To neuter or not to neuter?

Backstory: I work at a boarding clinic, and we currently have a dog that has potentially been abandoned. We gave the owner a final call today and left a message saying that if she doesn't contact us or pick him up by 5:00 tomorrow, we will be considering him abandoned. (But there is something else we have to do concerning paperwork, I think, so who knows what will happen.)
I adore this dog and at the very least I will be wrangling my parents in to fostering him, but I'm really, really hoping he can become a permanent addition. It will be touch and go, so we'll see. Not only would my parents have to be cool with it (I'm moving out in a year or two, but until then they are gods and are tired of the amount of animals I have), he'd have to get along with Chloe (a task in and of itself because she's a bitch - although she's loved all of the intact male dogs she's met lol) and not be cat aggressive. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I just love this dog. We've had dogs abandoned in at the clinic before (I can think of 10 off the top of my head), but none of them have really touched me like he has.

Main story:
Because I love putting the cart before the horse, my mind is already going down the path of what would happen if he does end up coming home with me and staying. He is an intact two year old male and I wasn't planning on neutering him if I acquired him. He doesn't mark inside, he isn't dog reactive (even when other dogs are in his face through the fence trying to maul him), he is attentive, he's in great physical shape...no reason to really neuter in my mind. Obviously, if he just comes home as a foster and not as a permanent addition he'll be neutered before being adopted out because I don't trust other people with an intact pit bull.

A coworker and I kind of got into a heated discussion about it at work tonight. She just about bit my head off when I said I wasn't planning on neutering him if took him home. She started talking about cancer, aggression, behavior problems, and pet over population and thought I was a complete and total idiot about it. Especially when I told her we didn't have a fenced in yard so "females in heat could come over whenever they wanted and get knocked up". Never mind the fact he wouldn't be outside unsupervised and we live out in the middle of nowhere.

She was getting very heated about it and I just sort of smiled and nodded and "yup'd" and then we eventually switched topics.

Our conversation got me thinking. Although I don't see any reason too neuter, I also don't see any reason not to neuter. He wouldn't be running around procreating and his temperament and condition are stellar. But, he also won't be bred (although he's a very good looking dog, the world doesn't need more APBT puppies) and he is physically mature. I would want to dabble in some sports with him to see if he or I enjoyed any of them. I'm not sure if leaving him intact or not would have any bearing on that.

I was planning on getting a male dog for my next dog, and I was planning to leave it intact until 2 or 3 years, and then neuter unless I had a reason not to. So even if he is reclaimed by his owner and/or he doesn't end up becoming a permanent addition, I expect to be in this situation in a few years with a new dog anyways.

So, what would you do? Neuter, or not neuter? Why? Are there any benefits or cons one way or another in neutering an already mature dog?

And pictures of the smexy boy in question. (Not the best - my sister took them and she said he wouldn't stop moving LOL)




^ His ear freckles. <3

(And, FYI, if he is abandoned and I can't keep him...me thinks a Chazzer needs to adopted him. That would be the next best thing!)

I'm almost hoping his owner doesn't come get him...I have a feeling I'm setting myself up for heartbreak either way. *sigh*

Since he's already mature, I'd say he's set in his ways as far as his (what I call) a*shole hormones. Neutering would probably make him less likely to wander off when females are in heat, but so would responsible dog ownership (ie keeping the dog contained). Obviously he has no dog issues so far.
As far as cancer, I'm pretty sure testicular cancer is pretty rare. I hear about prostate problems often but neutering doesn't always stop the problem from arising (but may solve it after the fact). Neutering also doesn't guarantee that he'd be free from prostate cancer.
I don't see any reason to do it or not to do it either, really. I think that's your own personal decision.

Do you have an address to go to the dog's home? I would be woried that maybe something happened and the owner is in the hospital or something and can't be reached.

Meh, we have an unneutered male in the house and haven't had any issues. Even with having an intact female in the house.

Personally I don't see it as a big deal if responsible dog owners don't want to chop the body parts off perfectly healthy animals. I think a lot of it is on the individual dog too. Are they markers? Same sex DA? etc.

There was a study showing that neutered males had a much higher risk of developing osteosarcoma than intact males. This comes down to the individual dog again. Do they come from lines that have produced dogs with osteo before? Is the breed prone to bone cancer? That factored heavily into my decision to keep Strider intact. I have no plans to breed him, and especially NOT to Kaia (they're both pretty, but not the best complement to each other's strengths and weaknesses). The org he came from expressed interest in using him to produce a litter for service dog prospects if he's still intact in a few years, so who knows. They also have access to his brother and told me it was my decision whether to neuter or not. Since he made it through Kaia's heat without peeing on anything or whining the night away, he got to keep his gonads.

