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Post by trinitydobes on Jan 17, 2012 11:14:29 GMT -5
Behavioral and Physical Effects of
Spaying and Neutering Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris)
Summary of findings detailed in a Masters thesis submitted to and accepted by Hunter College
by Parvene Farhoody in May, 2010.
© 2010 Parvene Farhoody & M. Christine Zink
Spaying and neutering domestic dogs is generally accepted as a relatively benign procedure conducted on millions of dogs each year. The view of spaying and neutering as benign and perhaps even beneficial to dogs has been based on extremely limited scientific study of how gonadectomy
affects dog behavior and physiology. To investigate this, a 101-question survey called the Canine Behavior and Research Questionnaire was used to collect information on seven behavioral characteristics for 10,839 dogs. The C-BARQ is a qualitative behavioral assessment instrument
created by James Serpell and his colleagues at the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the University of Pennsylvania. At this time, it is the only behavioral assessment questionnaire that
has been peer-reviewed and found to be reliable and valid (Hsu & Serpell, 2003).
Behavioral characteristics of intact male and female dogs were compared with those of four groups of neutered dogs: those neutered at or before 6 months, between 7 and 12 months, between 13 and 18 months, and after 18 months. Our data showed that the behavior of neutered dogs was significantly different from the findings, neutered dogs were more aggressive, fearful, excitable, and less trainable than intact dogs.
In addition, we measured eight individual bone lengths plus the height of 202 agility competition dogs to determine whether gonadectomy affected bone lengths. Preliminary analysis revealed significant differences in bone growth between the intact and neutered groups. These findings strongly support the need for an immediate re-evaluation of the current recommendation to spay or neuter dogs to prevent or treat behavior problems, and an equally pressing need to more fully examine the wide range of physical effects of spaying and neutering pet dogs.
Figure 1. Aggression scores in male dogs neutered at different ages
compared with intact male dogs. There was a significantly higher aggression score in neutered dogs as compared to intact dogs regardless of the age at which the dogs were neutered.
Figure 2. Aggression scores in female dogs spayed at different ages compared with intact female dogs. There was a highly significant increase in aggression score of dogs spayed at 12 months or earlier as compared to intact dogs.
Figure 3. Fear and anxiety scores in male dogs neutered at different ages compared with intact male dogs. There was a significant increase in fear and anxiety scores in neutered dogs as compared to intact dogs regardless of the age at which the dogs were neutered
Figure 4. Fear and anxiety scores in neutered dogs compared with intact dogs. A, all intact females (green) compared with all neutered females (red). B, all intact males (green) compared with all neutered males (red). C, all intact male and female dogs (green) compared with all neutered male and female dogs. D, all intact and neutered females (open triangle)
compared with all intact and neutered males (open circle). In all cases, spayed or neutered dogs had higher excitability scores.
Figure 5. Comparison of bone length between the scapula and ulna of intact and neutered light-boned large dogs. From left: intact male dogs compared with neutered male dogs, intact female dogs compared
with neutered female dogs, all intact dogs compared with all neutered dogs. Spayed females had significantly longer scapula:ulna ratios than intact females.
Figure 6. Comparison of bone length between the scapula and metacarpals of intact and neutered light-boned large dogs. From left: intact male dogs compared with neutered male dogs, intact female dogs
compared with spayed female dogs, all intact dogs compared with all neutered dogs. Spayed females had significantly longer scapula: metacarpal ratios than intact females.
Summary
The above data is just a small sample of the significant data that were determined in this study. By using large a sample of dogs than any used previously to examine behavior in dogs, we found significant correlations between neutering dogs and increases in aggression, fear and anxiety, and excitability, regardless of the age at which the dog was neutered. There were also significant correlations between neutering and decreases in trainability and responsiveness to cues. The other three behavioral categories examined (miscellaneous behavior problems, attachment and attentionseeking behavior, and separation-related behavior) showed some association with neutering, but these differed more substantially depending on the age at which the dog was neutered. The overall trend seen in all these behavioral data was that the earlier the dog was neutered, the more negative the effect on the behavior. A difference in bone length was found between neutered and intact dogs, suggesting that neutering has an effect on bone growth, which may be related to other orthopedic effects documented in the literature. Examination of changes in bone length of gonadectomized dogs is continuing. |
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Post by 4Dobies on Jan 18, 2012 12:55:09 GMT -5
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Post by von Cosack on Jan 25, 2012 10:25:15 GMT -5
Altering dogs is basicly a very new alternative when you consider the length of time that dogs and humans have lived together. The human companion simply doesn't have the time or experience to deal with bitches in heat or a male who wants to follow his natural desire to breed. The pets our parents or grandparents or generations from our past didn't alter their pets. It was not practiced and it was frowned upon for health reasons.
