Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

confused about neutering..

  • 25-04-2013 9:29pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73 ✭✭


    Good evening all,

    I have two Jack russels, both male 7 months old and brothers.. i have rang a few different vets getting prices for neutering.. my own vet and a few more gave a price and told me book in a week in advance.. however i spoke to another vet who said as they were brothers that they had to be neutered 6 weeks apart or they will fight each other afterwards if neutered together...

    Im totally confused as to what to do, i want to get them neutered as we have no plans to breed them and my vet told me they can suffer from a prostate problem when they are older... I want to do what is best for my dogs...

    Has anyone been in this situation or have any advise please..

    Thanks


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    From reading some well thought out posts from regulars on here I would be inclined to wait until they are fully grown (probably 12 months) especially for males. It helps with growth. On the other matter of 6 weeks I've never heard of it. Did the vet offer you reading material?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,124 ✭✭✭wolfpawnat


    According to my vet student boyfriend (finishing 4th year this week) there is nothing they have studied that states they would fight. He found that baffling.

    The recommended age to neuter a dog is 6 months. The longer you leave it, the more testosterone they have in their system, the more likely they are to be aggressive!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73 ✭✭skyline1515


    No reading material other than a tip sheet to having a puppy, and all that was on it about neutering was that they have to be six months old or older, but he advised six months... i want to do what is right for my dogs and not cause them any stress from this...

    so would it be better for the dogs to leave them till they are a year old?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,189 ✭✭✭boomerang


    I suppose it's because they can be a bit crotchety and sore after the op, so having them both out of sorts at the same time might be a recipe for trouble unless you're keeping a close eye. They might annoy each other with the cones, as well. I'd also prefer not to be have to minding two dogs, post-op - one is more than enough to look after at a time, I think!

    Personally I prefer to neuter as young as possible, within reason. The recovery is faster and they're not as out of sorts. But at seven months I don't think another few months will matter.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,124 ✭✭✭wolfpawnat


    No reading material other than a tip sheet to having a puppy, and all that was on it about neutering was that they have to be six months old or older, but he advised six months... i want to do what is right for my dogs and not cause them any stress from this...

    so would it be better for the dogs to leave them till they are a year old?

    The reach sexual maturity at 5-7 months, so 6 months is when ANY competent vet would recommend. It is up to you, but I would suggest doing it sooner rather than later.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73 ✭✭skyline1515


    wolfpawnat wrote: »
    According to my vet student boyfriend (finishing 4th year this week) there is nothing they have studied that states they would fight. He found that baffling.

    The recommended age to neuter a dog is 6 months. The longer you leave it, the more testosterone they have in their system, the more likely they are to be aggressive!

    I had never heard of it either but as im new to owning dogs, i got worried when she said it to me as no one else had done so... They are nipping at each other lately and humping which causes one to snap at the other, so im thinking is it time to take them in...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73 ✭✭skyline1515


    boomerang wrote: »
    I suppose it's because they can be a bit crotchety and sore after the op, so having them both out of sorts at the same time might be a recipe for trouble unless you're keeping a close eye. They might annoy each other with the cones, as well. I'd also prefer not to be have to minding two dogs, post-op - one is more than enough to look after at a time, I think!

    Personally I prefer to neuter as young as possible, within reason. The recovery is faster and they're not as out of sorts. But at seven months I don't think another few months will matter.

    My boyfriend and i have agreed to change our days off work so the dogs will be not be alone for at least 4-6 days after the op, i don't mind looking after them, i just didn't want to ignore what the one vet said and have to separate the dogs or re-home one, it would break my heart ..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,124 ✭✭✭wolfpawnat


    I had never heard of it either but as im new to owning dogs, i got worried when she said it to me as no one else had done so... They are nipping at each other lately and humping which causes one to snap at the other, so im thinking is it time to take them in...

