To Neuter or not to neuter?

[pugmonster]

Hi, I have a tough decision to make and could really use some feedback from other pug owners who know the pug specifics. I've asked vets and other people, but they all speak in general canine terms and not breed specifics so here goes....I have a pug, his name is Cecil and he is SO much more than my best friend! My husband teases me that Cecil is my true soul mate and I should have been born a pug! I often tell people he's not a dog but a man in a dog suit because he really speaks to me with all of his little pug expressions! Hence, this decision is SO hard. When we first got him from the breeder I had thought about studding him once so I could have one of his puppies, so I didn't want to neuter him. He has champion bloodlines, excellent pedigree and all that. I could never bring myself to send in the registration papers, kinda felt like it would be demeaning for him somehow ( like what, I'm not good enough for you unless you can prove I have a pedigree?). Anyway, so now he'll be 2 on October 22, and he's been having some issues.
First one is he marks EVERYTHING!!! He never actually pees cause he has to, he never has to because he will spray anything AND EVERYTHING! He sprayed my grandma's foot last time we took him over to her house!
Next is he will hump (or try to) any quadruped he comes into contact with! Needless to say my poor kitty hasn't been amused :( So now we are moving into a bigger house, and we are bringing my grandparents, sister, her hubby and baby....and making our own little happy commune kinda place. Which is great for everyone, except they have 2 non spayed female dogs (a 10 week old boxer puppy and a 6 year old husky/lab mix). We've been trying to get them acquainted with each other but all Cecil wants to do is mount the 2 ladies, even though they are not in heat.
So i know, seems clear cut...get him clipped right? But is it actually going to help these issues or am I just robbing him of him manhood for nothing? Then I read that neutering a dog past a certain age causes serious personality changes, trust issues between the dog and person, weight gain (especially in pugs and beagles) and on and on.
So i guess the point of this horribly long post (sorry about that) is what are your collective experiences on the issue? I'm not wanting to debate any moral issues on the pet population, or spaying/neutering in general, I just want some friendly guidance from some experienced pug lovers.Thanks in advance for any help you can give, I'm really struggling here

[Pugdawg1]

Just my opinion, but neutered males make better pets. And it's a healthier choice for them. I neuter at 6 months. I have two neutered males.. one is 13 years old, one is 6 1/2 yrs. The younger one is very active, and lean. I can't see why not to neuter.. it's just better for all involved, IMO.

[pugmonster]

Had I made the decision not to stud him when he was younger this wouldn't be so complex for me. My concern is that he is almost 2 now, he has his little personality and I don't want to take any part of it from him. I don't want him to resent me, or get fat(ter),lazy, lethargic ect. This is where I'm conflicted

[smoochieface]

I haven't had to neuter past puppyhood but I know that plenty of others on this board here have and I'm sure they will pop in come morning.

My understanding from speaking with others is that the vast, vast majority of pugs who are neutered as young adults do not suffer personality changes, get fat, or otherwise suffer. Not only will it reduce the incidence of testicular disease and cancer in the future, but your pug will probably be very relieved to not have to constantly fight his natural urge to mate. However, it will take months for the testosterone to fully exit his body so you will not see immediate improvement.

You do need to make sure, however, that your vet is aware of the special challenges inherent in putting any short-muzzled dog, such as pugs and bulldogs, under anesthesia. So when your pug is neutered, it's also a good time to do a dental, check for elogated soft palate, or do anything else that can be done while he is under anesthesia.

If you do a search for the term "neuter" you will find numerous past discussions on this topic. If you do a search for the term "anesthesia" you will find discussions about this also, even though I will be the first to admit that I struggle with spelling that word.

Um, I just noticed that you are moving in with two female dogs who are not spayed. Setting aside the issue of why these females are not spayed, your male pug will be miserable in that sort of company. And quite frankly, it doesn't matter how closely you watch them or how dilligently you separate them, he is going to find a way to mount one of those females when they are in heat and then you'll just end up with unwanted pregnancies.

[Snifter]

Bottom line is that you either have to neuter your boy or spay both females if they are going to live together. (Or do all 3, of course). Or there really will be trouble. I would say that you as a family should decide which route to go. As Kendie says, your boy will be miserable in a house with 2 unspayed girls unless he is neutered. Even then, to be honest, I do wonder if the girls would give off pheromones that would excite even a neutered dog if they remain unspayed? Anyone know?

Also as Kendie says, it will take some months for the testosterone to leave his body so you won't see immediate improvements in the humping or the marking. To be honest, these may not reduce much anyway unless you do some diligent training. This is because they have probably been allowed to go on long enough for him to have formed a behavioural habit. Without the testosterone it should be much easier job to train him out of unwanted behaviours but it will still take time and effort, so be prepared.

[1pugmom]

Please for the sake of all the unwanted dogs in the world spay ;and neuter all the dogs. As you get to know the board more you will see all the unwanted dogs that need to be rescued and the sad stories behind them. I have had all females till Crusher. He is a neutered male and it anything is he more loving because he is my love. Others can tell you about your issues with your dog but please please spay and neuter all of them. Just my humble advice.

[rockypug]

hi
rocky isnt neutered and he humps my other male dog....but never does it with anything else...
he does mark now and again but as soon as he lifts leg i shout no and he stops...

but answering one of your queries is will it stop him humping dogs etc well when my old dog which has now passed we had him done and he still humped my female dog and male dog...none of them were done as we bred them...so when she was in season the neutured one will still try...

hope this helped from kaz

[Freddy'sMom]

My hubby had a male dog long before I knew him. He didn't neuter him. Norm was several years old (at least 5) when I met him. He started developing prostate problems a few years later. So he was neutered quite late in his life. He had no personality changes after the neuter. He still loved us with all his heart and was the awesome, wonderful, fantastic dog that he always had been.

I encourage you to neuter all of the dogs that will be living together. I bet it will make life easier for all of you.

[Donnag]

Hands down Neuter him.... It won't change his personality or make him lazy and lethargic.
You could potential be saying his life, neuter males have a tendency toward prostrate problems and are more prone to cancer.
If it were up to me I would rather have him around for as long as possible than have an offspring from him.
BTW I have both a male and female that are both fixed, my males is happy and full of life, not fat or lazy at all.

[bumble]

Paddy wasn't neutered until he was three; he's still very sweet and I have no weight problems (well, not with him!) Any weight problem is controlled by the owner.