The explosion of shelters and rescue organization has warrented the need to alter dogs because of overwhelming amount of people who own dogs that shouldn't. Altering is just another way to cut responsibilties that owners need to accept prior to purchasing a dog. Sorta like failure to train manners for the house, just put the dog in a house cage and when its old enough to "learn" how to act in the house we'll consider letting it out? Just another short cut and dropping the ball that owners in the past accepted. Most of these problems stem from breeders who aren't prepared to teach their customers the correct way to raise a pup. Today altering is a part of a pets life but they need to go through their maturation proccess intact. At 2 years old they can be altered and hopefully have finished there physical growth. As for the use of house cages well thats just pet owners intellect and in there lies the problem. If you can teach a pup to heel/sit/down/stay you can damn well teach house manners its just more OB!!!! ya know common sense!!! Oh yeah thats another problem, breeders who can't be bothered teaching owners how to train!!! Just take this cage thing so that you don't have to put time, effort and god forbid spend a buck on a trainer so that a dog doesn't spend 14 to 18 hours a DAY in a cage, crate, den, safeway hole? Whatever, its a damn cage thats what it is say it!!! Poor Dogs!!! no free running, no adventurs, no traveling, no home training!! No time/No effort/no money/ Don't buy a pup and you breeders out there Don't sell pups to people who don't have the Time to raise them the right way!! VON.
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Post by Nellie on Jan 25, 2012 11:37:11 GMT -5
Altering dogs is basicly a very new alternative when you consider the length of time that dogs and humans have lived together. The human companion simply doesn't have the time or experience to deal with bitches in heat or a male who wants to follow his natural desire to breed. The pets our parents or grandparents or generations from our past didn't alter their pets. It was not practiced and it was frowned upon for health reasons. The explosion of shelters and rescue organization has warrented the need to alter dogs because of overwhelming amount of people who own dogs that shouldn't. Altering is just another way to cut responsibilties that owners need to accept prior to purchasing a dog. Sorta like failure to train manners for the house, just put the dog in a house cage and when its old enough to "learn" how to act in the house we'll consider letting it out? Just another short cut and dropping the ball that owners in the past accepted. Most of these problems stem from breeders who aren't prepared to teach their customers the correct way to raise a pup. Today altering is a part of a pets life but they need to go through their maturation proccess intact. At 2 years old they can be altered and hopefully have finished there physical growth. As for the use of house cages well thats just pet owners intellect and in there lies the problem. If you can teach a pup to heel/sit/down/stay you can damn well teach house manners its just more OB!!!! ya know common sense!!! Oh yeah thats another problem, breeders who can't be bothered teaching owners how to train!!! Just take this cage thing so that you don't have to put time, effort and god forbid spend a buck on a trainer so that a dog doesn't spend 14 to 18 hours a DAY in a cage, crate, den, safeway hole? Whatever, its a damn cage thats what it is say it!!! Poor Dogs!!! no free running, no adventurs, no traveling, no home training!! No time/No effort/no money/ Don't buy a pup and you breeders out there Don't sell pups to people who don't have the Time to raise them the right way!! VON. Von - I can teach till I am blue in the face but if folks don't want to learn I can't help it. These folks will promise the moon to get the pup and then what?? |
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Post by von Cosack on Jan 25, 2012 17:15:43 GMT -5
Quit!! No breedings no puppies!! If you can't sell locally (within 200 miles) don't do it. I've said this before a number of times I never sold a pup without OB and PP attached. It was included in the price and times have certainly changed but if I couldn't do it my way I wouldn't do it. My way was the best way it insured the pup safety and the people loved the fact that they were buying into a life style. Life style meaning time time time and then more time!!! No children under 8 years old sorry but that how the pup is assured time needed to become a great dog. Lots more but whats the use of me going on people buy dogs then crate them, come on thats BS and you know it. I'm not talking about breeders who have multiple dogs and kenneling is part of being a breeder. Never mind it just upsets me and its become a bore, Poor Dobermanns!! Von
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Post by cathynu on Jan 25, 2012 17:50:51 GMT -5
