have a double coat - taking away the hormones through castration can change a dog's coat...

5. Why do I need to take away his balls for my convenience? If he is not agressive, not humping everything and happy and healthy - why castrate for the sake of it?

6. We don't have lots of stray bitches in season wandering around - if we did then i would have to reconsider.

7. I can manage my dog. If I think I can't manage his behaviour or we have any heath or behavioural issues linked to the fact that he is entire - I will reconsider castration.

8. i am not going to breed from him - keeping him entire will not result in lots of unplanned litters.

Anyway - am not against castration - although i don't like it in really young dogs.... I mean you wouldn't give a 10 year old a vasectomy would you? They wouldn't mature properly without the testosterone... How is this different with dogs?

anyway - as I said before - I have spoken to a vet who advised castration for the usual reasons - and another one who said "if the dog isn't causing you any problems and you are happy to keep him enire - then I see no need to castrate."

So opinion differs - these are my reasons - they are not for everyone.
 
Thanks Chick... see this is my dilemma...

Finn is a good lad at present and I have no issues with him being entire - my only worry is that he may become a problem and would it be too late by then? i.e you can't change them back... hmmmm
 
When you say can't change back - do you mean sexual behaviour? Humping etc?

Cos I think that depends on the dog - some people have said that castration sorted the problem and others have said it didn't stop their dog humping..

I reckon (although stand to be corrected!) that it depends if the sexual behaviour is learnt or whether they are just responding to natural urges... cos if is learnt then you would have to 'unlearn' but if is just responding to urges then that would be 'cured' by castration....

Also guess the same is true about agression...
 
am not really the best person to ask
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but am sure someone on here posted about how their entire dogs lives happily with bitches (all not neutered) - they only have to separate them when the bitches are in season... I also know of others who do this and never have accidental litters...

So - is not as if the dogs are humping/ trying it on the whole time - is only with bitches in season (they are responding to the scent)...

incidentally - I personally would not keep un neutered male and female dogs together as I don't think I am experienced enough in the female cycle in bitches!

anyway - am sure others have more experience than me. But your boy is going through his teenage phase isn't he? And if he is being good now - he doesn't sound like he is sex mad?!
 
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