Do You Spay and Neuter or Not?

You have a great little bundle of joy in your new canine companion. You did all the right things so far. Shots, worming, a general checkup and you have acquainted your dog to its new environment. You may have even gotten some fancy doggie bowls, a collar and leash; maybe even a new doggie outfit for your friend. Your doggie seems to be settling in well and everything is going fine. So, have you fixed your pet yet?

Having your pet spayed or neutered is regularly the last event to cross a new pet owners mind. Some people feel it's unhealthy to fix their dog, while there are some people who just want that first litter and then will get around to fixing their pet. Then again, there are some people who don't take notice of the fixing issue until the neighbors dog becomes pregnant or aggressiveness begins to develop.

So, let's take a moment to look over some common myths that people think of when it comes to spaying or neutering their dogs.

My dog will feel less of a male/female once fixed. Although this may be a fear that humans have when it comes to the topic, dogs don't have that fear. Dogs in general do not have an inherent sense of sexuality as we do. Fixing your dog won't give him/her a complex about their gender.

I'll let my dog breed once, because it's healthier for them that way. Actually, letting a female have a litter at all can be unhealthier for her than getting fixed. Many females, unless in a controlled breeding environment sometimes don't make it past the birth of the litter and normally when they do then not all the puppies make it. It is pretty much universally agreed upon by vets that the best time to spay is BEFORE the first heat period

My dog needs to be a watchdog, he won't be if we fix him. Neutering your dog won't make him any less protective. The testosterone levels do drop but they are not eliminated by the process. A dogs personality based on dominance or submission is just that; based on their personality. Dogs do not have the same attachment to testes as humans do.

Okay, so we have taken a quick look at some common misconceptions but now we are going to look at the central reasoning for fixing your dog. That reason would be population control, plain and simple. If you don't fix your dog and you cannot guarantee that all the puppies find good homes you will be adding to the amount of sheltered and homeless pets that run the risk of being euthanized every day. Currently in America there are between ten to twelve million pets euthanized each year. That number is so high because there are just not enough people willing or able to give a pet a good home. By breeding your dog for more puppies you ignore the thousands of homeless puppies that are already in the system looking for homes.

Please be responsible and consider spaying or neutering your new best friend.