"Life style meaning time time time and then more time!!! No children under 8 years old sorry but that how the pup is assured time needed to become a great dog. Lots more but whats the use of me going on people buy dogs then crate them" I like what you say here Von, no change that: I LOVE what you said there Von ...... This I think is probably one of the most important if not THE MOST IMPORTANT reason for taking a working breed of dog ..... A life style - and prospective novice owners NEED TO KNOW THIS - in fact before a dog gets sold to them, they need to be taken to a dogsport event - and I DON'T MEAN a dog show - so they KNOW what is going to be expected of them. A lot of young guys want a particular dog for a specific look - you know they want to look cool owning a Dobermann and the other POPULAR BREED among young guys is Pitt Bulls ..... well sadly A LOT of these people only want a look they're not interested in the work involved when you take on these breeds so a lot land in rescue, because the poor animal is bored beyond belief and will go out there and look for itself for a "job" and most times its either destruction of the owners property or possessions or it gets out into the neighbourhood and goes and terrorises other people ..... Believe me my husband wanted working dogs, but when he discovered it was more work that he was interested in expending, the dogs suddenly became mine - believe me I LOVE both these guys beyond words, and will do ANYTHING NECESSARY for them!! But where we've got to today didn't come without a WHOLE LOT of aggravation, frustration, anger .... call it what you will, and I'm STILL learning as each day passes .... 
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Post by 4Dobies on Jan 25, 2012 18:49:49 GMT -5
"Life style meaning time time time and then more time!!! No children under 8 years old sorry but that how the pup is assured time needed to become a great dog. Lots more but whats the use of me going on people buy dogs then crate them" I agree with what you are saying Von with the exception of the statement above. Before we got Leia 2 1/2 years ago we sat down with the kids and explained to them our new dog would be part of the family and part of their responsibility was to help us with everything involved with the dogs from training to feeding. 4 Dobermans later they are still doing their part. Maybe if you said children under five I would be more apt to agree.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEHrL5VvsmA |
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Post by von Cosack on Jan 25, 2012 19:23:21 GMT -5
Just a general statement, theres always exceptions to rules and parents that have a plan are the exceptions. I find that 8 years old is the minimum in most cases. I don't blame the parents I blame the breeders for not having rules to follow as atleast a guide. Von
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Post by aruiz0322 on Jan 25, 2012 19:41:36 GMT -5
I think that this is a case by case basis. I have young kids and we meaning my husband and I have worked out a plan to make sure that any animal we bring into our family gets the time deserved by that animal. Our animals are a part of our family and will be cared for as a member of the family.
Amy
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Post by cathynu on Jan 26, 2012 9:08:32 GMT -5
Families like 4 Dobies and Amy are REALLY the exception instead of the rule .... and that is wonderful that you have an organised plan of "attack", and the animals get to have the best of both worlds, because they are also socialized to little people and the little people get to interact with wonderful companions but also get to learn responsibility towards them at an early age. Sadly however there are very few others who do this. Its a matter of get the dog and be woken up to a nasty surprise .... which has to be blamed on BYB's who'll sell to ANYONE as well as idiots out there who don't do their research on the most suited breed to their family and circumstances!! EXPERIENCE talking makes this a VERY IMPORTANT topic which lies very close to my heart - I LOVE animals, and HATE to seem them getting the raw end of the deal - as so many do!! - they don't ask to come into our homes we are the ones who drive to the breeder or shelter or wherever to get them - they come to us trusting and hoping to get a family who will love on them - they are the ones who give us unconditional love - I COULD NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER hurt either of my guys - no matter what!! When we bought Rex NO QUESTIONS were ever asked of us or what his new circumstances would be - we handed over our greenbacks and the dog was put into our van. I will always be very thankful I found all of you wonderful Dobermann - but also animal lovers here with whom I can share my opinions as well as ask my questions!! As always muchly appreciated!!
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Post by trinitydobes on Jan 26, 2012 12:20:11 GMT -5
AHHHHHH grasshopper - we are so proud of you lol and Cathy - I so love how honest you are not only with us - but with yourself - I always look forward to reading your point of view - its taught me a thing or two as well
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