Spaying your female dog or neutering your male dog for many is a foregone conclusion. Yet, somewhat surprisingly, some have not yet caught on to the idea that this is not just a good idea, but also actually a very serious concern!  Everyone of course has their own reasons for wanting neuter – or not – their animal.  While any one reason may not be more important than any other, it is important that the general consensus of veterinarians and veteran dog owners is always the same: neutering or spaying your dog is crucial.

Here are some reasons why you should let your vet go “snip-snip” … five important reasons to neuter your dog:
1. Take a stroll through an animal shelter.  Pick any animal shelter in your vicinity.  When you enter, you will be assailed by the smell of disinfectants.  Your ears will be greeted by the cacophony of barks, yelps, and whimpers. When you finally enter the corridor that leads to the dog section of the facility, you will see cage upon cage of animals straining to gain your attention.  Sometimes three to five to a cage, these little furry bodies writhe in an effort to persuade you that they would make that perfect playmate for your son, that adorable little lapdog for your mother, or the strong protector for your daughter. In your heart you know that you cannot give them all a home, and intellectually you may wonder where they all came from and why they ended up in the cage – rationally, you know that many of these warm doggy bodies will not see another day alive, since their maximum holding time will be up this evening, and they will be killed by injection to make room for the next crop of dogs that will be brought or dragged in. Quite possibly this is the most persuasive reason for neutering your dog: to put an end to the overpopulation of dogs that is currently being killed simply because they were allowed to be born. Even the most watched over dog may escape briefly, and in the wrong circumstances this little ten minute hunt may result in a littler of unwanted puppies’ being born.  In addition to the foregoing, consider the many people who will want to experience the “miracle of birth” either for themselves or for their children by allowing their dogs to mate and creating a littler of puppies – suddenly they find themselves with five dogs that they have no way to care for, and perhaps nobody in their circle of friends wants a dog right at this time – now what?  Off to the shelter the little fuzz balls go, to an unknown and quite possibly deadly fate.
2. A male dog that is not neutered will be a more aggressive dog.  If you have a guard dog, you may wish to have an aggressive dog and you may chalk this one up to an advantage, but did you know that what the dog looses in aggression when he is neutered, he more than makes up for in loyalty to you when treated properly?  Thus, if you or your household is attacked, your dog will defend and protect you to his death, neutered or not. Keeping a dog aggressive by not neutering him may come back to bite you – literally.
3. Dogs that are not neutered will have behavioral problems during certain times of the year – usually when female dogs in season are around. They will suddenly begin marking their territory with their urine – inside your house! Additionally, these dogs become serious flight risks to find the female dogs – jumping fences, crossing busy streets, being hit by cars, fighting with other male dogs until they are seriously injured, and even taking on the other dog’s owners who might be seeking to bar them entrance – just for a chance to mate.
4. Male dogs that are not neutered can be a serious embarrassment to their owners.  How often have you seen a dog “hump” a table leg, a pillow, or maybe its owner’s leg in an effort to get some relief for the sex drive they are feeling but unable to do anything about?  Would you want your dog doing this to your daughter, your dinner guests, or the minister dropping by for a chat?  Probably not!
5. Unless you live n acres and acres of land and will welcome the addition of five to nine dogs at regular intervals, you will find that getting your dog neutered is much less of a headache than dealing with him – and his puppies – when he is not.