Dog Community

Posted : 3/6/2007 12:39:43 PM

Paula,

I see that theory every day in domestic dogs. I am a groomer and we allow some of our groom dogs to play together while they are there for their "haircuts". There is definately a difference in the way the dogs interact with each other in regards to being "fixed" or intact.

John Jacob

Posted : 3/6/2007 1:38:57 PM

ORIGINAL: kennel_keeper

Paula,

I see that theory every day in domestic dogs. I am a groomer and we allow some of our groom dogs to play together while they are there for their "haircuts". There is definately a difference in the way the dogs interact with each other in regards to being "fixed" or intact.

What are the differences you see?

sillysally

Posted : 3/6/2007 2:14:43 PM

Those of you getting freaked over such a routine surgery should see how they do it with horses. We bring the horse into the arena. They get one drug to make them tired and one drug to "knock them down." The vet slices into the sac, pulls one out and snips it, pulls the other out and snips it, rinses things a bit and that's that--they don't even stitch it up.

BTW--I've been healthier since I had my appendix removed 4 years ago.

sillysally

Posted : 3/6/2007 2:22:58 PM

ORIGINAL: WindridgeGoldens

You don't have to address the question of accidental breedings, because I have never had one. I know how to shut a door and latch a crate. It's not rocket science.

I agree with Paula- being born male is not a disease. Dogs are animals. If people don't want animals in their homes, they shouldn't have one.

Pyo is a risk, and the reason I am not completely opposed to spaying bitches. However, it is not difficult to detect if one has any knowledge of her dog and of the cycles of her bitch. A bitch with pyo will consume large amounts of water, appear "off" in her behavior, and often have a raised temperature. She will reek with a stench of a bitch in season, but more foul. It is my belief that an owner should be educated on such matters before taking an animal into her home.

I do not oppose the routine altering of the retired Greyhounds I help place. I have owned altered dogs. However, I would not alter my own animals, and the "spay and neuter everything with a pulse" attitude is decidedly American. Please realize that we are the only country (except perhaps Canada) with such beliefs. Stop and ponder why there are virtually no unwanted or homeless dogs in Sweden, yet NO dogs are spayed or neutered there without medical reason.

I am against cropping and docking, firmly. However, at least the when the pain and risk of surgery passes, the dog's entire physiology is not altered. If people who cannot or will not put the small effort into maintaining intact dogs were not allowed to own them, perhaps we'd have a situation more like they do in Sweden.

We can ultimately only do what is right to us. I do feel a pang of pity for dogs castrated left and right for no reason other than American culture and owners' unwillingness to accept responsibility for their dogs' natural behavior. However, I know most, if not all here love their dogs dearly and do what they have been taught is right.

I think it's fantasic that you know how to operate crates and doors. Incidently, so does my female pit bull. [

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I also find it interesting that you seem to think that just because people have not made the same decision as you, that they are somehow unwilling to put any effort into their pets or that they are not informed. I have put a great deal of time into my dogs and have researched my decision to speuter thoroughly (my male will not be neutered until he's close to 2 years). Just because someone can look at the same information you have (and quite possibley more) and come to a different conclusion do not assume that they are lazy and ignorant. You know what they say about assuming. [

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kennel_keeper

Posted : 3/7/2007 7:15:33 PM

ORIGINAL: WWJNGD

ORIGINAL: kennel_keeper

Paula,

I see that theory every day in domestic dogs. I am a groomer and we allow some of our groom dogs to play together while they are there for their "haircuts". There is definately a difference in the way the dogs interact with each other in regards to being "fixed" or intact.

What are the differences you see?

Some of the things that I've noticed are:
Bully'ing - those that don't play nice, don't play. Intact bitches and dogs tend to either bully or ignore "fixed" animals.
Lower social ranking - most of the fixed dogs rank lower in the overall hierarchy.
Mounting - both bitches and dogs mounting other intact animals.
Less agressive tendencies - "fixed" animals tend to be less aggressive, even if that means they don't have as much social interaction with the others.
More tolerable - "fixed" animals are more tolerable of the other dogs, both intact AND fixed.

I know that some of these social behaviors are attractive and some are not, the decision to alter your dog is a very personal one and I honestly feel that YOU are the one that has to find peace in your decision.

Xerxes

Posted : 3/7/2007 10:10:52 PM

More tolerable - "fixed" animals are more tolerable of the other dogs, both intact AND fixed.

I've found that neutered males are typically more aggressive towards intact males. Perhaps it's just in my area, but I've seen alot of aggressive posturing by neutered males towards intact males.

Neutering without removal of testes?