“Spay and neuter”, they said. It’s good for their health, they said.
More troubling, despite the unambiguous statements made by proponents of the salutary effects of spay-neuter on dogs, a series of long-term research programs has begun to show that the effects are far more subtle — and sometimes outright damaging. Benjamin Hart, a researcher and veterinarian at the University of California, Davis, has led the biggest effort to date to see exactly what the repercussions of desexing might be, in the long term, using the database from his university’s veterinary hospital. By removing dogs’ reproductive organs, gonadectomies also remove their main source of hormones — estrogen, testosterone and progesterone — each of which has a role not just in reproduction, but systemically through the body.
The first publication by Dr. Hart and his team, in 2013, reported that desexing golden retrievers, especially before six months of age, increased their risk of serious joint diseases, four to five times over the risk intact dogs face. They have since found higher rate of joint diseases among desexed Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers, Bernese mountain dogs and St. Bernards. Risks of cancer increase multifold in spayed goldens, neutered boxers and all Bernese. Desexed dogs of all types suffer higher rates of obesity. One of the most touted claims of spay-neuter — that it increases an animal’s life span — may be tempered by the finding that with an increased life span comes an increase rate of life-taking cancers.
[…]
Similarly, the oft-cited behavioral improvements of desexed dogs are questionable. Dr. Hart has reported that only one in four male dogs neutered for reasons of “aggression” shows less of the behavior after the surgery; the same holds for rates of mounting and excessive urine-marking. In females, there is even some evidence of an increase in aggressive behaviors if they are spayed before the age of 1.
The argument against routine spay-neuter is framed in animal rights blather, which is crocodile delicious. The same activist veterinarians who’ve enacted bans on “elective” animal husbandry procedures (like cat declawing and tail docking) apparently did so without considering that these surgeries keeping their clinic lights on are also “elective”.
Kate, a question for a professional. Is there merit in an argument that spaying bitches (laparoscopically) that are not going to be breed after they reach five or six years is desirable in order to reduce the risk of pyometra?
Yes, it’s advised to spay older bitches to eliminate pyo risk, which is real. And for those breeds at high risk of mammary cancer (boxers, for one), a spay before the first heat season may reduce the risk. My opinion, and that of a growing number of others (including veterinarians) is to wait until after the first heat season is complete.
Thanks, appreciate the response.
I do not have adequate knowledge regarding the subject but my personal experience with dogs is as follows. Our first family dog was a female sable and white collie, she was spayed as a pup and lived for 15 years. Our next one was a white fur ball spoodle thingy, spayed as a pup lived about the same length of time. The last dog we had was a spaniel lab mix, spayed as a pup, she was very healthy and active and lived 18 years. When we moved to a condo apartment we decided that there would be no more dogs mainly because of the apartment. I think apartment living is unfair for a dog.
To your last statement, I entirely agree, and the larger the breed, the bigger the unfairness. And yet, living in a condo in central Calgary surrounded by other condo buildings, I see many such dogs being walked in the evenings. Our bylaws fortunately ban them, but I scratch my head over people confining animals they puport to care about. Dogs need more space than you can get with a walk twice a day, and you can’t get that downtown. I’m guessing they’re also probably confused when the dogs act out and destroy things, whether neutered or not.
ACM, it is sad that people are unable to see what they are doing to an animal they purport to love.
“the larger the breed, the bigger the unfairness.”
That is not incessantly true. a border collie or a boxer will have much greater exercise requirements than most giant breeds.
In my experience having a dog in an apartment is not a great idea most of the time but not always. Lots depends on the breeds exercise requirements and the owner lifestyle, work habits. To give you an example a friend of mine lives in a two bedroom apartment, works from home and jogs every day for more than an hour with his Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The dog gets walked four or more times a day. He is fine despite being a very active dog that requires a lot of exercise and regular human contract. It does not work for everyone but it works for some.
Besides what rational person wants to live in a shoe box apartment in a the middle of some liberal shithole?
Dogs are not here for our convenience? Yes they are.
For what one wishes would be the very last time—the fact that a woman who would not bat an eye at getting her seventh abortion because the baby would get in the way of her sex life cries like a little girl when her toy dog dies (a mercy to the poor dog, born with dwarfism and a host of other congenital syndromes making every waking moment hell) does not give dogs the right to breed like vermin. It just demonstrates how breathtakingly self-centered and childish the woman really is.
The real difference between dogs and women is that dogs have been bred to be loyal—and know when they’re well off. They can even be trained not to whine over nothing.
Humans need fixing? You first, my dear. If I want someone to tell me how to treat my dog, I’ll ask a reputable dog breeder whose livelihood depends on actually knowing what the good goddamn he’s talking about.