    Oh yes, they are feeling the urges! When boys become sexually mature they get aggressive and rowdy, same as teen boys :D I would get them seen to soon were it me! Leave it too long, and it may take a while to get rid of testosterone and with two males, that would make them more likely to argue!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73 ✭✭skyline1515


    wolfpawnat wrote: »
    Oh yes, they are feeling the urges! When boys become sexually mature they get aggressive and rowdy, same as teen boys :D I would get them seen to soon were it me! Leave it too long, and it may take a while to get rid of testosterone and with two males, that would make them more likely to argue!

    Typical males lol, my mind is at rest now, thank you for all the advice.. must make the appointment and take them in.. and stack up on treats and toys ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,354 ✭✭✭borderlinemeath


    The research behind leaving a dog until he is fully grown before neutering is relevant to large/giant breeds. The risk can be that when the dog gets neutered the lack of testosterone can accelerate the speed of bone growth and lead to osteosarcoma/bone cancer.

    The likes of a JRT would be a lesser risk at 6 months than a GSD who has far longer limbs and has a lot more growing to do from puppyhood. The below article is referring to rotties but any large or giant breed is at a higher risk than toy or small breed dogs.

    http://www.vetcancerspecialists.com/resources/osteosarcoma/


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 485 ✭✭Mo60


    I had two of my dogs, both male but unrelated, neutered together on the same day. There were no problems between them and they were back to normal within a day or two.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 672 ✭✭✭Ms Tootsie


    Our vet was pretty strict he wouldnt neuter large or giant breeds until 12 months due to the risks that can later develop. For medium, small and toy dogs anytime from 6 months on is perfectly fine. As others said the longer you leave it the longer he might develop the habits associated with testosteron anyway - humping, aggression etc.

    As for getting them both done at the time while I have never heard the 6 weeks thing I would suggest leaving a few weeks between the two so you can allow one to recover and give you time to each of them individually. Dogs can be pretty grumpy, very sore, tender and generally not themselves for up to 10 days after a neutering op.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,456 ✭✭✭westies4ever


    i think the recommendation is to neuter small breeds at 6 months (as they mature more quickly) and larger breeds at 12 months or maturity.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,378 ✭✭✭ISDW


    I have no scientific reasoning for this, but I would neuter them both on the same day. Then I would have two dogs that were quiet, not one dog who was feeling sore and wanting quiet, and one lively pup wanting to play and antagonise him. Do you have crates for them OP?


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,795 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    Just to add one thing to the mix here. There seem to be a number of vets, and others out there who are brainwashing owners into feeling that if they don't neuter their pet, they're some sort of failure, they're not a good owner etc.
    Ok, if you don't neuter your dog, and allow him or her to roam, or don't have a secure garden, then yes, this is irresponsible. But otherwise, what's the rush? Or indeed, the necessity?
    The research into the effects of early neutering on dogs is very young.... 2009 if I recall correctly. Up to that, vets were routinely neutering Rotties and other large breeds without a second thought. I would worry that at this point, we simply don't know whether neutering smaller breeds, or females, prior to X age is harmful or not. Just because we don't know, doesn't give us carte blanche to whip their bits off, whilst telling the owner this is the best thing for their dog. Until we DO know, I would be slow to neuter any dog, of any size, prior to 1yr of age... And even then, unless he had testosterone-fuelled behavioural problems, I'm not so sure I'd neuter him at all.... Bearing in mind that my dogs will never get a chance to stray. This does not make me a bad owner.
    The health risks of leaving a male, or indeed female dog intact are by and large very, very small: they have been shamelessly over-emphasised and exaggerated by the pro-neuter lobby. The misinformation given to owners can be pretty jaw-dropping. In this instance, for instance, I'm pretty sure I've read in the research papers that some prostate problems can increase in neutered dogs!
    As for leaving a 6 week gap because they're brothers.... What? Just.... What?
    Neutering a young male dog just because he's started humping a cushion is just.... Madness! It's natural, normal developmental behaviour, which even female pups and neutered males do. Now, by all means, if the young male is humping to a problematical extent, deal with it then, but most pups will eventually stop doing it with a bit of distraction training. But to race off to the vet at the first sign of such behaviour is premature.
    Pups will growl and bite, and if you find that they start to fight as adults (the chances of this are higher in same-sex pairings, higher again if they're related), then the normal procedure is to neuter the less bullyish dog. This often resolves the problem. However, if both males are neutered before any adult problem behaviours are showing, then you've nowhere to go: they're both neutered, therefore both too "even", and the chances of having to get rid of one substantially increased. You will not know which one to get neutered until, and if, a problem appears. For the record, the vast majority of inter-dog aggression which occurs outside the home is not caused by testoterone, but by fear and lack of adequate socialisation.
    So, that I hope puts another spin on things. I am pro-neutering to an extent, I used to he much more so until I started to take a more objective view (and read the research). I think we need a little more perspective when it comes to neutering, until we know more.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 107 ✭✭Ailishcrehan


