|
Why you should spay or neuter your pet -
Surgical sterilization of animals is recommended by most veterinarians and humane societies for a number of reasons. The benefit for health and behavior are immense and pet overpopulation is at an astounding high.Reducing Health risks -
For the female dog, if she is spayed before her first heat, the risk of mammary tumor development later in life is almost zero. The mammary tumor is the most common tumor in female dogs and they face a 3-to-7 fold greater risk of developing this tumor than spayed females. A study has shown that if you wait until after a 2nd heat to spay your female dog, they receive no protection against mammary tumors. So spaying early has more benefits than spaying later. Spaying can also prevent uterine diseases, some of which are fatal.
For the male dog, neutering can prevent common diseases of the prostrate. Neutered males do not get the prostatic enlargement problems that commonly affect older intact males.
Behavioral benefits -
Neutering a male dog has obvious behavioral benefits. They roam less, and are not aggressive and fighting over females with other male dogs. If you have ever witnessed a dog fight, it is reasonable to say that a dog's health is at risk in this activity - not to mention its life. A neutered dog is also prone to less marking in the house and less abnoxious mounting behaviors following castration. Castration reduces, but does not wholly eliminate, aggression towards other dogs and people. A study has shown that 60% of neutered dogs shown a decline in unprovoked aggression towards other dogs.
When to neuter -
The most common time to neuter in the past has been at 6 months of age. There is early neutering being performed between 8 and 16 weeks. With the advances in veterinary pediatric care, early neutering can be done safely and effectively. You would need to check with your veterinarian to see what he/she feels is best.
Unfounded Objections -
The following reasons for not neutering are unfounded. Obesity, reduced activity levels, changes in temperament, lack of affection and reduced hunting abilities. I can vouch for the untrue nature of these. We own several dogs, all are altered and none have the symptoms mentioned.
Who should really be breeding -
First, and most importantly I want to say right up front that just because a dog is AKC registered means NOTHING. It does not mean that dog has proven itself within its breed standards in any shape or form. It quite simply means you know who the parents of your dog are. It doesn't mean it comes from good breeding at all. Just means its from a known breeding.I often hear in rescue - "but you don't know any lineage on the dog". This is said to me by people who own the breed as a pet. They don't show the dog, they don't hunt the dog, they don't do agility or anything else with the dog. If the dog is simply going to be a pet - ALTER IT! There is no good reason to breed that dog. It hasn't shown any of its breed talents and characteristics and therefore should not be bred. People have told me they think their dog would be "a good mother". There are health risks to breeding any dog, and you don't breed a pet because it might be a good mother. You breed a dog for a quality line to do what that dog is bred to do. You breed to better the breed - nothing more.
Questions for any breeder - Quality breeders will do the following:
People who are breeding just to breed and not to better that breed will usually do none of the above. Once you have purchased the dog, it is yours free and clear and they don't want to hear from you again unless you are there to buy another dog. Poor breeders believe once you have purchased the dog they have no further responsibilities towards you or that dog. So PLEASE, research your breeders and the breed before purchasing a pet.
- health guarantees on their dogs
- assistance with any problems with their dogs after purchase
- will take back their dogs.
Faith Fields
Mid-Atlantic GSP Rescue President(Dog Watch Newsletter, March 2002 issue)