I've heard all the arguments both for and against castration (for dogs lol although I can think of a few people...) and I just can't do it. It seems very inhumane to me, extremely so. If I were a male dog, I'd much rather be sexually frustrated than scrotum-less. By the way, I regularly take Pinky my male retriever to the vet and even though it costs more maintenance wise, I'm pretty sure I'm doing the right thing by not castrating him.

What are your opinions about it? Do you disagree with it or do you think it has merits?

[Yogi]

I think the first question that arises from your post is are you referring to actual castration or are you talking about neutering. Castration is surgery to remove the testies. Neutering does not remove the testies, they will shrink up over time
A male that is not bred does greatly increase the chance of testicular cancer which can greatly shorten the dogs lifespan no matter how many times you take him to the vet. Neutering is a more simple procedure than castration and in the long run helps the dog with issues like marking and roaming during season. Especially if done at a young age prior to 6 months. Altered males can and do still mate with intact females but as neutered they cannot reproduce. I have had several males over the years that were altered and have lived long lives.
The choice is yours.

Originally Posted by Pebblehead

I've heard all the arguments both for and against castration (for dogs lol although I can think of a few people...) and I just can't do it. It seems very inhumane to me, extremely so. If I were a male dog, I'd much rather be sexually frustrated than scrotum-less. By the way, I regularly take Pinky my male retriever to the vet and even though it costs more maintenance wise, I'm pretty sure I'm doing the right thing by not castrating him.

What are your opinions about it? Do you disagree with it or do you think it has merits?

Im pretty much more satisfied with that... leave it to the experts..

castration similar to spaying...
I think this is done for some reason...
if you have a dog and not afford to have a lot of it can probably done...
but be sure that only vet will do this...

Originally Posted by Yogi

I think the first question that arises from your post is are you referring to actual castration or are you talking about neutering. Castration is surgery to remove the testies. Neutering does not remove the testies, they will shrink up over time
A male that is not bred does greatly increase the chance of testicular cancer which can greatly shorten the dogs lifespan no matter how many times you take him to the vet. Neutering is a more simple procedure than castration and in the long run helps the dog with issues like marking and roaming during season. Especially if done at a young age prior to 6 months. Altered males can and do still mate with intact females but as neutered they cannot reproduce. I have had several males over the years that were altered and have lived long lives.
The choice is yours.

Testicular cancer, can and does happen but it isn't something that is seen terribly often. Not breeding does increase the risk vs a dog that is allowed to breed, but not so much so that not neutering means the dog is absolutely going to get it. (its like a 1% risk isn't it?) There is only a small risk of testicular cancer so its really not "greatly increased" just a possibility.

Pediatric neuter increases the risk of osteosarcoma which is a cancer. So if done at 6 months or less you're actually increases a health risk, if you waited until the dog was around 1yr it wouldn't be effected by testicular cancer by that young age normally and wouldn't be at risk of osteosarcoma. Nuetering also increases the risk of other health issues too, if only by a small degree. There are more problems it increases then what neutering decreases, but any of those problems on either end are all very small risk. I think around 1%. The main problem is behavioral issues some people might have with intact dogs and the fact that so many people are irresponsible which leads to accidental litters.

The other reasons to not neuter so young are just looks and development not related to health. So unimportant to most pet owners.

The point that neutered males still breed females just goes to show that it doesn't curb all their behaviors. I've had intact dogs that were not some nightmare dog, like they are often descibed to be. Then I've seen neutered males which still know what a female in heat smells like, others that just wonder and like to roam. Which is a big problem, some people do the neuter just because they think its going to be a cure all or preventative for certain behaviors. Sometimes this behavior isn't related to being intact like humping out of dominance or roaming because they just like to escape and run free or they are bored. These owners should be more aware and responsible when getting a pet, instead of thinking that altering will mean their dog will grow up to be good and not have behavioral issues. I think the best thing is that they won't reproduce, even with an irresponsible owner. Pups from accidental breedings often end up in the shelter, dumped or go to homes where they probably won't be s/n either and just keep reproducing more and more.

As far as the OP I really don't think the dog cares if he is neutered or not. You're a human with a different thought process then a dog. They don't think like that. Dogs with docked tails don't say oh my tail is missing I really wish I had it. But if we had part of us removed we'd probably wish we had it, we recognize that we are different or missing something and not like others. Not to mention some people judge and stare. To a dog it is all the same. Just because a dog is intact also doesn't mean it is sexually frustrated. A lot I think really depends on your dog. I've heard of some crazy males, they were just crazy to breed and would do almost anything to get to a female. But then there many who are not this way at all, including males were have bred before but were not super crazy wanting to do it again.

[shihtzu]

If you remove the source of most of their testosterone, would it not affect their mood? You are removing an important chemical from their body, are they going to be less active and lively because they lack the chemical they once had?

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by shihtzu

If you remove the source of most of their testosterone, would it not affect their mood? You are removing an important chemical from their body, are they going to be less active and lively because they lack the chemical they once had?