    Neutering the dogs earlier will reduce the chances of them developing unwanted behaviour such as marking their territory...as they develop, they do begin marking and it becomes a hard cycle to break so getting the snip before this starts is recommended. Personally, I would get the two of them done together because as someone else posted, you won't have the worry of one feeling fine and trying to play with the other who has just had surgery!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 676 ✭✭✭qvsr46ofgc792k


    Good evening all,

    I have two Jack russels, both male 7 months old and brothers.. i have rang a few different vets getting prices for neutering.. my own vet and a few more gave a price and told me book in a week in advance.. however i spoke to another vet who said as they were brothers that they had to be neutered 6 weeks apart or they will fight each other afterwards if neutered together...

    Im totally confused as to what to do, i want to get them neutered as we have no plans to breed them and my vet told me they can suffer from a prostate problem when they are older... I want to do what is best for my dogs...

    Has anyone been in this situation or have any advise please..

    Thanks

    My pup is now 7 months old and this is something I have looked into for the past few months.

    I find the information I am recieving to be very contradicting to be honest.

    I have deiced against neuutering him. Reason being is that I now believe, from the research i have done, that the reason neuturing your dog is promoted so much is to keep the dog population down and controlled. I feel a lot of the information is just scare mongoring.

    That's just my two cents.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 107 ✭✭Ailishcrehan


    Aside from the obvious reason for neutering...controlling the population, have you considered the other dangers associated with having un-neutered male dogs? They are far more likely to fight and have aggression issues (particularly siblings!), they are far more likely to roam and thus be in danger of getting injured/hit by cars, they are more likely to suffer from prostate related illness/cancer, training them will be more difficult, they will get frustrated..Its not scare mongering, its a reality that you most likely will face!!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10 stusawop


    Agree with DBB (forum Guru:D)
    You might find the following links interesting reading.
    Microsoft Word - LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs May 14 2007.doc - LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

    SNBehaviorBoneDataSnapShot.doc - SNBehaviorBoneDataSnapShot.pdf

    Don't Make This Mistake When Scheduling Your Dog's Neutering Procedure

    As always, it's your choice and the decision should be based on what is best for your dogs and their health. I know that shelters and vets probably advise to neuter and spay erring on the side of caution to prevent unwanted puppies but if you are sure you can be a responsible owner then I think you should be free to make a choice.
    Personally I probably would lean more to having a female spayed ( after all I am a male:p) because of ( from my limited reading) health benefits. I would add that I have owned two intact male Golden Retrievers from the same litter ...lived until they were 15 and 16 without any "aggro" and then two intact male homeless dogs (Border Collie and Retriever X who lived to 12 and 16. Presently have an intact male Collie/Retriever


