Why NOT neuter?

Yes, DPU, you remember well.  I AM terrified of snakes.  So much so that while armed with a running lawnmower I let a tiny little 5 inch snake scare me so badly that I set a new world sprinting record getting to the safety of my deck instead of just mulching the darned thing.
 
Perhaps if this poster has a large assortment of pets, s/he would consider using a different one in the avatar??
 
Now, as to the subject of this particular topic....I received an email from someone asking me to step in.  After reading the thread, I believe that the comments I made are applicable.  I can't think of ANY good reason not to spay/nueter, other than the obvious as far as showing and breeding.
 
FWIW, Thor and Sheba think that I walk on water but by golly when the urge to merge hit them, MY opinion on that particular matter made not a whit of difference to them and I seriously doubt that they gave a single thot to not pleasing me....THEIR concern was satisfying that overwhelming urge to procreate.
 
So, if that makes me part of some oldies sisterhood, so be it.  My honest opinion is that there is no good reason NOT to nueter.

Your post was on topic and well recieved by me personally.  No intimidation tactics at all.  Sorry if I briefly caused you distress.  For the record, out of 8 of my dogs, only Drizzle is natural and for reasons I stated.

One disclaimer, though. It is thought in some circles to keep a large breed intact until at least 1 year, to ensure proper growth. Other anecdotal evidence shows that there is no discernable difference in growth of a large breed depending on age of spay/neuter.

Actually there are many studies showing this...it is a known fact.  (I'm glad you brought that up []).  Hormones (like estrogen and testosterone) cause closure of the growth plates.  Without these hormones (neutering/spaying) before the animal is done growing, causes continual expanding of the growth plates (thus causing the dog to grow larger).  In most cases this isn't a big issue (just means if you have a small breed dog and neuter/spay it very early, it may just be larger than it is "supposed" to be).  However, it can become an issue in large/giant breeds if the continual expansion of the growth plates lead to uneven growth between the ligaments, bones, and tendons. 

Thank you, papillon.    I am doing this myself, because to me a few months of absolute vigilance is nothing compared to the years of benefits I feel it could even potentially offer.  My dog may never develop joint problems, but he is a breed susceptible to them and it is my job, as is owner and his leader, to do what I believe possible to prevent that.  If he does eventually develop problems, I will at least know that I did what I could.
 
Apart from research specific to dogs, I have read about the effects of castration on the Castrati opera singers of Italy.  They more often than not suffered and died early as a result of skeletal problems. 
 
Kate

I totally agree on waiting with the large breeds.  Tyler was nuetered at 9 months while he was under for a tooth extraction thanks to his lovely "forever" family.  All of my others have waited until at least one year, most more than that.
 
When the question is, are there good and valid reasons not to nueter, aside from showing and breeding, my answer has to be NO.

ORIGINAL: DPU

Again, the OP was specific on the discussion.  This is not a debate on spay/neuter and I don't understand why those that don't qualify to post, are doing so.  I thought this would be a good thread that I can share my experience and observations because of the OP strict guidelines.  But I guess I can't get away from the sisterhood of oldies and their forceful ways of intimidations.

No one attacked you personally, only your opinion about spay/neuter.    Perhaps you wouldn't mind enlightening me about just who belongs to your alleged "sisterhood of oldies" who supposedly are intimidating you. 
One of the OP's questions has to do with seeing reasons "why not", but I think it is certainly perfectly well OT to tell someone that, unless the dog is to be shown in the breed ring, there probably aren't any reasons not to neuter. 

My wee put is 8 months old and not neutered yet.
I spoke to a vetinary surgeon a few months back who said that they are now recommending not to neuter until approx 14mnths old.  Thgis ensure that the dog/bitch reaches puberty and the sufficient hormones etc and growing is achieved before neutering.  As neutering at 6mnths can hamper growth and development obviously, therfore cause a multitude of problems in later life. 
I am by no means an expert, I am infact a 'virgin' to this dog owning business, i just thought id pass on what id been told. 

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

No one attacked you personally, only your opinion about spay/neuter...
One of the OP's questions has to do with seeing reasons "why not", but I think it is certainly perfectly well OT to tell someone that, unless the dog is to be shown in the breed ring, there probably aren't any reasons not to neuter. 

I disagree.  I do believe if my posts were read all would agree that I can safely say I did not express an opinion.  I did not advise or did I advocate one way or another.  The OP did not ask for an opinion, the OP ask why to not neuter.  Now you can glean from my posts, (if one reads them) my actual opinion.  But the way I read the OP, reasons why is all that is wanted.

ORIGINAL: TinaK

From Chuffy's other post:

My first dog was a dog aggressive intact male. Castration made him worse.

I have to say, I'd be seriously, seriously bummed if my dog would get aggressive or more fearful after the surgery. I could talk to a behaviorist before going for it, but I really don't think I am going to hear anything new than what I've already read on their web sites- "Do neuter."

There is a shortage of professionals whose opinions I trust, that includes vets.

