I am going to have my male dogs fixed- is it the right thing to do?

[Wcross]

I have an appointment to have my four male dogs fixed next week. I just had the two kittens fixed and the vet cut off their balls! It looks painful and when I think about it, I am kind of wondering if it is a cruel thing to do to my dogs.
I have one 4-8 year old (don't know his age) and his three pups that he sired before I had control of the pack. The pups are one year old.
The reason I am considering the operation is I am afraid they will get into trouble if I leave them intact. I live in the country and let the dogs run the property without fences or chaining them up. I am afraid they may try to get cozy with a coyotee or maybe travel far in search of a "date". Also, when one of the pups gets "excited" the older male attacks them. He doesn't know that I had all the girls fixed last year and he is still holding out hope that he will get some in the future.
Is neutering a cruel thing to do? Will they hate me for it? Will they act the same after the operation?

[fishnfla]

1. I dont know but i heard you can

have artificial testicles implanted to replace the real ones. I wonder how much that costs and why one would do it?

[flvegan]

4. Neuticles

http://www.neuticles.com/index1.html

[MuseRider]

5. Neuticles!

http://www.neuticles.com/

[Ellen Forradalom]

2. It is NOT cruel

It's minor surgery.

Consider the alternative: dogs that strain to get at bitches in heat, territory marking, leg humping, and most of all, unwanted puppies in an already overpopulated world. A lot of frustration all around. If you are not a professional breeder, by all means, do neuter. It's the right thing to do!

[flvegan]

3. Good gravy, yes!

1. By neutering, you lessen the chances any of them will get testicular cancer (among other illnesses);
2. Neutering=less aggresssion, less likely to fight with other dogs;
3. Neutering=less likely to "mark" things (and hump your leg);
4. 5 million animals die in our shelters every year. We already have too many dogs out there, we don't really need those fellas making any more;

A neutering isn't much of a big deal. Takes a vet about 10 minutes, tops. A little pain killer, a little antibiotics, and a day of rest will have those guys as right as rain.

Do it!

[barb162]

11. get them neutered, please

[yo-yo-ma]

6. testicles aren't the center of a dog's identity

The main reason to neuter pets is to decrease the amount of stray and abandoned animals that wind of euthanized.
There are way too many animals needing homes. I would argue that it's irresponsible not to neuter your pets.
As for personality changes, very very minor if at all. Perhaps less aggressive in extreme coyote show down moments which may be better.

Anyway - no guilt - you are doing the right thing.

[Orsino]

9. What yo-yo said...

Unless you particularly want your dogs to sire puppies, neuter them. As much as I like puppies, the world needs fewer of them--until it learns to care for them after their arrival.

[MuseRider]

7. Do it.

It is minor and if they run off there is no telling what could happen but most of what could happen could be bad for them. They will not hate you, mine never have. The only reason I can see for not doing this is if you plan the breed or you show.

[madrchsod]

8. yes.

it`s the right thing to do. they`ll be just fine.

[Retired AF Dem]

10. You have received all good replies

In my experience when you "fix" a male dog they do have weight gain problems down the road. Keep an eye on that, changes in diet will probably be necessary.

[NoNothing]

12. Listen to Bob Barker

Have your pets spayed or neutered.

[captain disgruntled]

13. Some people claim you can get them a vasectomy...

We had our Jack Russell terrier neutered about 6 years ago. He was about 6 months old, and I think it diminished the amount of masculine aggression he developed--he barks appropriately at stuff like the letter carrier, but tolerates other dogs and children well. He is also a very attentive and obedient dog--I think neutering did him nothing but good. He remains very very lean and fit even in dog middle age.

I agree--especially if you allow your dogs to run unsupervised, it is only responsible to prevent litters you may not even know about! Imagine if you had female dogs, and let one out into your fenced-in yard, only to find some strange male dog accosting her. You'd be pissed!

[SensibleOne]

14. Absolutely, neuter....

I had my 7 month old Beagle pup neutered last month. He is full breed, but I don't intend to breed so definitely neuter! The main reason is unwanted puppies, but behavior concerns too. He hurt for a couple of days and that was it. He's running around right now like a bat outta hell so believe me, they get over it, and very quickly. My 2 year old Austrailian Cattle Dog was spayed at 6 months, again, wasn't going to breed her. With females, before the first heat is best for their health. The two get along great and are pals. Please neuter them, especially since they are free to run around the property, lots of temptations out there, lol.

