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Old July 6th, 2012, 12:27 PM
Choochi Choochi is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Toronto
Posts: 304
Eearly neutering, as in before the dog is fully physically mature and done growing and filling out does indeed change how the dog will grow. Dogs who are growing without the necessary hormones do grow up to be longer and thinner (scientifically proven) and with less muscle mass. Argue it all you want, it's true.

All modern studies into the differences between intact and altered dogs, male and female, in fact don't support ANY of the usual spay/neuter mantra or reasons for fixing. Intact dogs tend to show less aggression, have less fear issues, are far calmer, and can be better companions then dogs that have been spayed or neutered and this has been shown to be true regardless of the age of when the dog was fixed. This is true for all of the medical information quoted as well. Intact dogs face fewer medical risks, and spaying and neutering has actually been linked to some very serious medical issues. One of the major ones being bone cancer. The risk of testicular or mamary cancers in intact dogs which is what is often quoted as the reason to spay/neuter are TINY in comparison to the risk of bone cancer in spayed/neutered animals. In addition testicular and mammary cancers are relatively easy to deal with and have a high survival rate, bone cancer on the other hand has a very high mortality rate.



The question really should be, are you prepared to live with an intact dog? No the do NOT mark more, that is hogwash. Are you prepared for the responsibility of owning an intact animal, taking precautions making sure he does not accidentally mate with a female? Most doggy daycares and dog walker will not accept an intact dog. You may not be able to take your dog to dog parks, not because your dog is the issue, but unfortunately neutered male dogs can be extremely aggressive towards intact dogs. Since you have a whippet, you might already be prepared to deal with the fact you will never let him off leash (it might even be in your breeder's contract). That will make most of the above stipulations easier.


As for changing to adult food, you never mentioned how old your dog is now.
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