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Question for dog owners

(77 Posts)
Ziggy62 Wed 16-Apr-25 11:53:39

We have a male miniature schnauzer/yorkie almost 2 years old. He is incredibly well behaved and we adore him

Yesterday he had a trial sleepover with a dog boarder. It didn't go well as he got so over excited with the 3 girl doggies that live there.

I'm happy to have him neutured (hope that's correct spelling) but my husband isn't keen, he's worried it may change his playful personality and he may become fat

Advice from long time dog owners most welcome

Macadia Wed 16-Apr-25 20:50:32

Neutering does not stop a dog from being excited around bitches. Dogs that are humpy in personality don't care if it's a male, female or pillow. Most will continue with this behavior for life unless corrected early on. In most cases, it will reduce aggression. The behavior itself is a way to show dominance. Bitches will sometimes display this behavior as well. Vets can use laser to cauterise the tubes and leave everything outside intact the same way it is done for humans. It doesn't cause obesity - overeating does. The owner can balance that out to give their dog a happy, healthy, long life.

Men will almost NEVER agree to neutering a dog. They might even visibly cringe at the mention of it.

Unspayed or unneutered dogs are for breeders, not pets.

Macadia Wed 16-Apr-25 20:53:59

Correction, in most cases the neutering will reduce aggression

Nanato3 Thu 17-Apr-25 00:21:13

Hip problems are a genetic disorder and are not related to spay or neuter. It can be predicted via. x-ray at 8 weeks of age.

Macardia you are wrong .

Since reproductive hormones play a part in a dog's growth and development. As a result, neutering some dog breeds before they are fully grown can increase their risk for things like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and even cranial cruciate .

haighsue Mon 21-Apr-25 13:41:10

If you are going to board your little dog out it’s better to have home neutered. Although minders usually say they won’t accept females in season, their presence often triggers difficult behaviour in unneutered males. Otherwise, keep him with you at home.

Pri1 Mon 21-Apr-25 13:41:11

I had my Wheaten terrier neuter as a puppy. He is now 13 and still very fit and playful

ReadyMeals Mon 21-Apr-25 13:45:00

Dunno what the kennel owner thinks is going to happen if he has boy and girl dogs in together. Alternatively if the girls were already spayed it probably does no harm to let them get on with doing what they do.

SaxonGrace Mon 21-Apr-25 13:46:18

I’ve always neutered my dogs both male and female, never had a problem with their weight or personality

kjmpde Mon 21-Apr-25 13:49:03

Typical male - husband that is. Unless you are wanting to breed then have all animals neutered. Would you want a dog owner coming knocking on your door to say that your dog was responsible for her litter? Of course not. NEUTER NOW
we had a male feral cat adopt us . the same day he had been to the vets for the operation , he climbed the fence. No stop to any antics.

LittleToothill Mon 21-Apr-25 13:49:32

Hi I’ve been breeding dogs for over 20 years and always recommend getting dogs neutered -male and females . It has health benefits and vets recommend reducing food by 10% . It my experience it doesn’t alter personalities . I’ve currently got 5 girls and 1 boy puppy who was castrated a month ago so were his 3 brothers and all have recovered well and are still playful and very happy . So go for it

Mojack26 Mon 21-Apr-25 13:52:33

Personally I would get him neutered unless you plan to breed him. If anything neutering calms them down...Vet recommended it as it also cuts down risk of testicular cancer.

janestheone Mon 21-Apr-25 13:54:36

men. They do have a problem with male animals being neutered. At one time I had a tomcat, and when I took him to be done, the vet (who knew my then husband) asked what he thought about it. He doesn't even want to think about it, I said. Yes, this is common, she said. Men get the horrors at the thought of it.

icanhandthemback Mon 21-Apr-25 13:55:21

My advice would be to try the chemical castration to see if neutering would be a kindness or a catastrophe. I have known several people who have done this. Most go on to castrate because it either makes no difference or is beneficial. One person found that it made such a negative difference where the dog became anxious and reactive so they didn't go through with the operation. I would always neuter if it suited the dog.
The alternative is to find a dog boarder who doesn't have other dogs.

