spay dogIf only you could spend some time on my side, seeing the things I see, knowing the things I know, understanding that it's the right thing to do, you wouldn't hesitate fixing your pet.

spay dog AKA= De-sexing, Spaying (female), Neutering (male)

I admit most of this will be aimed at getting people to fix a male dog vs. not to fix.  Because if I wrote my blog on  “Not to Fix”  it would read something like this:  If you’re a professional breeder or professional dog handler and you’re breeding not only for LOOKS but for HEALTH and TEMPERAMENT reasons, then don’t fix.

That would be a very short and boring blog,  so I’m writing about the reason I think you should fix a dog.

Part 1

We have a tendency to humanize our dogs thoughts, and most of the time we’re wrong.  I hear people say un-realistic or selfish things like, “why don’t you get fixed and see how it feels” or “fixing changes their personality” or “I want my children to experience birth” or ” I want my dog to have puppies” or “It’s not natural to fix a dog”.

Lets talk about the last comment and not the first, since that’s the one I hear the most.  “It’s not natural”.  If that’s your case then is it natural for us to confine our dogs to our home or yard? is it natural that we keep them on a leash, and away from having free access to other dogs- especially females in heat?, is it natural to keep them from roaming around the neighborhood. No it is not!  It is however our responsibility to keep them safe and alive.  Keeping them under control is the only way they can live with us. So fixing them is the only thing that makes sense.  Unless of course you live on a farm and don’t mind your male dog roaming the neighborhood, sometimes for days. Possibly getting stolen by people or research facilities, picked up by animal control, getting hit by a car or shot because they were roaming on private property. Or it may not bother you that those roaming dogs may be the father of a few litters, ah how cute… hopefully the other dog owner (could be you) hasn’t been too inconvenienced by the unplanned pregnancy and has found the 7 puppies good homes and didn’t have to destroy them after birth or abandon them at some already overcrowded shelter.  Is it really worth the risk and suffering- for them to get dog laid a few times?

If your NOT going to let an intact males roam around looking for a mating partner, which is kind of like telling a extremely high libido driven 18- year old boy, they aren’t allowed out of the house, unless they are closely watched by you and if they see the most beautiful girl they have ever seen, they are not allowed to go say hi or, uh, you know… Unlike teenage boys, a dog can smell other dogs, especially dogs in season from hundreds of yards away, even when inside the house. Talk about frustration and distraction.  Unlike teenage boys, dogs can’t do anything about it except sit there sniffing those smells. Try to remember dogs are not human.

If you’re thinking about breeding your dog, it’s not that easy finding a suitable breeding partner, they aren’t just walking around outside your home.  And if you were lucky to find one, Un-spayed females can really only conceive 2-5 days out of each heat cycle.  And what about this strange dog? does it have any known hip problems or inherited medical conditions, and what about temperament? You don’t want to breed your dog with just any dog, do you? Good quality parents produce good quality puppies. Maybe that’s why 99% of the people who say they want to breed their dog, never do. And if you did breed your dog, you’re not that blinded to think your dogs off-spring couldn’t inherit some terrible health issue at a young age, or end up at a shelter or be one of the millions that are euthanized each year? it could happen.

Oh, and don’t even think about finding a real breeder to help, because in the “Breeding world” they want studs and bitches to have ribbons and titles. That way they get top dollar for their offspring. Breeding doesn’t pay all the bills, unless they’re getting top dollar.  Your dog may look perfect to you, but you’re not a professional breeder who knows what to look for. A real breeder will most definitely have a different opinion, that’s reality. Even if they had what it takes? Just be prepared for all the costs and your dog will need to be on the road for months… maybe even years before earning their titles. All that to get them laid?

End of Part 1.

Part 2 will be about the behavioral, health, myths and dog’s perspective

Be nice to all pets and leave breeding to professionals.

Estimated number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million (The Humane Society of the United States estimate) 300 thousand dogs and cats in Australia

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16 thoughts on “Fixing a Dog. Part 1

  1. Well, I wanted to leave a reply agreeing with you whole heartedly (which I do btw) but that would make for a boring comment so let me add this.

    I wish professional breeders were as ethical as they ought to be, alas they are not.

    Inbreeding is a standard breeding-system chosen for its benefits (perpetuation of specific traits) while ignoring drawbacks. Many prof breeders use it.

    Prof breeders sometimes resemble puppy mills the way they treat and over-breed dogs.

    Some breeders will breed for X (temperament, looks, size, etc) while you may be looking for Y.

    You inspired me to blog about this (and I did give you credit for it too).
    http://dogandogs.com/top-10-rules-to-follow-when-choosing-a-dog-br

  2. Hi there,

    I like boring comments, at least I know people are listening or at least reading. I’m glad you agree and I agree with you about the breeders, We just need to keep educating people on whats right and wrong and hopefully people will listen. Part 2 will focus more on the behavioral side of the subject. stay tuned and Thanks for the (not boring) comment.

  3. Hi Kelley,

    Thanks for the comment, all we can do is get the word out. I had to break this blog up in 2 parts, because there is a lot to mention and because of the way I like to make my point. In Part 2 I will covering the other reasons. Take care

  4. Hi Kelley,

    I think part 2 will also be eye opening. Any true dog person should be passionate about this topic. Too many dogs are put to sleep because of irresponsible people.

    Thanks

  5. Yet many professionals keep preaching to the public to spay and neuter. Even Bob Barker of the long running Price is Right show would end his show telling people that. When will we learn. Thanks Bruce

  6. For every dog owners thinking about those poor dogs dying and euthanize, it’s a matter of being part of the solution rather than being part of the problem.. to decide if their dogs should be fixed.

  7. Hi,

    I don’t know about a brother and sister breeding, but I do know, it’s a myth that a female should have at least one litter.

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