[skygazer]

15. Neuter them

For a number of reasons -

The danger of unwanted pups

The danger of testicular cancer (very real)

The danger to each other - unneutered male dogs will have territorial issues and may become aggressive toward each other. Your explanation of the older male dog "holding out hope" is incorrect - dogs don't think in such complex ways - his aggression is the result of hormones and will decrease when he is fixed. Also, you run a real risk of losing control of the group - you don't say what breed they are but intact male dogs are as bullheaded as male humans. (no offense)

It is irresponsible to keep intact dogs and let them roam free, even if you are in a rural area. Either neuter them, which I advise, or contain them.

[TexasSissy]

16. Neutering is a good thing to do for your male dogs.

The last thing this country needs is more unwanted dogs, which is what we get when male dogs remain un-neutered. Some people figure that it's not their responsibility, since their dogs are male. But the fact still remains that some bitch in heat will have puppies that wind up possibly unloved, unwanted, starving, stray, or have to be put to sleep.

Your male dogs will calm down just a bit, after you have them neutered. They won't go to extremes to get at females, possibly getting injured in the process. They tend to fight with other male dogs less.

My current dog is neutered. He wasn't neutered until he was about two years old (I found him at that age). He had no problem with it whatsoever. He is one happy doggie. Imagine how frustrating it would be for him to want sex and not have a female around (he's an only dog).

Do it. You'll be glad you did. It's no big deal. He doesn't have the same feelings about his testicles that human men do. Dogs are mainly about eating, sleeping, and pooping.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. At that age, they don't cut the testicles off

At least my vet didn't on my 3 year old golden. They take out the sac and the dog goes through a healing process and the testicles become necrotic and shrink away.

It is better for the dog and for his temperament as well.

[jukes]

18. all good reasons for "yes".

also consider that a neutered dog is less likely to break out & roam; hence, lowering risk of him getting struck by a vehicle, jumped on by neighboring dogs, or defending himself against attack from animal or human and getting you involved in court.

all +s; only minus is that they'll be a tad less energetic &/or aggressive if you use them for security (but they'll still "alert"!).

[China_cat]

19. If you don't breed to improve the breed

DON'T TAKE A CHANCE ON BREEDING. Spay and neuter is the kindest gift you can give your animals and yourself.

Intact males, especially. You have 4. Intact you'll get fights over dominance, increased aggression and a real chance of testicular cancer.

Neutered they won't be as 'hard', will be more loving. Better personality because the testosterone won't be getting in the way.

[Carolina]

20. Absolutely!

Owner of 2 neutered male mutts here. They're happy as can be. Neutering is not cruel; it's the responsible thing to do.

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

21. Yes, definitely. Spay & neuter. Always a good idea.

[daisygirl]

22. Yes, please get them neutered!

Like everyone else said, it's a very minor surgery.

Be warned that some of the more unsavory habits of intact dogs (like humping everything in sight) won't disappear overnight, though, especially in older dogs--it takes a while.

[Wcross]

23. Thanks for the input all!

I already had the appointment made and all but as I was taking my shower this morning I got to thinking about it and was having second thoughts. As a guy you tend to take things like this a bit more seriously than you should I guess.
As of next Tuesday afternoon they will be fixed.
Thanks all for the reassurance.

[Jose Diablo]

24. Yes, it is the right thing to do

They will much more even emotionally. If they could speak, after it was over I am sure they would thank you.

Fact is, it is the best solution for freepers also.

[Wcross]

25. Here is a picture of the pups taken this spring

Moe is in the upper left, Curly is on the right and Larry is on the lower left.

[Logansquare]

26. Remember, they don't "cut off the balls"

Some people think neutering involves "cutting off" something, and thus mutilating one's pet. In fact they simply surgically remove the testes from the scrotum. The scrotum looks a little raw, since its shaved and has an incision, but it heals quickly and the animal looks the same, except the scrotum doesn't bulge very much. My cats took more time recovering from teeth cleaning than they did from neutering. Human males have to stop personalizing this operation, because not doing it can cause a lot of misery for pets and for people.