IMO (not directed at the OP) is that if a person can't keep their male dog away from girls in heat, and vice versa, for a year or more, then they aren't responsible enough, and shouldn't own a dog.
I don't really disagree with most of your points, Dekka. I can't say I've done enough research on it to really argue intelligently; Meg was spayed at a year (after a litter
) before I got her, so it hasn't been a major concern of mine to investigate. That was the part of your post that I took a bit of offense to. Although I guess what it comes down to is that I probably
could keep an intact dog away from other intact dogs for a year; I just choose a lifestyle that doesn't offer any guarantees of it, and as I said, will not take the risk. To each there own. As I said, a year and a half ago, I would have made a snap decision that anyone who chose to keep a non-breeding dog intact past six months was being irresponsible; I can now see why people make the choice, and if they do it safely, will not judge them.
Should I choose a puppy for my next dog, as opposed to an already fixed rescue, I will certainly look into the situation more so I can at least make an educated decision.