In a word, NO. Males do not become less active nor moody. The problem stems from so many people ready stuff on the internet than posting it on a forum as to lead one to believe they know this for fact when they do not. I have 37 dogs, I have raised, bred and rescued for over 50 years and not one of my over 50 males in the past that were neutered (all at approximately 6 months) had any issues. These so called studies and research are based on but a few dogs over a short period of time. Like all other test studies, it is lacking all real information that is only seen over many years. Is a man after having a vasectomy less active. Not really, nor is a male dog that has been neutered. In many cases when around an intact female they will actually tie with them. Even when done at 6 months. Mine current neutered dogs are just as game as the ones that are not.

[Deafdogsrule]

Neutering is nothing like a vasectomy, a neutered dog IS a castrated dog, no testicles, very little testosterone, which is vital to a maturing dog. It HAS been scientifically proven that neutered dogs are at a 8% higher risk of Osteoscarcoma, AND prostate cancer. The risk for testicular cancer is really quite low, and easily cured (castrate them then).

But not only that, male puppies go through a "super Male" stage, at around 9 -15 months, where their testosterone levels are very high. In a pack setting, this leads to the other males bossing him around, beating him up for going near females in heat, and helps them learn appropriate manners. Some behaviourists argue that this stage is very important to a young male's mental developement, and should be allowed.

It's also argued that shy or nervous dogs in temperament, can lose what little confidence they had... which I have had experience with.

Not that I believe everyone should leave their males intact, many people cant, or shouldn't cope with an entire male. I choose to wait to spay and neuter my dogs, if I have a choice, I do believe it's healthier in the long run, I have the experience and ability to make sure no accidental litters will happen, and I am experienced with training dogs... I will never breed a dog, ever, yet I have a 2 yo intact female (though not for long) and will not casterate unless absolutely necessary. Casterating my boy Oliver at 6 month did not stop marking behaviours from developing, did not stop territorial aggression, and did not make him less aggressive, on the other hand, my Dachshund, who was not neutered until the age of 6 years, (I adopted him at the age of 6.5 years) has shown no signs of any of it...

Personal preferance, but I must say that most people do not have the ability or responsibility to prevent unwanted litters and therefor should have their dogs neutered and spayed.

[shihtzu]

This makes sense. I think when you read the information regarding castrating male humans then you get the truth.

My problems is that daycare facilities and dogparks won't let him in even though he is less aggressive than a neutered female.

[Deafdogsrule]

Unfortunately that's a problem. However, do you want someone else incharge of your intact male at a doggie daycare? what happens if they get a female in heat in that no one noticed? Or one a block away that your boy smells and takes off on the person walking him? I am EXTREMELY careful with my intact girl, first, she's a very unusual colour and that puts her at risk for theft for breeding purposes. Also, I dont trust that people are good enough to prevent accidental breedings, and would never let anyone look after my girl when she was in heat. thankfully, that wont be an issue any longer.

Re- dog parks. that is a very good policy, not because of aggression (intact males are not more aggressive than neutered males) but again, there is the chance that some idiot would bring in a female in heat, then you got problems... I've seen it happen, not pretty.

I dont go to dog parks, and I dont take my dogs to doggie daycare, as I dont trust other people with my dogs (I have dogs with behavioural issues, and disabilities... they have special needs, that I dont trust will be met) so I wont have that issue... just like I groom my own dogs, so I dont have to over vaccinate as they dictate, and I have 2 dogs that could never be boarded, so I dont travel unless the dogs come with... I live a very doggie lifestyle! LOL

[shihtzu]

You see, I wanted to find out if it was better from the dog's view point if he were neutered and I felt that despite the propaganda it just did not seem right that the dog would prefer being neutered or somehow it would have a healthier existence. They are mammals like us. They are used in experiments to find drugs and medical procedures for us. For the most part, if it is good for us; it is good for them.

I got my answer. It is not better for him to be neutered.

It would be easier and better for me and the human society as a whole. Not for him.

I appreciate being warned about the issues of reproduction considering that I am new at this. He does not run away. We are in an apartment.

And, I was never afraid of dogs until I got this dog. Now I see the bigger dogs, that I considered cute, close by and I see their teeth and I see the speed with which they react. Now, I am afraid. If you ask me, some of those bigger dogs (not all, I have seen the gentlest giants too) and even some little dogs should not live amongst people. Even a little dog has the teeth to cut your nerve and crush your bone if he is in the mood. But not this little dog. They have personalities. This one should not be neutered. He stands there as other dogs mount him for domination. He never bites. I try to get him to bite by playing with him and he goes back to licking. He is just this nonaggressive playful happy little thing.

I wish they had vasectomy for dogs. I will ask about that. That way, they can't have children but they keep the hormone.

[Deafdogsrule]

Originally Posted by shihtzu

I wish they had vasectomy for dogs. I will ask about that. That way, they can't have children but they keep the hormone.

Yes some vets will do a vasectomy on dogs, though it's really tough to do on small dogs, as the parts are smaller LOL. My vet will do them, and that is def. the route I'd go, if I ever had an intact male. and yes, you got the point I was making, it's not healthier to be casterated (neutered), but in many cases better. There is enough dogs in this world, without my dogs adding to it. but I want to keep my dogs as healthy as I can.