Should I castrate my boy?

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Farma

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My dog is now 1 and he is my first dog - he is lovely and I have absolutely no probs with him on/off lead, with other dogs, people etc he has a beautiful nature. I never had any thoughts about castrating him because I havent seen any need to BUT a veterinary nurse told me the other day that when he gets to about 6 or so there is a whopping 98% chance he could develop tumours?? Is that right? Obviously I want to do whats best for him but would much rather not castrate him if I can help it.
 
I don't know if the chances are that high (someone on here will know better than me) but certainly if his bits aren't there there is no chance at all of it happening. I am very much of the opinion unless a dog is of top quality breeding stock then neuter it whether it be male or female :)
 
I think those statistics are a bit off.

Maybe 9% chance but TBH often a scrotal lump is a pointer to growths elsewhere so, yes, removing the testes does prevent them getting tumours but on the other hand a tumour on the testes can be an early warning of problems elsewhere.

If you keep your dog properly controlled, have no testosterone related behaviour problems, and can be certain he will never get to mate a bitch he can keep his bits.
 
I would say off! working in a vets I have seen a huge rise of prostate problems in entire males, some to far gone to do anything about.
I have also boarded 2 entire dogs recently where owners have missed the signs and I have taken them in for a check to find they both had prostate problems, the bedlingtons very bad, he has been through hell pain/health wise to get it removed.
I have never had any behavioural issues with any of my dogs but I have still eneutered them.
 
I would take them off. It's such an easy procedure for the boys.

I realised today that the sight of a dogs balls makes me feel sick! I'm just not used to seeing them anymore!
 
My view is if it ain't broke, then don't fix it. All my dogs are entire.

There is a risk that I may develop breast cancer, cancer of the cervix, bowel cancer, liver cancer and so on.....but I ain't going to have my boobs, cervix, bowel and liver removed without reason. If I see warning signs in my dogs/myself then I take action, otherwise I leave well alone.
 
I have never, and would never, castrate a dog, without very sound medical reasons for so doing, and even then, I'd consider the dog's future.

Vets and their staff, are generally the very last people to seek advice from, when it comes to the management of your dog.

Strangely, all my dogs, have always done their level best to hump another castrated male!! I've yet to work out why! Possibly because they've been emasculated.

Alec.
 
Thanks for all the replies it seems people are quite split in opinion - I had the same view as gunnergundog but def take on board that there is a risk - maybe some more thinking is in order. God its hard being so inexperienced!!
 
gunnergundog said:
My view is if it ain't broke, then don't fix it. All my dogs are entire.

There is a risk that I may develop breast cancer, cancer of the cervix, bowel cancer, liver cancer and so on.....but I ain't going to have my boobs, cervix, bowel and liver removed without reason. If I see warning signs in my dogs/myself then I take action, otherwise I leave well alone.
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I would submise the nurse advising the OP was talking about testicular tumours, this is indeed is not very easy to spot via the untrained eye, as more commonly u will actually see a very small difference between the size of the testicles thats commonly the first and sometimes the only sign with cancer of the testicles, unlike us woman who can commonly feel pain or a lump, we can speak out, a dog ain't gonna say "hey mother me balls are aching or when I was licking them one looks bigger than the other";)
We also need some of those vital organs you speak of, unlike testicles.
I have detected no end of problems in dogs just grooming them that the owner had no clue, esp long coated breeds.
Just another take:)

Not that I disagree with your choice of course, each to their own, just think it a little odd to compare a set of testicles to a human liver.

OP there is no problem keeping the boy entire, just be aware of the health risks and how best to spot them.
 
Thanks for that Cayla you make a very valid viewpoint which is exactly what I needed to hear.
Im looking at him now the back end of his body is white with little black balls hanging out - will be weird them not being there any more!
 
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