As a dog owner of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with a CH credentialed heredity, I dutifully fulfilled my purchase agreement to have her spayed just before 6 months. By the way, old guy, some breeds of dogs can be quite content living in an urban environment. I did my research well before meeting breeders in my area, learning that Cavs do not need too much exercise, compared with other breeds. Thirty minutes outdoors keeps her happy, plus we live in a townhouse with several levels and balconies.
Back to spaying: I agree with you Kate, that the way spaying is done is not a good idea. My dog’s brother was shown and achieved CH status and bred. What I noticed was that the natural Cavalier coat changes after surgery, such that I now need to have grooming. Her brother had an awesome coat too, before he was “retired” at age 5. Now, he is also has developed a thicker, curly coat. It actually makes no sense to take out all the plumbing before puberty, as we could maybe use tubal ligation or something that preserves hormone-producing organs. Not sure … You are the expert, and I have read your files.
When I finally escape this CA hellhole, and find my long-dreamed-of Country property (min. 20 acres). I hope to become a dog owner again. I am thinking of a couple English Springer Spaniels (I’ve always admired them, and might even train them -and me- to hunt). Any advice on Spaniel breeds? Or is your knowledge limited to the “toys”?
I know a bit, but not much .. english springers are definitely hunting dogs, like their distant Cavalier cousins. Cavaliers first showed up in King Charles I photos, being bred as royal companions and bird flushers for hunts, having been cross-bred with maybe asian house dogs, e.g., pekanese or bulldogs. My baby loves to chase birds, but would be useless on a real hunt, I suspect, but she would like it. The current breed was revived by an American circa 1926. They need love, so really should not be crated for a complete long workday, which is why I waited until retired. My dog is almost showable, but her backline is a bit off, not affecting her gate.
English Springers would love your acreage and the work you train them for. They do need people love, so are not yard dogs, and they need way more exercise than my sweet Cav. Find a great breeder and buy some who come from a good line with few health issues, which you can research. Train them very carefully when young and you will be blessed for years.
Springers are wonderful. Both English and Welsh. Any established gun dog breed is wonderful. But don’t torture one if every member of your family has a 9-5 job. The exercise requirement is considerable but access to their humans is more important. They just do not want to be alone. Again it is not enough to give them exercise and get them tired. Contact is the key. Yes, you will never use the toilet alone again. I am writing this as my flattie rests on my feet but is increasingly fidgeting indicating she needs a walk. What is a flattie? This: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FflNNUr68uw once you get one no other breed will compete. They are very fragile though.
Presently have a Springer but my favorite was a Brittany, about two thirds the size and loads of personality. Intelligent, good looks, low in aggression and high in loyalty, either are a friend to everything in the dog park. The only downsize is that they are perpetual high energy puppies. Excellent choices.
It used to be less of an issue, but I wonder what it’s doing to people nowadays. I’ve got to think some of this will apply to all the spaying/neutering people are doing to do themselves.
This started in the 70’s, with vasectomies of convenience, or before. The event was even celebrated where I lived in our Ontario community. I am now happy that my mid-life son and his wife want a third, despite the fact they are under-housed. They produce wonderful kids.
With regard to efforts to control feral canine populations through spay/neuter programs… I believe that neutering has been tried in some areas where feral dogs are problematic, specifically in areas of the Middle East where large packs of wild dogs roam freely (I’ve personally viewed these dog packs on the run, and it is at once an awesome and frightening sight). The neutering option was used as a more humane alternative to simply shooting the animals, and it didn’t turn out as expected. The result was that neutering was invariably fatal, as the pack would eventually turn on the neutered male.
Rick
No Doubt about that whatsoever….evidenced daily.
lot of ‘stuff’ on the tellie about canines.
dogs with special jobs, dogs descended from wolves, recognized breeds.
well, I got a fridge magnet, ‘I care about my dog and like, maybe 3 people’ which pretty much sums it up.
the new tenant asked and was allowed to bring a puppy into the house so now we have 3 canines and Molly the cat whose been here the longest so she has dybs. apparently including sneaking upstairs at night and chewing a hole in the dog food bag.
sometimes people ‘name’ their house. Im gonna rig up a sign, ‘das Kritter Haus’, an approximation of German slang (part of the joke).
it has been suggested Power Point cna generate the 11″ X 33″ document to take to the printer shop.
Im gonna do it.
at least half of my estate is going to an animal rehab organization.
I live on a farm. I keep a big dog and usually buy a second one when the old one hits 10 or so. It’s always male and I always have him fixed. When I was growing up we never fixed our dogs and they used to disappear for a week or two at a time, kind of like me as a young pup. Fix them and they don’t wander.
