To neuter ... or not to neuter

NEUTERING in the dog involves the dog going under anaesthetic and the surgical removal of the testes is carried out, then just a few stitches are required to rejoin the skin. This is a minor operation and only takes about five to 10 minutes.

The dog recovers from the operation quite quickly and is released from hospital within a few hours. Ten days later a re-visit to the vet for a check up and the stitches are removed. Spaying of the bitch is a little more complicated as the bitch must undergo a longer surgery under full anaesthetic. During the surgery her ovaries are removed.

Many internal and external stitches are required to rejoin the internal flesh and the skin. This operation takes about half an hour and recovery from anaesthetic takes longer than that of the dog. The bitch will be released from hospital at the end of the day or may stay overnight if she needs more recovery time. About 10 days later she will return to the vet for check up and removal of stitches.

In the male puppy his brain is masculinized by a surge of testosterone just before birth. This hormone is produced by the testes in increasing amounts so that by the time the dog reaches puberty the level of hormone is high enough to activate leg lifting, mounting, and aggression which enable him to compete, mate and reproduce in adulthood.

Breeders often find dogs that are returned are usually between the ages of six months and two years, due to behaviour problems that develop during puberty. He may become increasingly difficult to live with because he is more interested in bitches, harder to train, marking his territory, growling at humans and dogs and getting into conflict with other dogs.

Castration would be a good preventative in reducing some of these problem behaviours. Castration alone will not necessarily change the dog's personality and will not stop him from being a good watchdog, he will still bark if disturbed. Behaviour modification may be needed after castration. Castration will not necessarily change his relationship with humans except that he may accept authority more readily. In most cases castration will have a calming effect on the dog.

Once a dog is castrated the effects of reduced testosterone vary with each dog. Circulating testosterone is gone, around six hours after castration, but it could take many months before he loses his interest in sex. However he will need to be kept away from bitches in season for a few weeks after castration, as there may be some fertile semen present. Although change doesn't happen necessarily straight away after castration, the dog can benefit from a significant reduction of roaming, conflicts with other males, mounting people, urine marking, less risk of cancer of the testes and searching out bitches in season. A dog that wanders looking for bitches in season can run the risk of causing road accidents (or himself being a road accident statistic) or getting lost and picked up by the dog control and placed in a dog pound.

Unless the dog is bought for showing or breeding purposes then I would recommend castration as the best option to prevent unwanted puppies and also health problems later on. There are more than enough puppies and breeders out there and too many unwanted dogs in dog rescue homes.

My first dog was a very out-of-control dog with testosterone that led him to escape whenever he was able and seek out bitches in season. After castration at just 12 months old we immediately saw a significant reduction in his problem behaviour. He was calmer, he no longer tried to escape, was a lot more obedient and because he was less distracted he became more attentive and trainable. I have heard people often say that they do not want to castrate their dog because it makes him less of a dog and is not natural.

But since our dogs live in an unnatural environment compared to their ancestors, we must do what is best for he dog, his health, his owners and other dogs and bitches in his environment who he may have conflict with or mate with the bitches causing unwanted puppies. Seems to me the logical answer is to castrate.

In the bitch puppy, her mind remains neutral until puberty, when she experiences a surge of female hormone called oestrogen. The female experiences changes in her body, her behaviour and activity in relation to her reproductive cycle.

Spaying bitches is quite common, as people do not like the mess and smell in their house of a bitch coming into season every six months. This is a wise decision for owners to take as spaying will prevent unwanted puppies, dogs are less likely to come visiting creating disturbance, the bitch is less likely to develop mammary tumours, false pregnancy and also pyometra which is a very serious life threatening infection.

Twice yearly the bitch experiences a surge of oestrogen and progesterone. Increased oestrogen will make the bitch more sexually active. She will urinate more, mount other dogs and bitches and respond to males for mating. After ovulation the bitch then has a surge of the hormone progesterone that has a calming effect on her mind. This progesterone remains influencing her brain for about two months after each oestrus cycle. This can make her a little depressed and grumpy.

This can have a significant effect on the bitch's behaviour and she may display behaviour associated with pregnancy such as producing milk, going off food, guarding toys and nest building. Spaying a bitch during this time is not recommended as it can cause a sudden drop in progesterone levels and the possibility of emotional problems.

Contrary to the belief of some people a bitch does not need to have a litter to become a well-balanced mature bitch. This will only create more unwanted puppies in the world. Neither dogs nor bitches need to become fat after neutering. Sometimes there is a reduction in the metabolic rate, which may require a small reduction in calories. So long as the dog or bitch is having the same amount of exercise and is not given extra food for looking hungry then there should be no increase in the weight.

After neutering it is wise to monitor the dogs' weight carefully and reduce the amount of calories if the dog begins to put on weight. They do not become fat automatically. They become fat if we overfeed them. As suggested with the dog, unless the bitch is bought for showing or breeding purposes then I certainly recommend spaying her. There will be less risk of mess in the house every six months and no unwanted puppies. Her life will also be at less risk of pyometra and cancer later on in life and the changes in her body and moods due to hormones. She will be a happier, healthier bitch with happier owners.

The only benefit not to spay or castrate would be if you are buying from good reputable bloodlines in order to show or breed dogs for their improvement, soundness, and the qualities the particular chosen breed is adapted for. This can be a very enjoyable hobby. However there is still no guarantee that caring homes will be found for the puppies.