I don't think anyone is saying neutering is wrong - period.
What they are saying is that it's wrong to do it to make things easy for yourself (e.g. not cleaning blood up, or keeping dogs seperate)
They are also saying a puppy shouldn't be neutered as they havent finished growing and maturing. Sexual organs produce hormones for more reasons than reproducing.

I think its because of KCJack's very black and white (and in my opinion niaive/inexperienced) view of things. She implies that neutering at 6 months will cure all behaviour problems and that without it all male dogs will go on to reproduce hundreds of unwanted pups. This just isn't the case.

I've had 4 male dogs in my life. Two as family dogs were un-neutered, and if I'm honest, complete nightmares as far as chasing bitches and trying to fight off males. Two vets gave advice, one said neuter, the other said not (as he claimed it would cause the dog to lose interest in life and become fat and lathargic).

With hindsight it was almost certainly lack of correct training/socialising etc. that escalated these problems, but I do now wish that we had at least tried chemical castrastration (not even sure if that was an option back then) to see whether it helped.

The 3rd was a neutered male rescue dog. he was perfect - active, fit and obedient and not really interested in other dogs of either sex. But I have no idea how old he was when he was neutered or what he'd have been like had he not been so.

So from those 3 experiences, I was pretty pro-neutering.

Then came Tip. Two year old entire male, but again perfect. He will play happily with dogs of either sex but shows no sexual interest at all - I honestly think he doesn't know what his bits are for.

So with him I've been thinking why would I put him through an operation he doesn't need and risk the change in hormones affecting his lovely temperament? In other words - why try and fix something that ain't broke?

IMO rescues neutering male dogs probably is the best option because they can't afford to see how the dog matures and even with the best home checks, they can never be 100% certain what the dog's future holds.

But that doesn't mean that it is right for every male dog to be neutered at 6 months of age.

It would be down to each individual circumstances with regards to the dog and the owner! I don't think it is a one size fits all process.
Becky

I neutered my boys partially to make things easier for myself!

Where we live currently, local people don't think twice about letting their dogs out to roam. There are at least 10 dogs down our street (5 belonging to our next door neighbour alone) who I regularly see on the road, meandering along (dogs who roam include JRTs, Cockers, Springers, GSDs and Labs - mostly working dogs)

In most cases, I know that they are NOT spayed or castrated, and the owners don't care if their bitch has puppies or not, and will just sell them anyway.

Given that I have a breed of dog who can scale a 6ft fence if they wish, I wanted to make sure that if the worst happened, they couldn't sire a litter, and hopefully wouldn't have 'the urge' to leap the fence after the in-season GSD bitch who wees on my front lawn!

(P.S. We've spoken to the dog warden numerous times... don't even go there....)

Iso - thats not the only reason though.
Your boys often mix, and stay with their Mum & sister - and all accidents are bad, but that accident would be worse!

This old argument again.

I doubt anyone has a problem with responsible owners keeping their dogs intact. Why should they? if they are responsible, their dog won't be a problem to anyone else. However, I think we all know that the majority of owners of intact dogs are not what I would describe as responsible.

Just last week I was walking in local woodland with my Lab and a neighbours dog that I was walking when we came across a woman with SIX off lead Golden Retrievers. She hollered to me that two of them in season, so could I please call mine away. In fact, her exact words were; "Is that a dog? oh it is a dog! oh, you had better get him on lead, two of mine are in season, yours might follow me back my car". Why on earth should I put my neutered, well behaved dog on lead so she can have her bitches that were in season off lead? no chance...I continued walking.

Not sure where Ramble or anyone has suggested that she is a superior trainer because she has intact dogs

One could also take offence at your assumption that those who keep intact dogs are irresponsible


The point that is being made by some is that castration is not the cure for all, there are equally as many castrated dogs with problems as there are intact ones.

Personally I'm not against neutering, my male is neutured but my bitch isnt just due to the age we got her at. It's the view she has that all behaviour problems will be solved by castrating young - which it always isn't. and that 'accidents' will happen because dog's aren't neutered!!Yes you do get some 'accidents' happening but not every owner should be tarred with the same brush, some of us are responsible owners.

Pidge there is plenty of articles (some have already been posted here many times) on the negatives of early castration.... its up to you to read and judge, it is also worth noting you will find as many that are pro!!

But as for those your post is directed too, if you want factual evidence, then you're talking to those with experience, if you choose question and dismiss their opinions because you have not found any evidence, thats up to you.

Nobody is forcing anyone to do anything they dont want to, nor are they imposing their views on others, they are talking from experience with data to back it up.

I don't disagree with neutering(having Jessie spayed next year she has HD & also atypical seasons-one week of being ready to mate only !)I'm against pre puberty neutering having seen the results in friends dogs & a puppy by one of my GSDs who had to be castrated at 7 ½ weeks due to a testicular hernia-there was no choice for the baby puppy as his testicles had become gangrenous.