How neutering dogs became the norm • Hacker News Board

Re: How neutering dogs became the norm

#11

Post by anonAndOn » Tue, Dec 22, 2020, 10:10 PM UTC

Ancalagon wrote: post #6

choeger wrote: post #2

Surely this cannot be the case everywhere in the US, no? I mean in rural areas people still have their dogs breed, I assume?

It’s not illegal to breed dogs anywhere in the US AFAIK. The act of leaving your dog un-neutered/spayed is looked down upon and suggested against because they can breed on their own (and produce a lot more dogs) if they escape their owners. Lots of people breed dogs inside and outside metropolitan areas.

And can make A LOT of money doing so. A popular hybrid these days is the Labradoodle. Here's just one example of the going price for a desirable pup.[0]

[0]https://www.lancasterpuppies.com/puppy-search/breed/labradoo...

Re: How neutering dogs became the norm

#12

Post by smnrchrds » Tue, Dec 22, 2020, 10:12 PM UTC

neolog wrote: post #3

Are there any places where dogs are not allowed as pets?

Iran I believe. Dogs are allowed as guard dogs, shepherd dogs, hunting dogs, etc. But they are not allowed as pets.

Re: How neutering dogs became the norm

#13

Post by bluedino » Tue, Dec 22, 2020, 10:13 PM UTC

Neutering or spaying should be mandatory. So many people “breed” dogs thinking they are going to sell them, who have no business doing so. So many puppies and adult dogs fill our shelters, it’s very sad.

Re: How neutering dogs became the norm

#14

Post by anonAndOn » Tue, Dec 22, 2020, 10:14 PM UTC

neolog wrote: post #3

Are there any places where dogs are not allowed as pets?

Yes, plenty of rental properties in the US prohibit pets.*

*Service animals are often excepted, by law.

Re: How neutering dogs became the norm

#15

Post by neolog » Tue, Dec 22, 2020, 10:14 PM UTC

smnrchrds wrote: post #12

neolog wrote: post #3

Are there any places where dogs are not allowed as pets?

Iran I believe. Dogs are allowed as guard dogs, shepherd dogs, hunting dogs, etc. But they are not allowed as pets.

Looks like they're common anyway though.

> According to Petchi, there are around 1.2 million pet dogs across Iran and about 350,000 of them are in Tehran.

https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-iran-dog-walkers-2019013...

Re: How neutering dogs became the norm

#16

Post by dfxm12 » Tue, Dec 22, 2020, 10:14 PM UTC

I'm surprised there's no mention of Bob Barker.

In 1970, less than 10 percent of licensed dogs were spay or neutered. Today, about 80 percent are.

From 1979, everyday, Bob would end his show with this message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTpolOR0kQo

It's where I learned about the issue...

Re: How neutering dogs became the norm

#17

Post by bumby » Tue, Dec 22, 2020, 10:15 PM UTC

bluedino wrote: post #13

Neutering or spaying should be mandatory. So many people “breed” dogs thinking they are going to sell them, who have no business doing so. So many puppies and adult dogs fill our shelters, it’s very sad.

The article actually talks about a shortage of adoptable dogs due to mass de-sexing, leading to unintended consequences like importing puppies

Re: How neutering dogs became the norm

#18

Post by chadlavi » Tue, Dec 22, 2020, 10:17 PM UTC

neolog wrote: post #3

Are there any places where dogs are not allowed as pets?

It's very common in NYC, at least among properties that target lower/lower-middle class incomes. Which is a real shame, honestly, because cats are almost always ok, and they're much more likely to make huge messes and actually damage finishes by clawing.

Re: How neutering dogs became the norm

#19

Post by waynesonfire » Tue, Dec 22, 2020, 10:18 PM UTC

ambivalents wrote: post #9

I'm faced with this decision now, and am leaning towards not neutering my pup. At the very least, I'll be waiting until he's one year old, when most of his sexual development has wound down. The vets I've been to have both encouraged I do it, at 6 months and at 9 months. And they have the financial incentive to do so. The whole practice feels archaic and somewhat cruel. I understand why people do it, but I wonder how…

I didn't neuter mine and he's 12 years old dealing with some testosterone related growths on his anus. He's going to have surgery to remove the growth and a neutering to prevent it from coming back.

He was probably a lot more to handle because of not neutering him but it worked for us. Next time I think I'd go ahead with the procedure. He'll be just as awesome and will fit into society better.

Re: How neutering dogs became the norm

#20

Post by leetcrew » Tue, Dec 22, 2020, 10:21 PM UTC

ambivalents wrote: post #9

I'm faced with this decision now, and am leaning towards not neutering my pup. At the very least, I'll be waiting until he's one year old, when most of his sexual development has wound down. The vets I've been to have both encouraged I do it, at 6 months and at 9 months. And they have the financial incentive to do so. The whole practice feels archaic and somewhat cruel. I understand why people do it, but I wonder how…

one of the reasons people neuter dogs (males especially) is to lessen the chance of aggressive behavior. I don't know whether this is actually true, but it's one of the main reasons people give. the other (and more persuasive, imo) reason is simply to prevent the dog from procreating. there are already far more dogs and cats in the world than people are willing to home. unless you're able to keep your dog away from any females or are willing to take in more puppies, you probably ought to get him fixed.

whatever you choose, I recommend you make a decision soon and act on it promptly. my dad wavered over this decision with our family dog for a few years and when he finally decided to get him fixed at age three or four, I do think it was worse for him than if it had been done at a younger age.