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.