Wolf, stallion or gorilla, male animals fight for dominance but dogs love people so much that they accept a lower position and look to US for leadership.
Barbara "BJ" Andrews, SAAB Member February 19, 2024
We know certain dog breeds were developed to protect sheep and other livestock but that was centuries before we ever thought about castrating a dog. If neutering their dog is suggested to livestock owners they reject it, stating it makes the dogs less efficient.
The same could be said today about neutering or spaying your house dog. Does it make the dog less alert to trouble in the neighborhood? Less protective of you? Does it make him an overall better “house-dog”? Last question: Why did you chose a male dog?
Neutering does seem to enable/allow the dog to focus on YOU and consciously or otherwise, that may be the objective.
Neutering pets is major income for veterinarians but thoughtfully now, does it really solve more problems than it corrects? What about aggression – wanted in a personal protection dog but not in lap dogs. We asked veterinarians. “While male dogs who are neutered do experience an increase in aggressive behaviors right after the procedure, neutering can make them much less aggressive over time.” ~ www.santacruzpet.com {Ref #1}
A large animal vet said “We “geld” horses (i.e. castrate) to make them calmer and quieter but that should not be a problem with mannerly dogs.” We’re told castration “…makes males better pets” but if that is true, why have a dog at all? Perhaps a cat would be better.
Why are we urged to neuter? My male dogs, from Akitas to Toy Fox Terriers never “marked” in the house but today we are urged by friends, neighbors and especially by veterinarians to “neuter” male dogs. Asked why, we are told it stops “marking territory.” I never neutered our dogs. One or two proper corrections worked just as well. Dogs DO talk to each other. Proof is that my dogs, of different breeds over the last 60 years, all understood “marking” on PEOPLE territory was sure to bring a humiliatingly bad result. Dogs are not stupid.
Most websites recommend neutering. “While male dogs who are neutered do experience an increase in aggressive behaviors right after the procedure, neutering can make them much less aggressive over time.” ~ www.santacruzpet.com {Ref #2}
Another large animal vet said “We “geld” horses (i.e. castrate) to make them calmer and quieter but that should not be a problem with mannerly dogs.” Most veterinarians privately agree but castration surgery is safe, easy, and profitable, especially with pet insurance.
One of the most common questions www.TheDogPress.com receives is ‘Does castrating dogs make them less protective of their people and property?’ That is an important and valid question because even the tiniest Chihuahua or most docile spaniel will alert at anything unusual, especially after dark…
Castrating dogs does make them calmer and with some breeds, that may be the goal. We asked veterinarians. “While male dogs who are neutered do experience an increase in aggressive behaviors right after the procedure, neutering can make them much less aggressive over time.” ~ www.santacruzpet.com {Ref #3}
On the other hand, many owners say it made their dog lazy or uninterested and that wasn’t what they wanted. Doing a hysterectomy to prevent unintended litters has a less noticeable effect and indeed, spaying helps control an “overpopulation” problem but so does fencing.
Reference {#1,2,3} www.SantaCruzPets.com TheDogPress.com EST 2002 © Feb 2024 https://www.thedogpress.com/editorials/problems-correcting-your-dog-b24A021.asp SSI
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