Note – we are discussing only male dogs here, for a specific chat on the neutering of female dogs, see our blog: To spay or not to spay?
Castration, also referred to as “neutering” is the procedure whereby a dog’s testicles are removed. It is deemed by vets to be a relatively straightforward operation and is a common practice for families who do not wish to breed from their pet dog.
It is generally seen that the lack of hormones can alter behaviour, usually resulting in less aggressive, reactive and dominant dogs. A reduction in sexual urges also makes your dog much easier to control around females in “heat”, and less likely to roam in search of them.
On the health front, castration can also be beneficial in eliminating risk of certain cancers, tumours and diseases in later life.
Castration is generally advocated by pet owners, vets and particularly those running animal shelters, as abandoned litters create a large portion of rescue dogs in need of homes.
However, some are now choosing to keep their dog “entire” despite the recognised advantages.
Some studies suggest that neutered dogs are more likely to be overweight or obese. While this may be factually true, since the metabolic needs of a dog are likely to change with the lack of hormones, this is easy to manage with an appropriate healthy diet and exercise.
There is also an argument to say that the timing of the operation plays an important role in future side effects. Sexual hormones contribute to the overall physical development of your dog, and therefore influence growth. It has been said by some that without the complete function of the entire anatomy in a crucial development stage, muscle mass and strength may be compromised. One vet school suggests that larger breeds must be considered more carefully when it comes to desexing, since joint disorders are much more prolific in big dogs that have had early neutering.
While the procedure is commonplace and generally understood to be simple, there is always an element of risk with both anaesthetic and surgery itself. In rare cases, some dogs have adverse reactions to anaesthetic which can be distressing for both him and the owner.
Not to mention he’s going to have sore bits for at least a few days after!
As with any elective surgery and as his owner, it’s up to you to make the best decision for your dog. Your vet will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have and will help you to make the right choice depending on your lifestyle and breed.
