The Pros And Cons Of
Neutering Dogs

"Should I Have My Cocker Spaniel Neutered?"

There are millions of unwanted puppies born worldwide each year, and unfortunately some end up on the street as strays, others are drowned at birth, but many end up in Cocker Spaniel rescue centers or animal shelters where they will be cared for until they can be re-housed.

Thankfully, dog adoption is on the increase and some of the lucky ones will soon be adopted into good homes, but there are many that aren't so lucky.

Having your dog neutered shows that you are a responsible pet owner and is an effective way of helping to control the ever-growing problem of unwanted or abandoned puppies.

If you only needed one good reasong for neutering dogs, this is probably it!

Benefits And Pitfalls Of Neutering Dogs

• Most vets maintain that neutering dogs can help to reduce health problems and can help our Cocker Spaniels to live longer too!
• Castration and spaying can also result in a more affectionate, contented, family pet - although, this is not always the case with male dogs.
• If the reason for castrating your male Cocker Spaniel is his aggressive behaviour with other males, extreme territorial marking and protecting, frequent running off, or 'humping' people's legs, ie, too much testosterone - then it's likely that castration will make a difference.
• Castration (removal of the testicals) will stop the production of testosterone. Results usually take a couple of months to show when the testosterone levels have slowed or stopped.
• If the aggression stems from fear rather than testosterone based, castration is unlikely to have any effect. If you believe your dog's aggression is fear based, we strongly recommend you contact a dog behaviour therapist as soon as possible - do not try to work on this problem alone.
• Neutered dogs are less likely to attempt to dominate their pack.
• Sterilisation will more than likely thicken your Cocker Spaniel's coat. It will lose its silky fineness in the process and, because of this, show dogs are not normally neutered.

  We hand-stripped Max from birth and, after he was castrated, we believed he was going to retain his lovely silky topcoat as it showed no signs of losing its glossiness. However, four months after castration his coat began to look like teddy-bear fur. It was very difficult to brush and seemed to matt easily - eventually we had to have him clipped. We were so disappointed at the time; however we don't even notice it now - he's our Max and we love him just as he is. He's beautiful!

Neutering Dogs - Castration

A castrated male Cocker Spaniel is less likey to suffer from prostrate or testicular cancer than an 'intact' male.

If your male dog is left un-neutered, and is unable to mate, it can cause him extreme frustration, particularly when there's a bitch in season in the neighbourhood.

The frustration caused by not being able to mate can sometimes lead to aggression.

Our Cocker Spaniel, Max, was castrated when he was 2 years old and his frustration around bitches in season was a significant contributing factor to our decision to castrate.

He went off his food (which until then was unheard of!) and wandered around the house, pining all day long.

He whined to be let out into the garden and within a minute of being let out, he was back at the door, whining to be back in again!

We also noticed two solid lumps around the base of his penis, just above his testicles, which would appear when he became 'anxious' and disappear when he settled down.

We thought Max was ill, so we took him to see the vet. We were told it was perfectly normal, and that they were glands which enlarge and engorge when the dog is in an 'excited' state. We were extremely embarrassed at our nievity! Oh well, you live and learn.

If you have your male dog neutered, he'll be less likely to stray far as castration tends to curb their roaming instincts.

If you decide to castrate your dog you may also notice that aggression towards other male dogs is reduced, meaning they are less likely to fight with other dogs. Don't expect results overnight, it may take a couple of months before you notice any real improvement.

Other unwanted behaviours, such as territorial marking and mounting, may be significantly reduced by castration.

The operation didn't take long and he was up and about within a few hours - although he did look sorry for himself for a day or two.

He was more bothered about the cone he had to wear around his neck!

There were several stiches in the 'wound' which did look a little gory for a couple of days, (see photo) however, it soon healed, and now that his coat has grown back over it, there's nothing to see at all!

Neutering Dogs - Spaying A Female Cocker Spaniel

Spaying a female dog significantly reduces the threat of breast cancer and uterine, mammary, and ovarian cancers. Additionally, a spayed female cocker spaniel is less likely to suffer from uterine infections.

She'll no longer have to suffer any hormonal changes during her bi-annual heat cycle, nor will she attract unwanted attention from 'intact' males overcome with the instinct to mate.

Myths Of Neutering Dogs

There are a few myths surrounding the neutering of dogs and one of the most common is that your neutered dog will become fat and sluggish or lazy.

This is simply not true; however, your dog's appetite may be increased as a result of sterilization, which in turn may lead to an increase in weight.

Additionally, neutered dogs no longer need a high energy diet.

If you continue to feed your dog as before, it's likely to compound the problem and your dog will put on weight as a result.

If you control the amount of food your dog eats and make sure he gets plenty of exercise, your Cocker Spaniel is less likely to join the increasing number of overweight dogs.

Obese or overweight dogs find it difficult to exercise and so become more sedate, thus compounding the problem.

Fortunately, many dog food manufacturers produce a specially formulated food for neutered dogs to help overcome this problem.

If you have your dog neutered, it will not change his or her basic personality; they will still be the loving, mischevious, and characterful dog you have come to know and love. Your dog will still be protective and guard your home, and will retain his or her instinct to look after their pack.

When Is The Best Time For Neutering Dogs?

Most vets recommend having a dog neutered no earlier than 6 months of age.

A male dog should be allowed to mature to the stage where he has been cocking his leg to urinate for at least a couple of months, and is over 6 months of age.

Some vets recommend that females should be allowed to have at least one season, or a litter of puppies, and then wait for a few months to allow her body to recover before spaying. Others maintain that females don't need to produce a litter of puppies before spaying.

The best person to advise you about your pet is your own vet. He or she will know what's best for you and your dog, so before you make any decisions about neutering dogs, please consult your vet.

In summary, having your dog neutered can lead to a more healthy life and can help your pet to live longer.

Additionally, neutered dogs are more affectionate and are less likely to exhibit unwanted behaviours such as fighting, roaming, and mounting.

However, one of the more rewarding benefits of neutering dogs is that in doing so we are working toward reducing the number of dogs and puppies that end up being euthanized each year.

Before taking the decision to castrate or spay your Cocker Spaniel, we strongly recommend you first discuss it with your vet.

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