Hi, we are hoping to get a male border terrier and have been told that you don't have to have a male spayed? We wouldn't want to put a dog through it if it's not necessary.What is people's advice on this ? Is it better for the dog?
Does it effect behaviour if you don't ?
Thanks
Natalie

The jury is out re castration so I can only say how I feel.   And that is NO.  Unless for a medical reason eg. retained testicles but even then, it can usually wait at least until the pup is close on 1 year, at least, and the growth plates have closed.  I prefer to make sure my hounds can't wander off, siring unwanted litters (if mating were that easy with my main breed ) and leave them entire.   I agree, however small castration surgery is, it's still surgery with a general anaesthetic.

Castration will ONLY prevent unwanted litters.   It's not a cure-all for bad behaviour.  Training, and more training should!

You mean castration not spaying I think(spaying is hysterectomy).

I personally would only castrate on medical grounds & then only after the dog is fully mature & has gone through puberty.

The"popular"veterinary way is to castrate as early as possible sadly, forgetting that testosterone(male sex hormones)are needed to ensure that the growth plates at the ends of the bones close at the correct time & that the bone itself develops correctly. Early removal of the main source of testosterone prevents this & the dog can develop problems with its joints & bone density.

Should male dogs be castrated ? Down to the owners personal choice, in some dogs even correctly timed castration can affect the coat making it difficult to groom. It does mean that the dog will eventually become sterile(but not overnight) & it may stop some unwanted behaviours(for example scent marking) but there is no guarantee.

Any elective surgery should be thought about in depth & the pros & cons fully investigated before being carried out & no one should be pressured by the veterinary profession into castrating their pet

I have attached an independent vet report on the decision to neuter or not.       I hope it may help you to make the right decision.

Personally I do not believe in neutering for convenience and certainly not just because my vet says that I should.

As mentioned  above by MamaBas; Castration will ONLY prevent unwanted litters.  It is not a cure-all for bad behaviour.  Training and more training with respect for you and your commands is essential for all dogs, whatever sex.

I am unable to print the attachment below with the "WolfTucker" heading.    Sorry.

https://www.wolftucker.co.uk/blog/neutering-your-dog-making-an-informed-decision/

..

You may find this article of some interest: The Pros and Cons of Neutering

On regarding health, there are more negatives than positives regarding castrating males.

General rule of thumb if it aint broke don't fix it.  If you don't have an entire breeding bitch on the premises, nor does an immediate neighbour then your responsibility regarding unwanted litters is being a responsible owner keeping your dog safely confined or with you when out.

Many of the perceived/hoped for benefits of castration are really down to maturity and training.

Some of the worst dogs I know for humping and marking are neutered males, ditto aggression.

Testosterone is the confidence hormone, so no shy or nervous dog should be neutered as they then often resort to fear aggression, as many dogs are confused by the smell of a neuter, and he may be approached by dogs treating him as an in season bitch.

Medically, castration prevents testicular cancer.  That's it.  Behaviourally, it may help some hormonal behaviours (e.g. I've recommended a client's dog be neutered because he is absolutely obsessed with scenting other dogs to the point of licking up wee, and I cannot walk him with others as he spends the entire walk trying to get to them to sniff their bits no matter how many times he's met them).  But, it may make some worse, most notably if the dog is at all nervous or prone to being spooky, because you're taking away that hormonal support.

In that respect, as Brainless has seen, things like humping and marking can become much worse because there are, in many cases, driven by insecurity.  And certainly aggression, which is a fear-based behaviour in the vast majority of cases.

On the whole, if the dog is happy and healthy then I would leave well alone.

Hi can anyone help
I have a staffy pup he’s roughly around 3 months I’m planning to have him neutered when he is just over 6 months he is around a bitch 3 days a week when I’m at work .. once he’s been done will he still have an interest in her when she’s in season an try to get on her ? The bitch was going to be spayed as will not be bred but someone has told me it will make no difference either way he will still try it with her if she’s done aswell
Thanks in advance

Before u even consider neuter please read through this article and also some of the answers above.
6 months is far to early for his health u are risking all sorts of things including joint and ligament damage https://www.champdogs.co.uk/blog/pros-and-cons-of-neutering  . One two three has also posted more links on goldenfrenzy post about arthritis explaining the risks of early neutering
As for will he still be interested  in bitches in season it is possible he just wont beable to reproduce. 
I am sure others will add their comments soon

Castrated dogs don't necessarily lose the inclination or ability to mate and tie with an in-season bitch, but they cannot sire puppies from a few weeks after the operation. A spayed bitch will not come in season and therefore won't interest him, although he's still likely to hump her if he gets over-excited.

Yes he will still be interested and can still tie with her so i always say keep any males away from an in season bitch whether neutered or not.
Far easier to get her spayed and wait for your lad to mature mentally and physically before he is done

> Yes he will still be interested and can still tie with her so i always say keep any males away from an in season bitch whether neutered or not. <br />Far easier to get her spayed and wait for your lad to mature mentally and physically before he is done

I'm one for spaying the bitch, not castrating the dog unless for medical need.   I'd prefer not to have a male castration before a year in any case, if at all.   Leaving it until later gives the owner a chance to decide whether castration is going to solve any problems he might have too.

If you are not intending to breed or show your bitch (which with permission from the UK KC, you still can here), why not get her spayed - problem solved re him being upset if she's coming into season all the time.

except bitch also needs to be fully mature mentally and physically unless medical need . Admittedly we don't know her age