As a behavioral dog coach and consultant my position on desexing dogs is pretty clear. But as a breeder I'm frequently asked why I am so opposed to dog owners not desexing their dogs. Let me assure you, that if not for our dedicated breeding regime in place with the view to better our chosen kind of dog- the Boerboel (South African Mastiff) EVERYTHING at our place would be desexed in a split second!

As our dogs finish their breeding days, they're spayed or Neutered with the hope of warding off the inevitable health risks of not desexing them when they were six months old. We generally lose this gamble and have lost 4 dogs to sexual organ cancers.

So on that subject, these are some of the reasons:

Health of the Dog:

• Fixing a male disposes of the possibility of testicular tumours and significantly decreases the chance of prostate Problems. Neutering lowers the prevalence of perianal tumours and hernias, which are commonly noted in older, unaltered males.
• Neutered males are less likely to try to escape a yard to find a female in season. This reduces the possibility of them being hit by cars, getting into fights or lost.
• Females spayed before their first oestrous cycle ("heat") seriously decreases her possibility of mammary tumours, ovarian cancer and uterine infection (all of which can be deadly and pricey to treat).
• A spayed female gets rid of the community stray males from camping out on your lawn trying hard to get at your female when she comes into "heat."
• Giving birth to a litter can be deadly to your female. Some breeds have a heavy rate of caesarean sections, which are pricey and can be risky.

Temperament of the Dog:

• Spaying and neutering before sexual maturity also offers a temperament benefit.
• Males fixed early in life are less aggressive and less distracted.
• Neutered males are less certain to scent mark (real problem when they opt to mark within the house) and less likely to wonder off as the urge to mark will be reduced.
• A spayed female also does not hormonally based swings and will likely be more targeted on you as well.
• A female with a litter can become very assertive, even to family members. Spaying also makes your female a better companion.

Unwished for dog litters:

Do you know that a single male and female and their pups can produce thousands of puppies in 6 years? Think, a female can have a litter as young as six months and then have one every six months after that. Each litter can have an average of six young and each female children will be well placed to breed at about half a year of age, the maths can be amazing!

A male dog can impregnate as many females as he can get to in a day.

Just because a puppy dog is cute, does not mean it'll find a home- every year, many thousands of dogs and puppies, thoroughbred and crosses are euthanized in shelters and council pounds. More die on the streets or live shortened lives of neglect, abuse and horrors.

So if you are failing to desex your dog for any of the above reasons please talk to your vet or behavioral dog tutor about what I have discussed here today. I'm absolutely sure he/she will enlighten you even farther!

Find more information on Spraying and Neutering your family dog.