To neuter or not?? Help please.
 

We have a 4 month old yorkie who's our first pet. We adore him more than we ever thought we could. We got him when he was 9 weeks old and from the first day we had him, he was humping my stuffed bunny (which has now become HIS stuffed bunny). The humping doesn't bother us. The decision to neuter him does. We're not completely sold on neutering him. I've been told it's healthier for the dog, etc. I'd like to know what we should expect if we don't neuter him and what to expect if we do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Some dogs that are NOT neutered spray to mark their territory. So he may spray in your house when he gets older. Also, there is a high risk of unaltered dogs getting cancer. It's much safer to have dogs neutered/spayed to reduce this risk. I've also heard the unaltered dogs like to roam (to look for females).

My friend Brittany has a website which discusses spaying and neutering. It is www.mylittlemia.com She is also a member of YT. She has a lot of other useful info on her website as well.

I have my both dogs altered and I'm so happy I did it. They are better behaved and I don't have to worry about them getting cancer at an early age. Good luck with your decision!

Thanks for the quick response Jennifer!

You're welcome. Your little boy (in my opinion) is young anyway - he still has some time. I had my Maltese neutered at 6 months and my Yorkie at 7 (because she is so tiny).

My vet Dr. Bogdan told me that an un-neutered male can be a little unpleasant to have around your house if you don't plan on breeding him often. Unaltered males usually spray as they mature. They will probably spray in your house, and it can't be fun to have your house smell like that. Also, unaltered males are suceptible (sp?) to certain cancers that altered males won't get. My vet also told me that if there is a female in heat across the street or walking down the side walk and your male senses that, he will do everything in his power to get out of the hous and get to her. Unaltered males can also become a little bit aggressive. If you do decide to get your male neutered, make sure to do it between 4-6 months or whenever your vet recommends to prevent the above problems from happening. Good luck with your decision!

Just like Jennifer, I am so happy that I got Riley neutered and have decided to neuter TJ on Aug. 10. I don't have to worry about them doing any of the above things or getting certain cancers.

Thanks for your response. I'm so glad I found this website. It's comforting to hear from other yorkie lovers and not know that I'm just relying on a vet's decision. Although I trust our vet, it ultimately is a business for them. I just want to be 100% sure, so thanks to all who respond.

I was roaming around the new and improved ASPCA website, and I found some really great reasons to spay or neuter your pet.

1. Your female dog or cat will live a longer, healthier life.
Spaying-the removal of the ovaries and uterus-is a veterinary procedure performed under general anesthesia that usually requires minimal hospitalization. Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent pyometra (pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer. Treatment of pyometra requires hospitalization, intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Breast cancer can be fatal in about 50 percent of female dogs and in 90 percent of female cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.

2. There are major health benefits for your male animal companion, too.
Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male dog or cat-the surgical removal of the testicles-prevents testicular cancer and prostate disease, if done before six months of age.

3. Your spayed female won't go into heat.
While cycles can vary greatly, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently-sometimes all over the house. Unspayed female dogs generally have a bloody discharge for about a week, and can conceive for another week or so.

4. You male dog won't need to roam away from home…
An intact male in search of a mate will do just about anything to get one! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.

5. …and he will be much better behaved to boot!
Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Indoors, male dogs may embarrass you by mounting on furniture and human legs when stimulated. And FYI, a neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as unneutered dog--and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.

6. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
It's no use to use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds-not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.

7. Spaying or neutering is highly cost-effective.
The cost of your pet's spay or neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with neighborhood strays…or the cost of cleaning the carpet that your unspayed female keeps mistaking for her litter box, or the cost of…well, you get the idea!

8. It's good for the community.
Stray animals pose real problems in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause vehicular accidents, damage the local fauna and scare children.

9. Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to witness the miracle of birth.
We've heard this one a lot. But you know what? Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping teaches your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the trust behind this dangerous myth. There are countless books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a responsible manner.

10. It packs a powerful punch in the fight against pet overpopulation.
Millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

Much thanks, again!

You are very welcome!

neuter

HI>>> Neuter him as soon as vet will do it.. They make the best pet don't run off and are just the best pet possible.. If you wait it's lifting leg all over they house.. I think the male makes a better pet than the female as females will mark even if they are spade..

Rosie

I agree with you. Some unaltered males do make great pets, but if the owner isn't planning to show them or breed them, the best thing is just to neuter them to prevent accidental breedings, aggressive behavior, testicular and prostate cancer, spraying/marking, etc. I am very happy that your males are very well behaved, but some aren't. Good luck in your show career! Hopefully, one day you will make it on tv to the Eukanuba Tournament of Champions! :D

He kinda SEMI lifts his leg SOMETIMES when he pees ( it's rare, but I've seen him do it 2 or 3 times in the 3 months we've had him). Does that mean our decision should be made sooner rather than later? The vet told me that if we decide to, we can wait until he's a year old, but ultimately suggested 6-12 months).
Thanks to all again for responding!! I'm reading everything i can find on this!

I wish I could know if our boy would end up being as awesome as yours....