I am always happy to read pieces like this that challenges the status quo.
However, I still think neutering should be the norm. Only responsible enough owners should be the exception. Liberty comes with responsibilities which are often overlooked.
How neutering dogs became the norm
181–190 of 233 posts
Re: How neutering dogs became the norm
#182Earlier quoted context omitted.
It’s not only dogs. I remember some stupid shit I did as a teenager.
I'm an adult male and if it weren't for the corporate soul sucking 9-5 job eating away most of my time and energy I'd still engage in stupid shit just for mating. I think males are biologically programed to stay in heat way longer than females, at least until the first baby is born, just that modern society has figured how to tame us by placing us in a financial rat race where it all about chasing material things, ho…
Imagine a society where 99% of work is done by robots/AI...
Re: How neutering dogs became the norm
#183As a US veterinarian, I hold a nuanced view of spay/neuter. Nevertheless, I generally recommend it as default for most pet owners, as it goes along with their expectations of what their pet's life will be like. People who elected to leave their dogs intact are often shocked by something down the line. 1. Pyometra. Dogs do not have menopause, but they may stop cycling. When they do they can develop a uterine infection…
My father-in-law had an intact Labrador Retriever show dog who escaped over a high fence and swam across a large river in order to visit a bitch in heat. They found him days later, filthy and with some minor injuries. The instinct to reproduce will drive dogs to do crazy things.
I took my three-year old, intact bearded collie for a walk where we met a couple with a spaniel bitch. They carried on walking, and about 10 minutes later (when they were a good distance away) we let ours off the lead. He raced off towards them at high speed, which is not unknown for him but largely under control these days. We eventually got him back and (almost as an aside) the owner of the other said "ours is in heat at the moment." Could have warned us pal, we'd never have let him off.
About eight weeks later, I took him for a walk along the same canal and let him off. Rounded a corner where he'd got a bit ahead, and he was just gone, disappeared without a trace. I started off as quickly as I could down the canal, passing various people who (as if it were some kind of joke) said things like "oh yes, going very fast that way". Eventually, got him back because a cyclist had the common sense to apprehend him and wait for me - "my dog does this all the time." This was after almost a mile, so the dog hadn't been hanging around.
Beardies have a reputation for going AWOL, but on this occasion I can only presume he had some memory of that fine young spaniel he'd pursued previously, and decided to rejoin the chase. I haven't been back there since. Have considered getting him neutered but we basically like him as he is and have learned to be super-careful at any time. Helps to be warned if someone has a bitch who is likely to be especially interesting at a given time, most owners are good about it but a few just don't seem to understand.
Re: How neutering dogs became the norm
#184As a US veterinarian, I hold a nuanced view of spay/neuter. Nevertheless, I generally recommend it as default for most pet owners, as it goes along with their expectations of what their pet's life will be like. People who elected to leave their dogs intact are often shocked by something down the line. 1. Pyometra. Dogs do not have menopause, but they may stop cycling. When they do they can develop a uterine infection…
> I would love to just recommend people be responsible adults.
Always a good recommendation.
Neutering dogs and cats seems the consequence of "owning" in an urban or otherwise densely populated area. It feels wrong to me. I would personally get a farm before I get pets.
Then, I have horses. Neutering males is common here for our breeds, as stallions are pretty difficult to manage. It is said that Portuguese breeds are often left intact, as a result of behavioral selection.
Re: How neutering dogs became the norm
#185The article mention that swedes are more responsible with their pets and thus do not have a problem with feral dogs, but I find the actually reason a bit more nuanced. Sweden did had a catch-and-kill program about a hundred years ago. It is mostly forgotten here, but it had two parts. A law was made that all dogs must be ear marked (today chipped) and listed in the national registry with their owner, and any dog that…
What stops people from releasing unwanted puppies in to the wilds/streets?
Nothing really.
Here in Norway they will be captured, and the police will handle them[1].
If the owner does not claim the captured dog within a week, the police will find a new home or shelter[2], or put it down.
[1]: https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2003-07-04-74/KAPITTEL_3#...
Re: How neutering dogs became the norm
#186Earlier quoted context omitted.
> 6. All bitches bleed during proestrus. The word “bitch” has changed so much in cultural meaning during the last 50 years or so that somehow it feels more offensive to call a female dog a “bitch” then a human. How is “bitch” used in veterinary hospitals?
It hasn’t. That’s the source of the word, and you likely haven’t been in circles where the real word is used intentionally for the real word’s purpose.
Or to put it in a way which might connect better with gp:
By continuing to use the word "bitch" for its original meaning, vets, dog breeders, and the like are fighting against the appropriation (and degradation) of their culture by the world at large.
Re: How neutering dogs became the norm
#187The article mention that swedes are more responsible with their pets and thus do not have a problem with feral dogs, but I find the actually reason a bit more nuanced. Sweden did had a catch-and-kill program about a hundred years ago. It is mostly forgotten here, but it had two parts. A law was made that all dogs must be ear marked (today chipped) and listed in the national registry with their owner, and any dog that…
What stops people from releasing unwanted puppies in to the wilds/streets?
Nothing stops people from doing that but people do not do that. I've never in my life seen a feral dog here in Sweden, even feral cats are quite rare.
I doubt they would survive a winter where I live so that would drastically limit their population.
Re: How neutering dogs became the norm
#188This is not the only such operation. My friend who is in that business and owns a prize-winning dog and a cat told me a few examples. Cats may get their claws completely removed so they don't scrath furniture. Smaller dogs may get their voice cords "fixed" so their constant barking doesn't annoy owners.
For myself I decided not to own any pets unless they could live naturally as they were created. (I own two neutered cats now but they were neutered before I took ownership.) I totally understand the author's sentiment, first the hesitation and then an absolute certainty that something is deeply wrong here even though you cannot yet rationalize it. The only thing I disagree with is that "it's easier to lie".
Re: How neutering dogs became the norm
#189Earlier quoted context omitted.
My father-in-law had an intact Labrador Retriever show dog who escaped over a high fence and swam across a large river in order to visit a bitch in heat. They found him days later, filthy and with some minor injuries. The instinct to reproduce will drive dogs to do crazy things.
I took my three-year old, intact bearded collie for a walk where we met a couple with a spaniel bitch. They carried on walking, and about 10 minutes later (when they were a good distance away) we let ours off the lead. He raced off towards them at high speed, which is not unknown for him but largely under control these days. We eventually got him back and (almost as an aside) the owner of the other said "ours is in h…
You are taking your dog for a walk off leash and feel that others who are walking their dogs ought to do something to ensure you dog does not run off? Otherwise they don't understand the issue?
I assumed "off leash" because if he can run off even when on a leash, then it's worse than I imagined.
Re: How neutering dogs became the norm
#190Earlier quoted context omitted.
It’s not only dogs. I remember some stupid shit I did as a teenager.
A friend in military told us that as part of their training they are given injections to curb sexual desire. They can't even masturbate. Its given regularly every month or so until their training is complete.
That's an urban legend. Some variations also say the drug is in the food.