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Castration, why?

20K views 64 replies 24 participants last post by  Herzo 
#1 ·
Encouraged by our bassets breeder & vet to castrate our dog it is something I've bitterly :mad: regretted ever since, & would never do again unless for medical reasons.

Curious as to the reasons & research - if any - that have led owners to neuter their male dogs?
 
#37 ·
Ellie is approaching six months (mid January) and I intend to have her fixed. Even tho she is a gorgeous girl (and would have adorable pups), I do not intend on breeding her and do not want to deal with her going into heat (and all the issues that come with it).

I realize many folks have strong feelings about spaying/neutering, however, I feel if you are NOT in the business of breeding, then it is the way to go.

(Not trying to start any arguments!)
 
#38 ·
Ellie is approaching six months (mid January) and I intend to have her fixed. Even tho she is a gorgeous girl (and would have adorable pups), I do not intend on breeding her and do not want to deal with her going into heat (and all the issues that come with it).

I realize many folks have strong feelings about spaying/neutering, however, I feel if you are NOT in the business of breeding, then it is the way to go.

(Not trying to start any arguments!)

The vets over here advised me to let Bella have one season then 3 months later have her spayed, which is what we did, and she had a phantom pregnancy after it, so is a little baggy underneath because she started producing milk.

I don't regret having her done, please be aware that if you're thinking of having her done before she's had a season, it can lead to an incontinent female, if the vets open her up and her body has already started getting ready for a season there's something that can happen that will cause incontinence, hence my vet pushing me to go for 3 months afterwards.

I have an excellent tip for owners of bitches in season walk them when it's raining, less chance of meeting any other dogs and the rain will mask their scent, which should stop stray males from visiting. That is of course if you live in a rainy climate like I do!!:D
 
#39 ·
Interesting reading all these comments. I have just one more to throw into the mix when it comes to oops litters from an entire Basset male - I'd suggest you have a rare bird if you have one who 'helps himself'. Having spent more time crawling, sitting on a cold floor with a bitch across my lap trying to get a male to actually get there, I'd suggest the possibility of a Basset male doing the job without help, is quite unlikely. Yes, the spirit is willing, and he may well take off after a hot female, but do it himself? ..... :p In fact I have often thought that left to their own devices, the breed could well die out :lol:

ps We had one precocious boy who did help himself at barely 8 months It was planned, but not on that season :eek:
 
#40 ·
Sailor definitely seems incompetent in that area, although he's never had the opportunity to actually do the job. Kermit the Dog, on the other hand, was quite capable.
 
#43 ·
We dont plan on breeding our little girl even though my mother in law thinks we need to but she is thinking purely the money side of it. As of right now she is our only dog but we have already talked about getting another. Now if it will be another basset or a different breed we are not really sure as of right now. I wouldnt mind just leaving her be unless a medical reason does come up where getting her spayed would help. How is the best way to deal with her seasons? Ive only ever owned males so this will be a first for me.
 
#47 ·
How is the best way to deal with her seasons? Ive only ever owned males so this will be a first for me.
Vigilance/supervision. She must never be alone outside while in season, even if you have a fenced yard. If you also have a male they need to be kept separate with TWO doors between them (in case one fails). Panties are for keeping her from making a mess only, they are NOT effective birth control. Walked on leash and under control.

You also want to keep an eye out afterwards for signs of either mastitis (especially if she's prone to false pregnancy, as many bassets seem to be)or pyometra. They don't happen often, but they do happen, so know the symptoms so they can be caught early.

Dogs never stop going into heat, which is why I usually spay mine once they're 7 or more years old.
 
#44 ·
Does anyone know of a dog that's had a vasectomy, have often wondered why it can't be an option?
 
#46 ·
I have always gotten my animals fixed (well, my parents and I as I was growing up) after they have reached the appropriate ages. The first dog was neutered young, around 6 months but that was maybe 10+ years ago. The next dog was neutered more around 9 months old to give him more time to grow and mature. The first female dog we ever owned was fixed before her first season. The cats were always fixed too.
Now, Monty is neutered. I think he got neutered around 9 months old. Looking back I may have waited a bit longer. He was a bad humper and we assumed that would fix it. Now we have Jenny. She is 7 months old and not yet fixed. She will be, because I don't like having a chance of accidental puppies, whether she escaped or a strange dog got in the fence.
There are too many unwanted dogs out there, so I will always do my part and make sure no animals of mine contribute to that. Breeding should be left to the breeders. I just wish more people thought this way instead of letting their dogs have "just one" litter or not bothering to keep an eye on their wandering intact male dog.
 
#49 ·
#50 ·
#54 ·
[QUOTE... if a male dog is non-neutered, even if he is not aggressive, he could be more humpy, which then makes him a target of other dogs' aggression. also something like the fact that that dog is unneutered, he is more of a target of aggression from other male dogs than if he's neutered.
--Worm[/QUOTE]

A young male dog has I believe around 8 times the hormone levels that he will have in later life ' a teenager', this can lead to aggression from other entire dogs who react to the hormones & challenge the younger dog.
Neutered males can also give off a smell that is confusing to bitches & dogs as they don't know what it (he) is, & if the neutered male is very unfortunate he can end up smelling rather like a bitch on heat :(, which leads to 'a lot' of interest/confusion from other dogs & not always friendly.
 
#61 ·
My understanding in the UK is, that if you buy a pedigree - a pup/dog with five KC generations - that good breeders will ensure that the transfer of ownership comes with endorsements, this doesn't stop the bitch or dog being used for breeding but any offspring can't be registered with the KC, unless endorsements are lifted. So in theory the pups would be off less value.

Of course neutering prevents pups, but does it benefit the dog & that is my first consideration.

I'm with Soundtrack
My question would be, if they are not responsible enough to maintain an intact animal, are they responsible enough that they should have a dog at all? Seriously, what's involved in keeping dogs from breeding is basically good stewardship. It's not that hard. Really.

It was because of this that we made the decision to have dogs of the same sex, if it ever comes about that we have a bitch & an entire male then would have to think it through & work with it. Ensured our garden was dog proof before they joined us, they were never left out if we weren't about, in this house they are in a walled garden with two gates on either side of the house. Some of the replies to this thread seem to suggest that every time a male dog is loose it's rampant, whether it's managed to escape or out on a walk. Perhaps I'm over cautious but both boys spend time off lead most days, sometimes for hours on a walk but know were my dogs are, am mentally with them & watchful. They are part of our family, look out for them & my responsibility, it's not that hard.
 
#64 ·
In regards to vasectomies in animals, they aren't always 100% effective. In humans, they are able to analyze the semen to determine sterilization. I don't know that it's as easy to do that in many animals. We have friend who work with chimpanzees rescue and they use vasectomies to sterilize the males. Over the past 7 years there have been two oops babies born because the vasectomies weren't effective. With castration its 100% fool proof.


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