mabon1 Mon 21-Apr-25 13:55:43

We had all our male Bearded Collies neutered, they were playful, never were overweight; it's what you put in their mouths that makes and dog fat

sazz1 Mon 21-Apr-25 14:00:25

My personal view is its an unnecessary operation. I have 2 female dogs that I won't get spayed unless there's a medical reason, eg infection in the womb. I've only ever had one dog spayed, a border collie who would scale a 12ft wall to escape when in season. After 3 litters and 2 morning after treatments she was spayed.
My main concern is it can cause spayed bitch incontinence and arthritis in later years. No cure for these but there's permanent treatment ongoing.
My MILs kitten died due to a blood clot after castration which does make me realise that these operations do come with a small risk.
Best wishes whatever you decide.

creakingandchronic Mon 21-Apr-25 14:04:15

i think its both responsible and better for dogs to be neutered or spayed. some say if dogs are 'done' that stops aggressive behaviour but has not been the case in my experience

4allweknow Mon 21-Apr-25 14:18:19

Over the years of having dogstgey were always neutered or spayed. Never had any weight issues either. Couldn't put up with males desperate to escape or howling once they pick up a scent of a female in season.

Galton Mon 21-Apr-25 14:19:43

I am with the people on here who are for neutering. In fact I think all males should be neutered.

Ilovedogs22 Mon 21-Apr-25 14:22:23

Just a little snippet about dog's & weight.
I was walking my old Collie in the snotty posh bit of my area, when a horrid woman just shouted 'FAT' at us, pointing at my 14yr old dog.
She then ponced off leaving us gobsmacked. The poor old dog has a benine tumour on his side.
Not 'fat' at all.
But what a C*W! 🥴

buffyfly9 Mon 21-Apr-25 14:33:33

I hope you had time to call out, " have you looked at yourself love".!! Damn cheek!

MayBee70 Mon 21-Apr-25 14:33:51

My first whippet almost died of pyometra because I didn’t get her spayed. Other dogs were spayed in middle age due to mammary tumours. Current dog had a suspected womb infection after her second season and we brought forward her spay because of it. They can have a silent pyometra, too, which means they can die before you even know they’re ill. Also phantom pregnancies that completely mess them up hormonally. I would always have a bitch spayed now but not until they were full grown and had had a couple of seasons.

albertina Mon 21-Apr-25 14:50:29

I had as many questions as you ! My puppy is a 7 month old boy who has had a very healthy interest in females for quite a while. I plan to have him neutered as I believe it's better for him. And easier for me when he's off the lead !

Pondlife Mon 21-Apr-25 14:58:04

If you’re happy to have someone stay in your home you could consider a petsitter to look after your house and dog while you are away

Jess20 Mon 21-Apr-25 15:05:13

I prefer not to neuter and agree it can affect the dog. If a dog is well behaved and it's not giving you issues I'd say don't. The opinion on neutering is changing and vets don't automatically advise it and it can affect confidence and the way other dogs react to your dog. I think in bitches it can affect them negatively in later life but you have to be aware of potential problems like pyometra and things if you don't spay them. As long as you are a responsible dog owner and don't let your dog stray, the biggest issue is the one you have, that a non-neutered dog may not be so welcome in a dog boarding situation. Neutering might not help this. We just don't leave our dog, except with our son's who don't have dogs. In your situation I'd read up the advantages and disadvantages before deciding and I'm personally with your husband on this as your dog isn't currently displaying any negative behaviours. There'll be plenty of people who disagree with me. Good luck whatever you do.

MadeInYorkshire Mon 21-Apr-25 15:06:38

Patsy70

My male dog is neutered and lifts his leg to wee!

My male dog has been neutered but has always squatted like a bitch, sometimes with his leg stuck out at the back, he looks weird!

Get him neutered *Ziggy62, your husband is only thinking of his own bits, and not in the interests of your dog! There used to be an entire lab in our village and he was an absolute pain! I had a Basset Hound, and whenever he saw him he would hump him - the lady just said "oh Harry, leave poor Compton alone' but he never did! It was her husband that didn't want him done, for no good reason!

sazz1 Mon 21-Apr-25 15:24:36

It definitely doesn't cure aggression, or prevent mammary tumours. I've had 2 rescue dogs in the past. Both neutered by the rescue. The bitch, neutered at 6 months old had mammary tumours in old age and arthritis. The dog was dog aggressive all his life even towards puppies on walks. I had to walk him on a muzzle and he was castrated at 2 years by the rescue. He was the love of my life and lived until 17 years.