Any opinions on Neutering/Spaying dogs?

[brandon]

I've read a bunch of literature and opinions on "fixing" dogs but I'm still not sure what the best thing to do is. The literature seems to suggest spaying female dogs when they are young is beneficial because its reduces cancer rates. The benefits of neutering male dogs seem to be a bit less obvious. I'm inclined to think the vast majority of people "fix" their dogs because it's what everyone else does and the vets push it so they can make some money. Not all that different than circumcision.


Curious what opinions other libertarians have about this...

 

[phill4paul]

3-4 million dogs are euthanized each year. I neuter/spay my dogs because there are plenty more to be found in shelters.

 

[brandon]

I definitely understand that.

My dog never has unsupervised time with female dogs so I'm not really worried about him knocking any bitches up. Sometimes at the dog park he starts to hump, but I'm always there right away to stop him. I love the stares I get from some of the people when they see his giant balls though, lol.

 

[fr33]

You probably don't want my advise because you probably live in a different environment. I've always lived out in the country and for as long as I can remember we've always had male dogs and we've never neutered them. None of our dogs ever bred but they have displayed homosexuality at times. (take that people saying it doesn't happen in other species)

 

[Restore America Now]

We have two chihuahuas, both male. We neutered our oldest, because he had an undescended testicle and there was a fear of it becoming cancerous. The other one is normal and we do not see a pressing need (nor do we have the money) to neuter him.

ETA:

Not all that different than circumcision.

You are absolutely right, but I won't go into it here. I don't feel like watching another shitstorm.

 

[Keith and stuff]

I recommend following the advice of Bob Barker and Drew Carey.

 

[angelatc]

I definitely understand that.

My dog never has unsupervised time with female dogs so I'm not really worried about him knocking any bitches up. Sometimes at the dog park he starts to hump, but I'm always there right away to stop him. I love the stares I get from some of the people when they see his giant balls though, lol.

OK, so you don't really care what we think?

Millions and millions of dogs are euthanized every year. Most litters are accidents. But you're different, and your dog is special. Got it.

Neutering your dog is the only 100% way of ensuring he doesn't impregnate another dog. And as long as I'm pretending that you're going to change your mind, neutered dogs are less likely to wander far when they escape, less likely to mark in the house, and to develop aggression towards other males.

Make no mistake about nature: Unneutered dogs will dig under fences, break leashes and bolt across busy streets if they as much as get a whiff of a female in heat.

 

[Invi]

Unnecessary surgery? No thank you. Not for me, not for my son, not for my pets. Only if there is no alternative.

 

[Tinnuhana]

One reason some don't want to neuter their pet is that they feel bad about taking away their "manhood". Several of my former foster dogs and one of my own dogs can vouch that, although the marking and wandering decreases, their ability to have sex does not change.
As far as from the libertarian angle, I guess that as my private property, I have the choice to leave intact or neuter. Here, the base vet refuses services to anyone who breeds their pet whether for profit or not. However, they can use an off-base vet.
All three of my own dogs are feral-born. Left to their own ways, they would have a several hundred offspring by now. In fact, Phoebe, who's about seven years old now, jumped my wall when she was about three. The base vet wouldn't spay her because she had heartworms. By the time I retrapped her, she was pregnant and I ended up with six more puppies to find homes for.
In a perfect world, where animals didn't play in traffic and end up being gassed or worse, maybe I wouldn't be so supportive of S/N.
My dogs are also microchipped. I understand the ramifications of government trying to foist this on people at some point. After all, that's sort of what the "mark of the beast" is all about. But the fact that government will try to extrapolate S/N or microchipping to some evil policy down the road does not necessarily make S/N evil or microchipping "satanic".

 

[RabbitMan]

As a resident of the pet-crazy Northwest in the process of raising a puppy mastiff to be a service dog and frequently going to dog parks and training sessions--neuter the male at 6 months to 1.5 years. There is absolutely NO reason to leave them intact aside from more destructive or dominant behavior, and a still not yet proven notion that bone-density and growth is lessened--which is why you wait as long as you can deal with it. Our pup is getting his nipped probably right around 6 months if we can even wait that long. Remember, dogs are servants and testosterone only tends to get in the way of having them do their job in a complex environment.