I would say either way its a good choice. You seem like a responsible person, so if you dont want to and he doesnt need it temperment wise then you should be OK.

However, be prepared for more people like your co working if you get into dog sports. In any sports I know of a inheat female is not allowed to compete so you dont have that to wory about at least.

I agree with you all, I just wondered if there was something else I wasn't taking into consideration. I've never owned an intact male before, so I'd probably just see how it goes and then figure out if there is going to be a problem or not. I don't see it being a problem, but you never know.

ETA: To compete with him, would I have to get him neutered? He doesn't have papers so he isn't registered. The kennel clubs I know about will only let dogs compete if they are registered with that kennel club, and they only accept registration of ancestry-unknown dogs if they are speutered. Which I think is a load of crap, but...

A week after his expected pick up date we were finally able to reach his owner. She said her "car broke down" (you can't borrow a car? Find another way to pick him up? How are you getting to work? Groceries?), that she had "been meaning to call" (how do you NOT call the place your dog is being kept for a WEEK when you know you aren't going to be able to pick him up right away?), and would "pick him up on X day" a few days later. That day came and went...no contact. We've tried to call again...no answer. We have had people that are boarding dogs with us wind up in the hospital, but we figure that out relatively quickly and make appropriate arrangements with the owner to keep the stress and monetary cost low for everyone involved. We've had people postpone pickups every few days until it adds up to quiet a bit of time, but they always stay in contact letting us know what is going on. We've also had people abandon their dogs with us - and this case is screaming of the latter. Or at the very least an owner who doesn't give a crap, which infuriates me because he deserves so much better.

I would keep him intact, unless you're planning on doing things like doggie daycare with him, where they require dogs to be neutered.

Then, give it a couple weeks, and if it's not a problem, why rock the boat?

ASCA allows unpapered intact dogs of any breed or mix to compete in performance events. All you need is an ASCA tracking number.

He is gorgeous!!! I hope you get to keep him and we get more pics.

Are any of your girls intact? If so, I would lean towards recommending neutering, though I know that plenty of people will say it's doable.

I will most likely neuter my future dogs once they have matured (B is neutered). But I also do/plan to bring my dogs places with other offleash dogs, so it just makes sense for me. (Because people are STUPID. I was at the dog beach once and overheard people talking about that fact that their bitch, who was with them, was IN HEAT. WTF?) Again, I'm sure people will say that it's still doable if your dog is under sufficient verbal control, but it's not a risk I'm willing to take. Not sure if you want to do the same kinds of activities?

Either way, you need him I would get a male neutered... just cause I could not deal with seeing his balls all the time :rofl1:

That said, Rosey is intact, so I guess I cannot say much for it LOL

ETA: If you DO bring him home for keeps, think about the fact that you will be moving in a year or 2. Where will you be moving? Who will all be going with you, dog wise? Will it be in a bully-friendly place? How easy will it be to rent with a pitbull, plus the other dog(s) going with you?

Me, wouldn't castrate unless there was a medical reason that showed it's head like testicular cancer. He's in gorgeous shape it looks like and handsome as can be.

To me, you answer your own question right here-

Personally, to alter I think you should have a pretty good reason to do so, instead of a reason not too.

I also believe you can do APDT rally with him in addition to what CP said. And there are other options I'm sure depending on what you want to compete in. I've had to get creative too because Traveler's balls aren't going anywhere

I get so squicked seeing males without balls :rofl1:

The competition question will depend on what you want to compete in. AKC will require him to be neutered. USDAA and CPE will not care either way.

Keep in mind, while the rule is that females in heat can't compete - they do. I trial with some breeders who have intact males, and they absolutely have seen it happen. Not often enough that I think it should really weigh into the decision making, but don't expect to never run into the issue.

He's adorable for sure!

I have a 3 going on 4 year old unneutered male who has not caused a day of trouble in his life.

Full blown heat, or just coming into?

I find it interesting that in heat females are banned from most (not all) performance events in the U.S. but are welcomed in most of Europe's as being not a big deal. Another discussion, though.

My personal opinion is below, nothing more than that. Take it or leave it as you wish.

Me, I would neuter the dog. A few reasons come to mind, none of which are medical.

For one, I am involved in animal rescue and I think it's always in good favor to practice what you preach. If the dog was to be kept intact for medical or show reasons, I wouldn't neuter, but otherwise I think it would be better to do so. Also, pits tend to have a "macho" rep as it is, so if I were to be involved in the breed, I'd be doing my best to model the way by showing others that a neutered dog is just as much of a dog as an unneutered one.

Secondly, accidents happen. Look at the several responsible owners who have had oops litters just on this board alone. I can think of two off the top of my head from within the last year. You say you will be moving out in a few years. In the meantime, are your parents as knowledgeable and responsible about dogs as you are?

