Dear Dr. Woof:
I am a 9 month old Beagle
who is the subject of quite a controversy. My human is trying
to decide whether or not to take me to be neutered. One of his
friends says he should do that right away because then I won't
be so silly, and I won't be running off anymore. My owner doesn't
like it when he tells me to stay in the yard and I take off around
the neighborhood. But my owner's other friends says that he shouldn't
have me neutered because I will get fat and lazy and because I
am a male it's no big deal anyway--I'M certainly not going to
have any puppies! Now my owner doesn't know what to do. What
do you think?
Happy Just As I Am
Dear Happy:
First, your owner needs to
know that neither of his friends are giving him factual information.
1. Neutering you will NOT
suddenly make you become an obedient stay-at-home fellow. You
are, after all, a Beagle and will continue to be one whether you
are neutered or not. Neutering will not change your personality
or your desire to snoop around and "follow your nose."
Good training and confinement are the surest ways to keep you
home.
2. A dog becomes fat not
because he is neutered but because he is overfed and\or is not
provided with adequate exercise. I can't generalize about ALL
beagles, but the majority of them NEVER become lazy--perhaps just
less active in their twilight years.
There are, however, many good
reasons that you should be neutered. When you get a little older
and your nose tells you that there is a female dog in season somewhere
in the vicinity, your instincts will take over and even good training
will not prevent you from taking off in search of a mate, oblivious
to the dangers you will face crossing roads or becoming lost.
Even if you are securely confined, your frustration at not being
able to get out will cause you to behave badly. Neutering will
alleviate that frustration and actually make your life happier.
In addition you will be much less prone to develop prostate infections
or cancers as you get older. Of course, it is true that you will
not HAVE puppies. A responsible owner will have you neutered
to be sure that you do not father any either, and that will certainly
help to solve the tremendous animal overpopulation problem in
America today. I really can't think of any good reason that your
owner would have for NOT having you neutered.
(10 of
23)
