WHY NEUTER?

If your dog is not of breeding quality or you are just not interested in taking on responsibility of breeding, then neutering your dog at an early age is best for both of you. Neutering is the term for the permanent surgical sterilization of an animal. In females, the procedure is often called spaying and it involves the removal of ovaries and uterus. In males it is usually referred to as castration or altering and involves the complete removal of the testicle. Due to may myths about neutering, dog owners often fear the procedure. The following facts should ease your mind and convince you that neutering is the widest decision.

THE CASE FOR NEUTERING

Each year, thousands of dogs are put to sleep in animal shelters because no one wants them. Many of these dogs are the result of accidental breeding. The only way to prevent this tragedy is to stop allowing our pets to breed, and the safest and most effective way to achieve this is to neuter. By not adding to the population of dogs, the chance that homeless pets will find homes is increased.

With current methods of veterinary surgery, both forms of neutering are quick and relatively safe and painless procedures. Furthermore, the health benefits are significant.

WHY NEUTER THE MALE?

Castration has significant health benefits for a male dog. It prevents prostate disease, a serious problem for older male dogs, and virtually eradicates the chances of testicular cancer or infection.

Neutering can also modify many behavioral problems. It eliminates the sex hormone testosterone which responsible for such "male behaviors" as mounting, urine marking (leg lifting), fighting and roaming. Your dog will be less likely to be fight with other male dogs, and he will be less likely to be picked on. It is because neutered male is less desire to roam and search for females, so they are less likely to be hit by cars.

Contrary to popular belief, castration will not make a male dog calmer, although it will remove the cause of much of his frustration. Only maturity, exercise and good training will calm and active young dog.

WHY SPAY A FEMALE?

Spaying will remove the primary source of female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. If you spay a female dog before her first heat, she has virtually no chance of developing breast cancer. Spaying also eliminates her chances of developing cancer or infection of uterus.

Unlike castration, spaying has little effect on behavior. However, spaying does prevent the irritability and occasional aggression that females experience during heat and the period of false pregnancy that often follows the heat.

Spaying also means that you won't have to contend with blood stains on your carpets and furniture from discharge that occur during heat. In addition, it will spare you the burden of persistent neighborhood males sitting outside your door waiting for your female.

MYTHS & FACTS

A popular myth about neutering is that neutered pets become psychologically depressed. In fact, most neutered pets are more loving and playful since they are no longer preoccupied with mating. Another myth is that neutered animals become fat and lazy. Although neutered dog require fewer calories, they will easily maintain their trim physique when places on a proper diet and exercise program. Obesity is far more often caused by overfeeding and inactivity than neutering.

Some owners also worry that neutering will reduce their dog's basic instinct to defend his or her territory, turning their once-vigilant watchdog into a wimp. Again, there is no truth to this.

It's never too late to neuter your dog. Although best done after puberty, studies show that neutering has the same effect on behavior and reproduction at any age. There is no need to let your dog go through a heat cycle or have a litter before being neutered.

There is really no reason not to neuter your dog. The procedures are affordable and readily available, with many humane societies offering low cost neutering programs. The cost of the operation is certainly much less than the cost of raising an accidental litter of puppies or paying the medical bills for problem that neutering can easily prevent.