There are a few other smaller things to consider - is the dog young enough that same sex aggression just hasn't developed yet? Are you willing to deal with medical issues if they *do* arise, rare as they may be? Do you own any intact dogs already? Will you be willing to refrain from adopting any animals until this dog dies (most reputable rescues and shelters that I've seen won't adopt to an owner with intact animals with no real "reason" behind the decision)? Same goes for fostering in the future.

Just a few things to consider. I guess I'm viewing this from the opposite angle. If you don't have a reason not to neuter, by all means do neuter if just to lead [the average, less responsible dog owner] by example.

Personally I'd neuter if he was already well into maturity, but I don't think you'd be doing him any injustice if you left him intact and were responsible about containing him.

Good to know!

No, I defiantly wouldn't be doing any kind of daycare/dog park thing with him. Not only because of his breed, but none of my other dogs are daycare/dog park kind of dogs and I'd much rather have play dates with known dogs than go to a place with who-knows-who's dog running amok.

Nope, my girlies are spayed. We raised a guide dog bitch and after going through a heat with her I can confidently say I would only want to go through one or two of those max with any future dogs. LOL The odor and the constant licking drove me up the wall.

I normally don't prefer seeing the things swinging in the wind, but his are small and not droopy, so its okay. :rofl1:

And when I move, I will NOT be getting an apartment. That has already been established due to Chloe (and the ferrets. And the cats.). If I move out right after graduation (a year from now) I will most likely rent a small house. If I move out a year after graduation, I will be buying my own starter home (the purpose of waiting that year would be to put aside all of the money I make in order to afford the down payments/monthly payments). I'm not worried about finding a place to rent with a "banned" breed in this area. Many places don't have breed restrictions, or if they do they aren't heavily enforced and you can get by with saying "Boxer mix".

I did think of this. I'd almost get him neutered just to avoid being asked 50 bajillion times "Hey, wanna stud him out?" *bangs head on desk*

Pretty much. They wouldn't really have anything to do with him at all, but I would trust them 100% with an intact dog, male or female. They may not be as passionate and knowledgeable about the little stuff that I am, but they get the big picture pretty well.

I'm not really concerned about same sex aggression. I've owned DA/DR dogs all of my life (of varying degree) and as long as everybody can live together peacefully (with supervision), I don't mind if they don't want to play with every dog they meet or can't tolerate coming nose to nose with strange dogs of the same sex. The time we were dog sitting a super dog-friendly dog, I felt odd walking around Petsmart not having to pick my path to avoid the idiots with dogs on flexi leashes. LOL
I'd be more than willing to deal with any medical issues. A medical issues is a medical issue.

As for fostering and rescuing, that is a good point. I've never adopted an animal from a shelter or rescue before (although almost all of them are rescues, they are what I call "private" rescues) and I really don't have any plans to adopt from a shelter or rescue in the future. But, I didn't have any plans to fall in love with a potentially abandoned Pit Bull Terrier, either, so...

And yes, he is a DOLL and is in great shape (a bit too skinny for my tastes - you can see part of his backbone, but still in great shape). The only problem he has is that when he plays tug and he looses his grip on the toy he likes to lunge for it - chomping on whatever is in the way in the process. He nailed my shirt, my pants, my finger, and my hand multiple times today. He lets go as soon as he realizes it isn't the tug, but he's a few seconds slow on the uptake at times and it HURTS. Me thinks he needs to learn the drop it command...
Oh, and he has zero leash manners. Like, none. If I didn't weigh three times as much as he does I'm pretty sure I'd have been pulled flat on my butt when I took him out onto the grass to poo. As it was I had to plant my heels and throw all my weight backwards to even bring him to a halt. LOL

I hope you can get him, he's beautiful!!!

I don't really have much of a view on spaying/neutering (only a handful of my pets have even been spayed/neutered - however we have had two oops litters in the past, but we were irresponsible, and knew very little about responsible dog ownership at the time) but I'd probably neuter him if I were you, just because (like someone's already mentioned) it's a good example, and will avoid unnecesary confrontation. And if it really does prevent certain cancers, why not?

But either way, good luck, and keep us updated!!!

You'll still get asked. :rofl1: The people who are stupid enough to ask in the first place tend to not get the "missing key body parts" issue.

I agree with this. Heck, we've had our very fair share of ooops litters on this board and I consider members here to be more than responsible when it comes to dog ownership. I just don't see a reason not to spay or neuter a dog if it is not for showing, breeding, or competing.

Of course, that is just my own opinion, I would not support mandatory spay and neutering, so don't even start accusing me of that

Or the wrong gender. People always ask if they can breed their studs to Strider. :rofl1: