Re: advantages of not neutering

In Reply to: advantages of not neutering
Category:   Medical
Posted by:  Gary Raburn
Posted on:  June 29, 2002 at 09:08:01

: I have five month old JRT. I am not interested in getting him neutered despite my wife's suggestions. Iverson is an only dog who is pretty good most of the time, however he has started teething recently. Can he live with us happily without getting neutered?

Response:

Hi Gary,

We suggest neutering of male pups not only to lessen aggression with other dogs but it will also will help to lessen other types of aggression such as territorial.

Terriers in general are pretty territorial, an intact terrier is a little marking machine just waiting to happen once his male hormones kick in. Once marking behavior starts, it's extremely difficult to stop. In most cases, you might lessen the behavior but never completely stop it. I don't know about you, but I much prefer that my furniture and household items stay clean of urine. Many markers are "stealth markers" and one day you may just realize when you walk into your home that it smells like dog pee. Then you have the job of finding all the spots where your dog has marked so they can be cleaned and the process starts all over again. I can almost guarantee that if you keep this dog intact you will have marking problems with him.

Intact dogs are more apt to roam, if he catches the scent of a bitch in heat and you don't have him in a secure yard or area (they are Houdinis by the way) you can say adios!

An intact male dog runs the risk of testicular cancer, you can virtually eliminate the possibility by neutering your dog.

The only reason to not neuter a dog is if the dog is a superior specimen and has a great show/hunt record and you are a serious fancier of the breed. If you are then you will live with the marking behavior and adjust to it, you will make sure your dog doesn't escape it's yard or kennel so an unwanted mating doesn't take place.

But to answer your question, can he live happily with you without neutering? Sure! He will be happy, but will you?