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,978 ✭✭✭jimf


    imho it would be easier to have both done the same day then you will 2 rather sedate dogs for a few days rather than 1 who wants to play and 1 who just wishes he would pee off and leave him alone i was always of the opinion the sooner the better once the testes had fully developed because of the surge of testosterone at that age just be careful after they may not be able to do any damage to themselves with their collars but may be able to damage each other


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,795 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    Aside from the obvious reason for neutering...controlling the population

    I'm afraid that this will evetually be proven to just not be true. It should, you'd imagine, stop unwanted pups, but in truth, the type of person who allows their bitch have unwanted litters simply could not be bothered neutering. It's an unforunate contradiction, that it's the owners who would never allow their dog or bitch get into a position to reproduce that are getting their dogs neutered. In other words, it's the wrong people who are neutering their dogs, from a population control point of view.
    If anyone doubts this, I'd invite you to ring any dog rescue you like in the country. They'll all tell you that despite subsidised neutering programs and education campaigns, they're taking in as many pups and dogs as they ever did. Maybe more.
    associated with having un-neutered male dogs? They are far more likely to fight and have aggression issues (particularly siblings!),

    Not true. Whilst testosterone might fuel some kinds of aggression, it's not often the cause of it. As I said above, the vast majority of aggression, especially towards humans and dogs outside the home, is caused by undersocialisation.
    The aggression between siblings occurs in as many neutered dogs as it does intact dogs, in my experience, it is not caused by testosterone. If it is testosterone that "causes" aggression between siblings, why is it that sibling bitches are a far more dangerous combination, as adults, than males?
    they are far more likely to roam and thus be in danger of getting injured/hit by cars,

    Not if they're in a properly secured garden, as all dogs should be, neutered or intact.
    They are more likely to suffer from prostate related illness/cancer,

    The risk of prostate cancer in dogs is very low anyway. The risk if testicular cancer is also low. The risk of other prostatic disorders (such as prostatitis) INCREASES in neutered dogs.
    This health scaremongering is the lynchpin of the pro-neutering lobby, but I'm afraid when you look a little deeper, at the actual size of the risk in the first place, you'll find that the risks have been hugely exaggerated by the lobbyists. This is a shame, because it utterly discredits their word.
    training them will be more difficult,

    What? Evidence please? You'd better get onto police forces, customs units, prison services, search and rescue organisations, and sheepdog trainers, and gundog trainers to tell them this!

    they will get frustrated

    Some dogs will, some won't. They're more likely to get frustrated if living with an intact bitch, or near to one. That said, I know many a neutered male who experience frustration when bitches nearby come into heat too.
    ..Its not scare mongering, its a reality that you most likely will face!!!

    With all due respect, it is scaremongering, the same stuff spouted by the pro-neutering lobby which intentionally misleads and misinforms owners. You, and the pro-neutering lobby can back up very little of this stuff, because a lot of it has already been shown to be guff. Or, it simply hasn't been shown AT ALL yet, one way or the other.
    I think it's really unfair to deliver this misinformation to owners, it's not only one-sided and horribly biased, a lot of it is just wrong.
    I think owners need to be given the opportunity to weigh up both sides of the argument, having been FULLY briefed on both sides. I think most responsible people are intelligent enough to make the right decision for their dog, in their circumstances, as long as they're informed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,737 ✭✭✭✭kylith


    The thing about not neutering is that you have to rely on everyone else being a responsible dog owner too. All it takes is for one person to bring an in-heat bitch to the park and you could be a figurative grandparent, or looking at a free-for-all amongst the males.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 561 ✭✭✭dollydishmop


    I have two Jack russels, both male 7 months old and brothers..
    [...]
    i spoke to another vet who said as they were brothers that they had to be neutered 6 weeks apart or they will fight each other afterwards if neutered together...
    wolfpawnat wrote: »
    According to my vet student boyfriend (finishing 4th year this week) there is nothing they have studied that states they would fight. He found that baffling.

    Same sex aggression is fairly well known in terrier breeds, and particularly noted in the jack russell breed, but perhaps that's not on the vet student syllabus.

