Rottweiler neighbour mounting my puppy Retriever

Hi, Rodrigo!

Why don't you want to neuter Dimitri?

kjd

I don't think neutering necessarily has anything to do with how he behaves. Yes, some dogs calm down when they are neutered. But here are some better reasons:

1. An intact dog is going to chase down all the bitches (that is the proper name for a female canine!) that are in heat. In doing so, he can be injured by cars, people, other animals. If he runs into other dogs (proper name for the male canine, though we generally use dog for both sexes) after the same bitch, he can get into some wicked fights and be seriously injured. Or killed.

2. If the female has not been properly cared for, Dimitri can be made sterile.

3. If you aren't a breeder, why make your dog suffer everytime he smells a bitch in heat?

4. Being a responsible breeder is expensive (vet bills, for example). The breeding normally takes place at the stud's place, which means you have to board the female. If she is a virgin, she may actually injure Dimitri during intercourse. She may be the carrier of a disease that will render him sterile.

5. Unlike humans, canines don't mourn over their lost abilities. He will be your dog all the time and not go out looking for trouble.

6. Although the bitch's owner will raise the pups, you have to consider yourself responsible for every unwanted puppy you help bring into the world.

7. It is possible that a neutered male is less apt to get prostate cancer.

Having said all that, if you decide to neuter, always check with your vet as to the best age to do it. And spend the extra money to have a vet perform the operation. It is a simple one, far less than what is done to spay the female, but, if complications do arise, you want someone there who will know what to do.

kjd