Should I spay or neuter my dog?

That is definitely a personal decision. There are a couple of questions you have to ask yourself when considering spay/neuter options.

Is the dog healthy enough to have puppies?

(if a male) Is he healthy, are his parents healthy? He will pass his genes to his puppies.

Do you want to deal with raising puppies?

(males) Do you want to worry about your dog trying to find females in heat? They will go to great lengths to breed.

Can you financially afford to have puppies?

Will you be able to find all the puppies a good home?

Do you want all the neighborhood male dogs coming around your house trying to get YOUR dog!? Intact male dogs are much more likely to bite when they know there is a female in heat in the area. That can be a danger you don’t want to deal with.

(males) If your male gets out and breeds a female, you are partially responsible. If the owner is using the female for AKC breeding, and they find your dog breeding their female, they can sue you for the puppies that your dog fathered. If they have absolute proof (DNA tests etc.) they WILL win the full price they could have sold that puppy for, and then you could be responsible for finding those puppies new homes.

Studies show that female dogs who are spayed before their first heat are less likely to get breast cancer.

I recommend (if a large dog) having your dog x-rayed before breeding. Both Males and Females need to be x-rayed. If they show any signs of hip dysplasia, they should not be bred/breed.

If you are concerned about the cost of spaying/neutering your dog, call your local dog shelter. They often have coupons they can give you to help cover the cost. In my town the cost for a neuter for a 60lb dog is about $65 (without a coupon). For a female of the same size, it’s about $90 (again, without a coupon). If you own a pitbull or pitbull cross, a lot of clinics will spay and neuter for free. Ours pays $5 per pit bull.

This whole posting is ALL personal opinion. I think that if you are questioning having your dog spayed/neutered, you probably already have your answer. Why add more puppies to a world that already has too many. If you don’t know what it takes to breed your dog, deliver, raise, and sell the puppies, I think you would be happier having your dog spayed. If you don’t want to be responsible for your dogs “fooling around”, and the worry that goes along with your dog running around town to find that dog that’s in heat, I think you would be happier having your dog neutered.

I think you can tell from the general tone of my e-mail that I believe both owner and dog will be happier if the dog is “fixed.” However, if you know what you are doing, and you are confident in your abilities, keep your dog intact. Just be responsible and you will be just fine. Having puppies can be very rewarding. It’s fun to watch them grow. It’s hard when you can’t find them a home. It’s really hard if they die. If you have a male, it could be a potential way to earn some extra money if your dog has good qualities, is in good health, and is registered.

Good luck with your decision.