    However, in my experience its usually more serious between bitches. Boys tend to fight for status and willy-waving comps. Girls are more likely to fight to kill, and neither will back down. (Typical women - its OK, I can say that, I am one!)

    If the boys aren't fighting now, neutering isn't going to make them fight. And neutering them 6 weeks apart is fairly flawed logic too, and won't make the blindest it of difference.
    My advice is, if you're going to get them done, get them done now (anytime from 6-7 months onwards) and get them done together. You only need to go through the headache of dealing with sad boys, sore bits, stitches and the cone of shame once then :D
    (I tend to leave young bitches longer before neutering because I want them to have had their first season first, if nothing else to make sure all is working and hormones aren't malfunctioning, but that's just me and I can be a little old fashioned on things like this).

    JMVHO YMMV


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 561 ✭✭✭dollydishmop


    If the boys aren't fighting now, neutering isn't going to make them fight.

    I ought to clarfy that, by saying that if they do start to fight down the line, later in life etc etc, it won't be the act of being neutered that causes it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,124 ✭✭✭wolfpawnat


    DBB is right. Some vets try to force it on you. In the college they are warned many vets, like in other professions, are only after the few bob! If a person does not want to neuter their dog, that is their prerogative. They may have aggressive traits from testosterone, they may not. I never neutered my Yorkie, sweetest animal alive. The one thing that is guaranteed with a neutering is they cannot get testicular cancer, but that is not saying for a moment that to keep their goolies means they would ever get it in the first case!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,766 ✭✭✭Knine


    I also agree with DBB.

    I have had both both neutered and entire over the years and the entire males had much more drive then the dogs that were snipped. They were much more willing to work.

    My bitches are not spayed and have much better muscle tone and shape then their spayed equivalent. For me the changes in coat type after spaying is also a problem. However unspayed bitches can be fairly moody at times.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,189 ✭✭✭boomerang


    Our family dog of years ago was never neutered and developed testicular cancer at an advanced age, requiring neutering when he had a greater anaesthetic risk. Just sayin'. He came through fine thank god.

    I wouldn't have an un-neutered bitch and I will be honest and say it it mostly for my own convenience. But I also wouldn't run the risk of her developing mammary cancer, pyometra or diabetes. I've seen it too often.

    One of the problems about bringing this debate out into the open is the fear that the irresponsible owners (who allow their dogs to wander and/or to breed indiscriminately) will seize on our concerns as a reason *not* to neuter. Though possibly they'd never get around to it anyways.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 485 ✭✭Mo60


    I now have all my dogs neutered - the males for territory marking competions and the females for piece of mind.
    With females no matter how careful you are things can go wrong. My dogs cannot get out and are are never left on their own outside but on one occasion, when my Cairn X was a pup, she had come into heat without me realising. I turned around to find that a neighbour's ancient Collie had jumped over my front wall and was about to do the deed. Age did not deter him, firstly jumping a fairly high wall and then lying down on the ground with my dog - where there's a will there's a way.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,064 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    I'm on the fence tbh but something to keep in mind is that a lot of kennels, daycares etc won't take males unless they're neutered which may or may not be a problem for you..


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 552 ✭✭✭Binka


    It is also a condition of taking in a rescue dog or cat from most animal rescue places. They will usually neuter the dog before you take it, but if they can't for reasons of trauma etc, you have to send them the bill for doing it yourself. If you don't, you can't have the animal.
    I can't speak for all of them but from my experience, and I have had dealings with 3 different rescues, I was not given an option.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,795 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    Binka wrote: »
    It is also a condition of taking in a rescue dog or cat from most animal rescue places. They will usually neuter the dog before you take it, but if they can't for reasons of trauma etc, you have to send them the bill for doing it yourself. If you don't, you can't have the animal.
    I can't speak for all of them but from my experience, and I have had dealings with 3 different rescues, I was not given an option.