 
Of course most vets will advise you to get it done!  Maybe I'm being cynical, but that's where a lot of their livelihood comes from - routine spay/neuter and routine vaccinations.  Thats just my personal experience from vets I have worked in.  Some vets will advise it because they truly think its the best option - in most cases vets dont know all their clients in person, so yes, better safe than sorry.  We cant guarantee this person is 100% responsible and capable of managing an intact dog, and we don't want any more unwanted puppies, so we'll just tell them to whip it out. Easy.  A lot of behaviourists will do the same for the same reason.  They think, well what if I advised this person against it and the dog ended up having/siring puppies?  How irresponsible of me is that??? Perfectly understandable.
 
OK now I'm going to repeat myself......  The main reasons for neutering are:
1. To prevent puppies - as before stated, adequate husbandry covers this so not necessary for those reasons.
2. To prevent health problems - it causes some as well as preventing some, so what have you gained?
3.  To prevent/help cure undesirable behaviours - good training covers this, so not necessary for that reason either.  And in fact it doesn't always help with retraining and can sometimes make matters worse.
 
So for those people who say they see no reason to not neuter..... is there a reason I am missing out here?  Lets be brutally honest - how many  are neutering because it's in the best interest of the dog - and how many use that as an excuse, while the true reason is their own convenience?
 
I don't think it was wrong of DPU to post relating her personal experience with an entire bitch.  It just goes to show that some dogs really can live happy normal lives without the operation.  They won't necessarily end up diseased or sexually deprived frustrated maniacs or riddled with behavioural problems.  It depends on the individual circumstances and responsible owners should be enouraged to think for themselves and make an informed decision having weighed up the pros and cons of all the options.

The vet I use for spay/neuter is retired.  He works mostly with humane society's and rescue groups.  His charge for the "search and destroy" mission for Theo's undescended testicles was $100.  Yep, he gets rich off that amount.  While both testes were in the abdominal cavity, one was piggy backing a kidney.  Not an easy surgery by any means.  But, yeah, he "encouraged" me to do it to line his pockets.
 
You can hold any opinion you wish, however, kindly don't assume that I nuetered my dogs for any reason other than THEIR well being.  I work in rescue, I have housed a number of fosters, including two litters of new born pups, so MY convenience doesn't enter into the equation at all when it comes to owning SIX german shepherds, three of them rescues.  You'll have to excuse me now, I need to go cook their food, despite having a raging case of the flu.

ORIGINAL: papillon806

Actually there are many studies showing this...it is a known fact.  (I'm glad you brought that up []).  Hormones (like estrogen and testosterone) cause closure of the growth plates.  Without these hormones (neutering/spaying) before the animal is done growing, causes continual expanding of the growth plates (thus causing the dog to grow larger).  In most cases this isn't a big issue (just means if you have a small breed dog and neuter/spay it very early, it may just be larger than it is "supposed" to be).  However, it can become an issue in large/giant breeds if the continual expansion of the growth plates lead to uneven growth between the ligaments, bones, and tendons. 

So I was bamboozled by my vet when she spayed Blizzard at such a young age.  I am going to check how old she was at the time but I recall it was right after her last visit for ear cropping, 3 months.  Blizzard and Drizzle are from the same litter.  As I stated before Blizzard is bigger both boned and weight by 50 lbs compared to Drizzle.  They are both 8 yo and within the last few months Blizzard back legs are growing weak.  She is now on pain medicine.  Geeze, I hate to think my vet was actually experimenting with these 2 dogs.  Spaying one, not bringing up spaying the other and then see what happens 8 years later. This is so upsetting and I did not make the connection until this thread.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

And, totally OFF topic, but why the heck is there a picture of a SNAKE in someones avator???  This is a DOG forum........

I keep a variety of different critters, but Nosy is my pride and joy next to my dogs. I also frequent a number of reptile forums, and Nosy's photo is the only one I have that is avatar sized at the moment.





And now back to your regularly scheduled program.....

OMG is that a blood python!??!! It is GORGEOUS!  I am a snake person myself....I have two kenyan sand boas (one is the orange and brown and the female is black and white) and I have a grey-banded king snake [] 

Yep, she's a blood python... For more photos, you can visithttp://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v204/Misskiwi67/Snake%20photos/

Also, I didn't realize there was someone here who was terrified of snakes until I went back and read the rest of the thread. If that person would prefer, I'd be more than happy to change my avatar to something more socially accpetable.. like a baby gecko???

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

I have no problem with the tone in which I delivered the previous post.  It was civil and to the point.  Had I been intending to be harsh, I would have told you that you don't know your butt from a squirt bottle, but I didn't do that.  I merely stated what, to most educated people, is obvious.  I did not "pummel" you - but I certainly did disagree with your irresponsible stance on the spay/neuter issue.  And, if you are truly the type person who bases decisions on having been educated....

 
I find it very peculiar that Chuffy and Papillon806 was not attacked...And Chuffy seems to want a challenge.  It must have been personal.