As far as dog socialization and being at the dog park, un-neutered dogs tend to be a bit more annoying and dominating with other male dogs. Today there was some douche who would not get his ballsy dog to stop trying to dominate our still intact 4 month old puppy, who was trying to enjoy himself and play with other dogs. I might be a bit biased in that respect, but in terms of being someone on the receiving end, just get it over with unless you intend to breed.

 

[MadOdorMachine]

I used to not believe in neutering dogs, but now I think it's kind of cruel not to unless you plan on breeding them. It really depends on the environment the dog is in though. If it's an inside dog, I'd be more likely to do it. If the dog is outside, you might not want to although it might make male dogs more aggressive (not necessarily a bad thing if you're trying to keep away predators) and more prone to running away.

 

[LibertyEagle]

I definitely understand that.

My dog never has unsupervised time with female dogs so I'm not really worried about him knocking any bitches up. Sometimes at the dog park he starts to hump, but I'm always there right away to stop him. I love the stares I get from some of the people when they see his giant balls though, lol.

????? Seriously? If you are taking him to public parks and have him unleashed, it is only responsible to get him neutered. That is, unless you want the responsibility for a bunch of pups. It's only a matter of time.

 

[tod evans]

????? Seriously? If you are taking him to public parks and have him unleashed, it is only responsible to get him neutered. That is, unless you want the responsibility for a bunch of pups. It's only a matter of time.

I suppose it's only a matter of time before this issue end up in court...

Male dog owners being held financially liable for their dogs progeny..

As recently as 25-30 years ago the owner of the female of any species was liable for all offspring be it a priceless bull or a worthless mutt..

In country environs it is still that way.

 

[LibertyEagle]

I suppose it's only a matter of time before this issue end up in court...

Male dog owners being held financially liable for their dogs progeny..

As recently as 25-30 years ago the owner of the female of any species was liable for all offspring be it a priceless bull or a worthless mutt..

In country environs it is still that way.

You are changing the subject. It's irresponsible not to get your dogs spayed and neutered. There are millions of dogs put to death each year.

If you have a female dog, get her spayed. If you have a male dog, get him neutered.

 

[tod evans]

You are changing the subject. It's irresponsible not to get your dogs spayed and neutered. There are millions of dogs put to death each year.

If you have a female dog, get her spayed. If you have a male dog, get him neutered.

Cats too?

What about other domestic animals?

Maybe just house pets?

How about the person who invested in registered stock with hopes of breeding?

 

[Tpoints]

3-4 million dogs are euthanized each year. I neuter/spay my dogs because there are plenty more to be found in shelters.

change the word euthanized to starved dead, and the same is true for humans. But I don't see anybody discouraging reproduction just because there's plenty of orphans, homeless and otherwise needy children who need parents.

 

[LibertyEagle]

Cats too?

What about other domestic animals?

Maybe just house pets?

Well, the thread was about a dog, so I commented about DOGS. But, yes, the same would be true with cats.

How about the person who invested in registered stock with hopes of breeding?

Sure. As long as they are responsible for their decisions and actions.

With liberty, comes responsibility.

 

[LibertyEagle]

change the word euthanized to starved dead, and the same is true for humans.

Humans chose to domesticate dogs and cats and because they did, these animals rely on human beings to provide for them.

Humans can provide for themselves.

But I don't see anybody discouraging reproduction just because there's plenty of orphans, homeless and otherwise needy children who need parents.

You don't? Ever heard of China?

 

[Tpoints]

Humans chose to domesticate dogs and cats and because they did, these animals rely on human beings to provide for them.

Humans can provide for themselves.

tell that to the orphans.

You don't? Ever heard of China?

Oh, I take that back, we see them in countries we condemn, not in this great moral high ground country.

 

[LibertyEagle]

tell that to the orphans.

Are you saying that in America there are a bunch of parentless kids who have not yet been adopted? One, by-in-large the number of children available for adoption in our country is far less than the number of parents who want to adopt. That is one of the reasons why so many are looking outside our country. Two, abandoned kids are not left to fend for themselves on the streets, like abandoned domesticated animals are.

Oh, I take that back, we see them in countries we condemn, not in this great moral high ground country.

What's that supposed to mean? You made a claim and I pointed out that you were wrong.