    That's fair enough, because it just acts as one more safeguard for the dog's welfare. I run a rescue, and nothing leaves here that hasn't been decommissioned (with the very odd exception). Rescues can put all sorts of safeguards in place to ensure a happy life for the dog, and whilst these are very effective, they can't work 100% of the time. Being neutered just makes sure the dog won't fall into the hands of unscrupulous breeders. To my mind, neutering is a cornerstone of what real, proper rescue is all about.
    When I argue against neutering, I'm specifically arguing against (a) neutering too early, and (b) owners being railroaded into it with biased misinformation.
    I think when it comes to any procedure, the owner should know the true pros and cons. And I, personally, don't feel a huge urgency to neuter my own dogs because I know the risks health-wise, and I know they're a hell of a lot smaller than some would have you think. Plus my dogs would never get the opportunity. As it happens, my current dogs are spayed, but this doesn't mean every dog I own in future will be.
    Each to their own, as long as the decision is made on an informed basis.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,189 ✭✭✭boomerang


    Josie greyhound wasn't spayed by the rescue before coming to me because she needed time to gain condition first. I wasn't nervous at all about the operation itself, but one of the principle reasons I took out insurance first was just in case she developed urinary incontinence after. The cost of the medication to treat it is enormous. It's a very rare complication but Josie was already such a voluminous piddler with little ability to hold it for any period of time, that it was on my mind! :D


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,253 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    DBB wrote: »
    Not true. Whilst testosterone might fuel some kinds of aggression, it's not often the cause of it. As I said above, the vast majority of aggression, especially towards humans and dogs outside the home, is caused by undersocialisation.
    +1 and fear. Fear based aggression and behaviour is more common among neutered dogs. PDF link From the link;
    There was a highly significant increase in aggression score of dogs spayed at 12 months or earlier as compared to intact dogs.
    Kinda goes agin the get their nuts off to stop aggression mantra common today.
    The risk of prostate cancer in dogs is very low anyway. The risk if testicular cancer is also low. The risk of other prostatic disorders (such as prostatitis) INCREASES in neutered dogs.
    This health scaremongering is the lynchpin of the pro-neutering lobby, but I'm afraid when you look a little deeper, at the actual size of the risk in the first place, you'll find that the risks have been hugely exaggerated by the lobbyists. This is a shame, because it utterly discredits their word.
    QFT.
    With all due respect, it is scaremongering, the same stuff spouted by the pro-neutering lobby which intentionally misleads and misinforms owners. You, and the pro-neutering lobby can back up very little of this stuff, because a lot of it has already been shown to be guff. Or, it simply hasn't been shown AT ALL yet, one way or the other.
    I think it's really unfair to deliver this misinformation to owners, it's not only one-sided and horribly biased, a lot of it is just wrong.
    I think owners need to be given the opportunity to weigh up both sides of the argument, having been FULLY briefed on both sides. I think most responsible people are intelligent enough to make the right decision for their dog, in their circumstances, as long as they're informed.
    Perfectly put D. This meme is crazy strong at the moment and so is the BS spiel often used to back it up by vets and pro neuter groups. I've actually had people(nearly always women I have to say) I've met on walks get a freaked out look in their eyes and a few have backed away when they hear my guy has still got his bits. As if it's an affront to society in some way. Oh and I've gotten the holier than thou how dare you type guff with it, though I usually respond to that line of browbeating with two words involving sex and travel. Real hand wringing Maud Flanders stuff and precious little of it based in clinical evidence. When vets come out with it, it's more worrying. Though TBH these days on that score on quite the few subjects I take vet advice with a large pinch of sodium nitrate. Dietary advice? Hmmm maybe if you take down the meat flavoured weetabix aimed at an apex predator from your reception I might listen. Vaccination? Funny how a human being can get to 80 and have maybe 10 vaccinations in their lives, yet we're told our dogs need around half that amount yearly...

