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Spay or Neuter?
Spaying is the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries from the abdomen of an animal. Spaying is the foolproof, permanent method of birth control for female pets.
Neutering is the surgical removal of the testicles of a pet. It is the primary method of sterilizing male pets. It is as important to neuter male pets as it is to spay female pets, even though male pets don't give birth.
The statistics on sheltered pugs are abhorrent because an un-neutered pug does not make an ideal house pet. Both male and female will, can and do mark their territories, they are far more territorial, moody, run a much higher risk of cancer in their reproductive organs and due to the tremendous stress of the heat cycle and/or male urges are much more susceptible to common illnesses. Un-neutered dogs will shed more as well.
It is a total misconception that a dog most or should reach sexual maturity and/or have one litter before neutering. Personality and health reasons dictate that the dog should ideally be neutered prior to this maturity. Most vets spay or neuter at 6 months. Shelters (who see the astronomical number of unwanted pets) are spaying and neutering at 12 weeks, and they are finding a much more speedy recovery and tolerance for the anesthesia.
Any risks associated with the surgical procedure are far out weighed by the benefits. And the cost of the procedure is far less than the potential cost of medical care that may be required for an unduly stressed pug. (False pregnancy, poor coat, allergies etc.)
We want to stress to the prospective pug owner that many wonderful little pugs are sent to shelters and are put to sleep. So many because they were not neutered at all or in time and therefore became undesirable pets or otherwise have become a disappointment to the new pug owner. As breeders, our concern is for the pup for it's entire life and spaying or neutering gives that pup a much happier, healthier, longer life.
More facts:
- Each day about 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all these animals.
- Shelters in the United States accept 8 to 12 million animals each year.
- About 30 to 60 percent of all animals brought in to shelters in the United States are euthanized.
- Veterinarians perform spay and neuter surgeries under general anesthetic. Animals usually return to normal activity within 24 to 72 hours. Spaying/neutering cost more as the dog ages, by as much as $200 for an older female. There is a high risk factor as the dog ages.
- Any discomfort is minimal and well outweighs the suffering and death caused by uncurbed breeding. Having the surgery also eliminates the risk of certain diseases such as mammary and testicular cancer.
- Pets should not gain weight after spaying or neutering as long as you provide a balanced diet and encourage regular exercise.
- The latest medical findings indicate that your pet, male or female, will be healthier and live a longer life if it is spayed or neutered.
- Neutering stops male "spraying" to mark territory.
- Neutering greatly reduces the tendency to roam and aggression toward other animals.
Dakota Pugs believes that responsible pet ownership begins with the breeder. We believe that it is necessary to pass this on to our customers, and to do our best to inform and educate them of the importance of a good spay/neuter program. Our dogs are fully papered and registered with the AKC, but if you are only interested in a quality companion that will bring you years of happiness and fun, and not interested in showing or breeding your dog, we will require you to have your pet spayed or neutered prior to our issuing the registration papers. At such time when we receive a veterinarian's certificate of sterilization, we will forward to you the dog's AKC limited registration papers, which means that the dog is fully registered, but that it's offspring will not be eligible for AKC registration. Obviously, if an animal has been sterilized, it can bear no offspring.
If your intentions are to breed or show one of our pugs, and we determine after careful consideration that this will be an appropriate situation for you and the dog, we will of course not require sterilization papers, and full AKC registration papers will be provided with your dog from Dakota Pugs. This will ensure that your pug, as well as any offspring from the particular dog will be eligible for AKC registration as well.
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