De-sexing Debate

[jackie_a1]

Hey all,

So sorry if this has been done before but I read a few threads were this debate had come up so I figured might as well get this started.

The poll question is should non breeders legally be made to de-sex their pet? As in are you an advocate for mandatory desexing?

However I'm also curious to know your opinions on de-sexing ignoring the legal side. As in do YOU think owners should de-sex their pets? (Specifically non registered breeders) your average pet owner.

[Borderpower]

I voted Yes, It would stop alot of unwanted puppies, I know alot of people including breeders will disagree with that but that's My opinion

[SparkyTansy]

I voted yes, but there would have to be exemptions... for example if there is a medical reason for which it would be in the dogs best interest to remain entire, and also might have to be breed/size specific... I wouldn't desex a large breed until after 12 months.

[Janba]

There are numerous reasons why non breeders would keep a dog entire. Showing is the main one that would apply to the people on this forum. There are plenty of medical reasons for not desexing till ater i.e allowing a dog to physically mature to stop things like elongation of the long bones, inverted uterus etc. It would also depend on what you classify as a registered breeder. There are plenty of legitimate breeders on other registries than the ANKC i.e the working registries, greyhounds.

It is not really a question of mandatory desexing but of responsible ownership.

[becks]

The irresponcible will ignore the law anyway, so it wouldn't really change things.

[PRADA68]

There are numerous reasons why non breeders would keep a dog entire. Showing is the main one that would apply to the people on this forum. There are plenty of medical reasons for not desexing till ater i.e allowing a dog to physically mature to stop things like elongation of the long bones, inverted uterus etc. It would also depend on what you classify as a registered breeder. There are plenty of legitimate breeders on other registries than the ANKC i.e the working registries, greyhounds.

It is not really a question of mandatory desexing but of responsible ownership.

Excellent post and I totally agree. I voted no.   This also includes Mini Foxie Club of Australia members. 

[jackie_a1]

Okay let me specify.

Dogs that are being shown, or bred (by a registered breeder or 'legitimate' breeder) are exempt.

I mean specifically pet dogs. Dogs that are brought, given, purchased etc for the sole reason of being a pet. Working registrar dogs gryehounds and so on are exempt. This is aimed at the average pet owner who just has a dog for the sake of companionship.

Edited May 6, 2010 by jackie_a1

[furballs]

I'm not going to vote because I believe that all dogs which are not meant for breeding should be desexed, but only if it is the best thing for the dog. Some breeds such as Rottweilers have a high chance of developing bone cancer if they are desexed before 2 years of age. Other dogs may have health problems which make it dangerous for them to undergo an unnecessary operation. If a responsible dog owner makes the choice (for whatever reason) not to desex, then they will ensure the dog/bitch is unable to produce pups.

It is also believed that dogs don't develop properly when they are desexed before they mature. In my own personal experience, I believe this is true.

[jackie_a1]

Medically of course a dog will be exempt its without question. If the law was to stand I'm sure medical and other exemptions would be first on the list.

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

Medically of course a dog will be exempt its without question. If the law was to stand I'm sure medical and other exemptions would be first on the list.

i dont agree. once the legislators get their hands on anything we have little chance of it making sense or staying true to the original intent.

[Janba]

Okay let me specify.

Dogs that are being shown, or bred (by a registered breeder or 'legitimate' breeder) are exempt.

I mean specifically pet dogs. Dogs that are brought, given, purchased etc for the sole reason of being a pet.

How would you police bought etc soley as a pet? What happens if someone changes ther mind and decides to show etc? What do you classify as a legitimate breeder?

All my dogs were bought as pets first and other purposes second.

[furballs]

Medically of course a dog will be exempt its without question. If the law was to stand I'm sure medical and other exemptions would be first on the list.

i dont agree. once the legislators get their hands on anything we have little chance of it making sense or staying true to the original intent.

Exactly, it would be very difficult and expensive to prove that your dog shouldn't be desexed for medical reasons.

[Nekhbet]

I dont think it should be mandatory for everyone. I have two entire dogs and I wont change it. Neither will be bred from. I think signing a council contract that you will not breed would be the way to go if anything, if you have a whoops litter you have to abort/desex all dogs from then on. Pretty easy really

[jackie_a1]

This is how I would police it Janba.

Dogs bought, purchased or given without papers. If you go to a pet shop and buy a dog. If you buy one off a mate. If you are given a puppy. SPECIFICALLY a dog without papers. I haven't written the legislation...

[jackie_a1]

Nekhbet Razor is entire and I don't like the idea of being forced to desex either. BUT at the same time I don't like the thousands of millions of animals in shelters homeless either.

[Jed]

No. I fought against proposed laws for mandatory desexing, because I believe the owner should have the right of choice.

there is a body of evidence out there which shows that early desexing can lead to problems, there is also evidence that desexing at any age leads to problems. There is also evidence that not desexing leads to problems.

I think that pet owners should make their own decisions.

Mandatory desexing assumes that pet owners are all cretins who aren't able to manage their dog's sexuality. This is not the case, most dog owners are responsible. It is the irresponsible few who are the problem, and it is highly unlikely that they would either register the dog, or desex it, no matter what the law is.

Desexing can have an adverse effect on coats as well as a few other things.

Desexing does not cause huge temperament changes - ie, dogs becoming quieter, less dog agressive etc. These are socialisation and training problems, not sexual problems.

Most of my puppy buyers desex. A few didn't, and I knew that when they bought the pup. I respected their decision (which had nothing to do with breeding, or the man thing of "ouch"), and none of these dogs have reproduced.

In the long term, mandatory desexing for all but registered dogs will mean there will be NO cross bred dogs. None at all. I am happily a purebred snob, although I do own a cross bred dog, but I don't think the people who would like a cross bred dog should have to buy a purebred because there is no choice.

The long term future with no cross bred dogs at all is quite frightening.

Education, encouragement to desex, and putting pups into lifetime homes is the answer to the numbers in the pounds.

There is no oversupply of pups, according to studies by bodies such as AVA, but there is an oversupply of juvenile and older dogs.

to reduce numbers in pounds, we need to reduce the numbers of people deciding they don't want/can't keep the dog. Making pups harder, or impossible to obtain will not stop that.

In short, mandatory desexing removes the right of people to choose what is best for their pet, and will not reduce numbers in the pounds.

And mandatory desexing laws in shires in Victoria have proved to be a nightmare for pet owners, and look like being tested in court.

Edited May 6, 2010 by Jed

[Black Bronson]

I think it's of benefit to desex female pets, eliminates seasons and pregnancies, but I don't think desexing a male provides much benefit. Personally I would go for a vasectomy if I had to sterilise a male.

[Nekhbet]

well then dont breed him dear.

you have to make it fair. Animals are in shelters because they're untrained and randomly bred before sheer numbers. Not every non ANCK breeder is a person who churns out dogs for profit either, not all breeds are ANKC recognised.

puppy farmers - gone

BYBers - if you want to breed at all there should be a license

petstores - I agree with mandatory desexing from pet stores and pounds. At least if you breed it get it from a good source.

[jackie_a1]

Hahah Nekhbet I was agreeing whole heatedly with you. I will NEVER EVER EVER EVER breed from any of my dogs. I do not have the experience, expense, time etc to do it and it would be irresponsible of me.

Also Jed agreed definitely agreed.

I think dogs and cats should NOT ever be sold in pet stores period.

[furballs]

I think it's of benefit to desex female pets, eliminates seasons and pregnancies, but I don't think desexing a male provides much benefit. Personally I would go for a vasectomy if I had to sterilise a male.

If all males were desexed, females wouldn't need to be, I don't understand your argument.