    This meme is quite the recent one too. I rarely heard of it growing up and mine and all my mates dogs were intact and I don't recall us being attacked by hordes of testosterone enraged doggies. Nor were there the serious issues around strays to the degree it seems today. That said if I had a female dog, I would likely neuter her(and none of this waiting for her first oestrus either, another old wives tale believed by many). Why? Because it does show a worthwhile advantage regarding disease in females, enough for me to offset the downsides.

    I will say it's a right PITA regarding kennels insisting on it. They used not to back in the day and again I can't recall any hassle over it. Plus if all the others are neutered where's the problem?

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,354 ✭✭✭borderlinemeath


    Wibbs wrote: »

    I will say it's a right PITA regarding kennels insisting on it. They used not to back in the day and again I can't recall any hassle over it. Plus if all the others are neutered where's the problem?

    While I would say it's not an insistence, it certainly is a safeguard. If I have two intact dogs here, I am on tenterhooks for what might happen as I've been in the position where intact dogs have taken issue with each other and need separating so I do my best not to book in two intact dogs overlapping. Once bitten, twice shy unfortunately.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,378 ✭✭✭ISDW


    Don't know about kennels insisting on males being neutered, due to the breeding bill, some may insist on bitches being spayed, otherwise they would have to register as a breeding premises, if they have over 6 unspayed bitches staying at any one time.

    Regarding fights, every dog here is neutered/spayed, but we still have fights between neutered males from time to time.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 552 ✭✭✭Binka


    I'm a bit of a fence sitter here too, and am open to the argument from both sides. But, and it's a big but, I tend to err on the side of neutering in my part of the world.
    I do understand the points that have been made here against anti-neutering but in general the people who post on here are the responsible owners whether they are pro or anti. But what percentage of the dog owning population are we? Probably, the minority. I know that where I live, in rural Mayo, there very few dogs kept in secure gardens or farmyards. I know this from walking and driving these roads and having dogs flying out of every second gate, be it a private house or a farm. In fact, most people that I live and work with in these parts think I'm soft in the head that I don't let my dogs roam free. Dogs living in cities and towns are more likely to have different experiences and containment issues.
    For that reason, I think it is better to send out a message to the majority that it is wise to neuter, but I do agree that for responsible owners and breeders it should be up to the individual and the best option for the dog whether to neuter or not.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,378 ✭✭✭ISDW


    Binka wrote: »
    I'm a bit of a fence sitter here too, and am open to the argument from both sides. But, and it's a big but, I tend to err on the side of neutering in my part of the world.
    I do understand the points that have been made here against anti-neutering but in general the people who post on here are the responsible owners whether they are pro or anti. But what percentage of the dog owning population are we? Probably, the minority. I know that where I live, in rural Mayo, there very few dogs kept in secure gardens or farmyards. I know this from walking and driving these roads and having dogs flying out of every second gate, be it a private house or a farm. In fact, most people that I live and work with in these parts think I'm soft in the head that I don't let my dogs roam free. Dogs living in cities and towns are more likely to have different experiences and containment issues.
    For that reason, I think it is better to send out a message to the majority that it is wise to neuter, but I do agree that for responsible owners and breeders it should be up to the individual and the best option for the dog whether to neuter or not.


    I'm the same, only person in the area that keeps their dogs behind a fence. But, unfortunately, those people who do let their pets roam I bet haven't had them neutered, thats the problem isn't it, the responsible people that do, tend to be the ones that don't let the dogs roam.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73 ✭✭skyline1515


    The reason i am getting my dogs neutered is because our dogs go with us anytime we go to stay with friends/family.. Some of our friends dogs are female and not neutered...

    after reading all the pros and cons from you all, i will be getting them neutered. I didn't feel pressured into it by my vet etc, my OH and i agreed on this when we got them..

    Thank you all again for you help and advise

    Skyline1515


Advertisement