To neuter or not to neuter...

[tatianka3006]

So everyone and their brother has been telling me to neuter my puppy. The only thing is - most of the reasons they all give me is supposedly a convenience for me, not really for the dog. Where as I don't care for my own convenience, I want my dog to be happy and healthy.
I am still on the fence about neutering. For a while now I've been very much leaning towards not neutering him. I feel that it's not natural. He's started marking things (not really much at home, just in other people's houses or outside), so I'm working as hard as I can to train him not to mark. (If anyone has any tips on that do tell!) But he isn't aggressive at all, he is extremely friendly with people and other dogs - I feel like I did a good job socializing him when I first got him.
The only good reason that I agree with is potential problems with prostate and testicular cancer later in his life. And I am all for to neutering him later in life.
One of the vets told me that neutering doesn't always 100% fix behavioral problems. So if it doesn't it's not like they'll be able to put it back in you know.
And I don't know for sure, but maybe Pippin will be a daddy someday.

[gcoronado4]

Neuter him! Best choice ever.

[DvlshAngel985]

With the hormones rushing through his body, you really are going to have an uphill battle on the marking situation. Also, your dog might be nice and not aggressive to you, but around other dogs, especially around other males he can surprise you. If you take your dog with you when your visiting, marking a friend's or a family member's will get tiresome over time. Once or twice, a relative will forgive you for it, more than that and it will be a nuisance.

You reduce the risk of him running away because he's chasing tail. (literally) An intact male can smell a female in heat miles away. Other than the possibility of dying from testicular cancer, he can also die from getting run over by a car for running after a female.

A neutered male is also easier to train.

Sorry, I don't know what health benefits there are to a dog keeping his testicles. Other than waiting for his development to finish (growth plates close) before neutering.

[DvlshAngel985]

Saw a typo but it's too late to edit. It should be "marking a friend's or a family member's home will get tiresome over time."

[kjcmsw]

Have him wear a belly band. Get a couple vet opinions re: the real likelihood of cancer, etc. Our vet said that though those things can happen it's very rare and with human cancers one can never say with 100% certainty what actually caused it. Also, ask yourself...have you ever met anyone's dog that had that type of cancer? Our vet also said that unless one gets it done at a very early age (generally earlier than most vets like to do it) behavior changes are minimal. Once it's done and someone has a mellow dog a year after the fact, can't say that the dog wouldn't have been mellow without the surgery. They won't chase females if they aren't exposed in females in heat.
Though I have girl dogs now, growing up and until about fifteen years ago I always had male dogs, none were ever neutered, none ever died or got sick from not being neutered, no worse for the wear, none ever marked in the house, none ever chased/whined for a female (because they were never around in heat females), none ever bred with any females, none were aggressive...in fact comparing males to females, the males are (in my experience) so much easier.
Neutering/spaying is a personal choice and only one that you can decide what is best for you, your situation, your dog.

[Jennxling]

I personally feel that neutered male dogs make greater pets! They won't have marking issues and less possessive.

[lady40jay]

Definitely neuter him! He will be happier without raging harmones and healthier without the risk of testicular cancer. Neutered males are calmer and not so prone to mark.

Jeanette

[susan lynn]

I would definitely neuter, I have 2 males that are neutered and 2 females that are spayed. I think it is the best decision. You can't guarantee they won't ever be around a female in heat. If he ever got out of the house he would be gone. My brother had a schnauzer he chose not to neuter and he would dig out of the fence every chance he got, brother had to spend a lot of money to make the fence secure. I also think it makes them better pets an they get along with my girls better.

[kdhawks]

Definitely neuter.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

I say neuter him. I am very pro neuter and pro spay though because of the out of control pet population. That way no accidents occur. But also, one of my friends have a male yorkie and he has become much better since his neuter. She was having a few behavioral issues but now she is not. I know she was glad she did it. My vote is neuter.

[Lovetodream88]

I am for neutering too

[Britster]

I am for neutering... however, I do think there are legitimate reasons not to neuter in certain instances. I also think it's important to wait until their growth plates are closed, etc. I personally would never own an unaltered dog but that's me. Generally speaking the trouble maker dogs at the dog park are dogs NOT neutered! All they are concerned about is lifting their leg on *everything*, humping everything, and are often more aggressive... coincidence? I don't think so.

I personally feel there are hardly enough pros/cons on BOTH sides (to neuter or not to neuter) that you might as well just neuter, simply for the pet overpopulation we have in this world. I don't think the health risks either way are that great... so just do it!

[Lorraine]

Definitely neuter him. Neutered/spayed dogs make way better pets. Also you mentioned about him possibly being a daddy someday. Problem is, is he really worthy to pass on his genes which breeding purebreds properly registered with a bona fide registery should be aobut. Do you plan on showing him to his championship title? Are you planning on having a reputable show breeder see him and tell you if he is show worthy? Is his pedigree such that his genes would be an asset? Any genetic health issues in his lines that you know about and what about if it is unknown which is so common of you have a dog from breeders who don't know or aren't concerned aobut health issues.
Too much to consider and trust me, a reputable breeder will not be wanting to use him at stud. Our criteria for our breeding program is very high before an outside stud dog is considered.

[KazzyK810]

Unless you have an absolutely oustandingly beautiful healthy representation of the breed, genetically tested to be free from hereditary defects, why would you breed?

What kind of dog is Pippin?

[SpArKyOfCaLi]

IMHO I believe neutering is the way to go.

My reasoning behing neutering is also because there is an over population of dogs already, why risk contributing to that? When Sparky finishes all his shots, I will be taking him to the dog park and our park do not allow unneutered males and females in heat. But believe it or not, there was one time (long time ago, when I had my first dog he was a schnauzer mix) that a dog owner brought his female in heat and there were rule breakers in there that had unneutered males...you can probably guess what happened next.

With that said though, it is your choice and what you think is the best for you and your dog.