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So I have already had a couple of remarks and assumptions made (from the vet,which is prob typical but annoyed me at the time!!),about neutering my irish setter puppy.
Those who push for neutering everything that moves are under the impression that all owners are idiots who will allow their dogs to roam and procreate Willy nuilly.
I have usually had dogs and would only ever castrate if there is a health reason. I once did a young dog because he was difficult to handle during his Junior age and regretted it for the rest of his life, he was a lovely boy but suffered more health problems than any other I have owned and I would never do it again. Providing you do not let him roam I can think of no good reason not to leave the dog and nature intended.
I suppose I'm looking for someone to tell me it doesn't make me the devil incarnate because I don't want to chop my dogs bits off
I do neuter all my dogs but it's personal preference - having a bitch in season here is a PITA and logistical nightmare because even though he was neutered 7 years ago, Remy is very keen and determined to get at the bitch and will mate and tie. He usually ends up irritating everyone so for all our sanities everyone gets the snip! I'd be less bothered about leaving a male entire - but then, they don't end up on restricted exercise for 3/4 weeks twice a year (latchkey males round here mean walks just don't happen during a season).
>So really I suppose I'm looking for someone to tell me it doesn't make me the devil incarnate because I don't want to chop my dogs bits off!!
Am so pleased to see so many views in favour of not neutering,it makes a very refreshing change!!
I think it must just be like someone said that we have been sort of 'conditioned' to think neutering is the way to go and the best thing for the animal,
As well as the coat you can read research papers that found negative health and behaviour problems linked to neutering.
Till my present females I have only experienced male dogs, none were neutered and all lived to a good age 13-14yrs, the most recent to die was 16.5yrs old, none of them died of conditions connected with being intact all their lives. 
I would just say 'I'll make my own decision if and when I have my dog neutered, thank you' and leave it at that. I ask people having my pups to wait (if they have it done) until the dog is mature physically and mentally. One owner's vet harrassed and harranged them for ages - totally out of order. Eventually he gave up, they are very responsible, the dog is perfectly fine. If anyone suggested to me I'd just politely ask them to stop and not engage in any conversation although I'd be happy to provide copies of studies people have suggested. It's not a health thing, it's because they consider everyone to be totally useless at preventing puppies - ok for some people but pretty irritating for responsible people and very poor health wise for their pets.
My sadly missed vet Tom admitted to me once that the only real reason for neutering being pushed was financial.
When I was researching neutering in general I had several vets admit to me they were amazed that none had been sued by the owner of dogs that had been adversely affected but none was prepared for me to publish their name, not surprising I suppose no one wants to invite litigation.
I can't add any more than other much more informed posters have already said, but I would never castrate a dog again unless for medical reasons. One of our boys has been severely affected by it and the changes in him sadden me still. It might rarely happen but I wouldn't take that chance.
Thank you so much all for the replies,have been a real eye opener and reassured me a lot.
Just to add a little aside; I've often said here that my male dogs don't change at all after neutering. Well this morning the latest dog I had castrated (earlier this year) mated and tied with his mother who obviously is in season. It will be fine because it is long enough since he was castrated, but once again it goes to show -it changes nothing other than the ability to sire pups. So when you don't own an entire bitch, it really is pointless!
I've found this thread very interesting because our new edition to the family is a male pup, when we've only ever owned bitches before....so I've been in a quite a quandary about neutering and the right age to do it etc. Owning a boy is a whole new experience for us and we'd been told that other male dogs will most likely take exception to our boy if he stays entire meaning that he could get into all sorts of trouble when we are out and about. The only reason that we were thinking it would be best to get our boy "done" would be to prevent him from getting into fights with other dogs, and I was also told that if left entire a male would be more likely to take off if he picked up the scent of a female in season. Our boy is still way too young to get neutered just now, but after reading this thread I'm going to do much more research into this subject before we make our decision, Thanks! ;)
> we'd been told that other male dogs will most likely take exception to our boy if he stays entire meaning that he could get into all sorts of trouble when we are out and about.
> if left entire a male would be more likely to take off if he picked up the scent of a female in season
Hi, Yes I've still got two old ladies, both are spayed so no problems with them, and yes my lot are all Vizslas ;).
Hi, I don't have your breed but have kept between 4 & 5 intact males together and never had a moments problem, the odd difference of view stopped by my saying 'enough' and off they trot to resume playing, on the other hand I had to re-home a bitch once because she decided she was not going to live with my other bitch and in her mind the answer was to kill her, none of my boys have ever behaved like that.
Our first dog stayed entire his whole life with no associated health problems!
Thanks for the advice, I can see now there's no need to get into a panic about him getting attacked by other males, so my plan is to do some more research, keep an eye on him and just enjoy learning about owning a gorgeous boy :)
Actually many castrated males go on to have problems with other dogs seeing them as bitches and wanting to mount them, especially if they were neutered prior to puberty, which as he grows up he will be unhappy with, this can in turn result in issues for your dog.
> Actually many castrated males go on to have problems with other dogs seeing them as bitches and wanting to mount them, especially if they were neutered prior to puberty, which as he grows up he will be unhappy with, this can in turn result in issues for your
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such as others seeing him as a bitch and constanly being pestered with attempts to mount - a scene of a BH resting on the ground during a long walk with three Shih Tzus attempting to rodger him is something that might make others smile but not me
Irish Setters do look awful once neutered, I wouldnt do it unless it was necessary. Both of my boys are entire, aged 6 and 7, the only one I occasionally have issues with is the one thats been used at stud, he loves the ladies, but then also loves neutered males ...... he is relatively obedient though and does come back when called, now if only neutering stopped them chasing pheasants, then I might consider it !!!!
We have a 3 year old entire male Vizsla, i won't lie puberty was a challenge, and him being my first Vizsla he certainly kept me on my toes! he was at his worst from 18months, he is and has always been a very confident boy, and always had a eye or should i say nose for the ladies!
It's so much easier with bitches isn't it?
and if I had a male dog now, not intended for breeding, I'd either have him done before 6 months - if a rescue I might not have choice anyway - or not at all, and ride out the storm.
Just a thought - many people I meet who are keen to castrate their dogs haven't heard of this option. Including a guy I met in my local park who had his Vizsla castrated to stop it jumping on the sofa . . . if he had had the dog implanted he would have realised that it wasn't his balls causing him to lounge about on human furniture, but his lack of training, and then the dog might have kept his bits!!
> OR castration changes very little -really the only thing it changes is the ability to sire pups.
Then you have been very fortunate.
I'd have hoped castration always stops the ability to sire pups, at least after several weeks!
> Think Lacy means you are very lucky if the only effect it has on your dog is to change it's ability to procreate, many of us have found the effects of castration to be devastating
I think Marianne meant that the only 'positive' behavioural effect she had noticed was inability to procreate, she has herself found pre-pubertal neutering has caused problems for some of her dogs social interactions/standing with other canines.
wow well well i have never heard of this option and it sounds like just what i am looking for, i would like to know whether neutering my bully boy would help or harm,
thanks for these links im having a read now, also am in a dispute on fb at the mo with the Dogs Today Magazine, a topic on their where people are calling for ALL dogs to be Neuted, Agggggggg,,,, except real breeders like most of you of course, but what if this did come in to force, it may not be suitable for my dogs and have no intention of breeding but purley looking at how it could change my boys,
they're trying to crack a nut with a sledge hammer - dealing with the back yard breeders and affecting everyone :-( wish people would think these things through and come up with sensible and workable solutions :-(
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