I know I am about to get flamed for this opinion … however …
Every single Pitbull and Pitbull cross breed needs to be spayed and neutered. No exceptions. The rampant breeding and proliferation of this breed used NOT for companionship, or as a working partner, but as a WEAPON has to be stopped. If it were up to me, I would do everything in my power to “thin the herd”, including registration of every single pit-_ _ _ _ as a lethal weapon requiring an insurance policy of $10M. Yeah … even your “gentle pit-bitch or bastard that never hurt a fly, and was the most gentle, loving pet you’ve ever had … yeah … right up until they weren’t.
K, yep.
Kenji.
As a medic and can tell you the real hard facts of what damage these dogs can do you to our your dog. Their jaw power is outrageous. Few years ago we were called to a dog fight with a person involved. This lone dog (Pit) not only did huge damage to the other dog, but the owner of the dog he was walking had major damage to his arm.
A Sheriff officer tried hitting the dog in the head with his nightstick . The Pit never let go. The office finally shot the dog.
The lady who own the dog was sued for damages. The person who was bitten has major scaring and nerve damage.
You can guess the typical answer. My dog is always nice. Some of the neighbors who knew her had other opinions.
Kenji, it starts with Pitbulls, and then Rottweilers, and then German Sheppards, Ridgebacks, Dobermans. Yes, it is a slippery slope. Yes, they will eventually come for your retriever next. Pitbulls are the assault riffles of the dog world. Just look at Ireland. There is no reason to destroy breeds and punish people who were responsible breeders and owners for their entire lives in order to prevent street thugs from owning them. They will just move to a different breed as they have always done in places where pitbulls were banned. Culling the street thug population (instead of importing them form every turd world shithole) is a much better solution.
Pitbulls were bred for bloodsport, to amuse riffraff who enjoyed watching dogs kill each other.
The only possible respectable use I can see for them—theoretically—is to patrol the death zone of a real border wall, trained to go for the throat of anybody foolhardy enough to try to enter a civilized nation with a proper visa.
As it is, pitbulls are useful only to thugs who train the dog to go for the throat if anybody looking like a “pig.” It would make the most sense to find a way to prevent thugs from owning dogs at all, along with guns or motorized vehicles (getaway cars).
Like clockwork, you never fail to demonstrate your bottomless idiocy. Now substitute pitbulls for assault weapons and you got your classic bed wetting common sense gun control argument.
no flames from me k. the ‘nebber hut a fry’ is a convenient excuse which in no way has EVER decisively irrefutably proven said aggressive behaviour will never happen. lots and lots of breeds, individual dogs attack.
the issue with pit bulls is when *they* attack, the outcomes are severe. that makes them the exception *regardless* of proportionate stats etc. the breed was banned and phased out in ontariowe some time ago.
fine by me.
I agree. Pitt bulls are a bad breed, developed to fight hard. One attacked my niece.
Bob Barker is full of sh!t.
Bless the dogs.
Book by the monks of New Skete.
Coffee table book for anyone that has ever had a canine companion
“The only problem with dogs is they don’t live long enough. They always seem to leave us when we are most in need of their reassurance presence. Dogs make us believe we can be the person they think we are”
I lent my copy to a friend… I hope I have that quote correct. My loyal golden retriever is chewing a stick after his evening romp. My wife has a home office and flexible hours. He is well taken care of. The only reason I have to clean my boat is that a wet golden gets lots of duck hunting rides.
Dog is God spelled another way. Look close and listen to a dog. You will be rewarded
A prayer: “God please help me be the man my dog thinks I am.”
Given the number of progeny a bitch can produce in a lifetime, then most of them must either die or not be born if the planet is not to be overrun with dogs. We could leave it to nature of course, which would mean most dying from starvation, disease or injury and leave survivors less suited to domestic life.
Or we can intervene either by preventing breeding or by killing a large number, as we currently intervene with veterinary medicine.
There isn’t a perfect solution, nature doesn’t allow that.
But it seems less unkind to prevent the birth of a pup than to kill it, and less unkind to kill a dog than let it die.
Also I’m sure dogs do like sex- they do it because they want to after all. But is it less unkind to leave the desire intact whilst preventing the occurrence, or to artificially reduce the desire.
Whilst there are certainly dogs in shelters because of their previous owners shortcomings, there are equally dogs in shelters because they are not sociable with other dogs and/or people.
furthermore, is there no, and can there never be, an option to perform a vasectomy on the male canine?
what is SOOOOOOO outlandish about that? all the hormones and normal behaviour intact, buuuuut . . . . .
jist me t’inkin outside da boxe agin !!!!