| I get this question so often that it saddens me. | | | | your dog: it isn't pretty. I also suggest going to |
| Many people wonder if it's "better" for a dog to | | | | your local shelter to see some of the thousands |
| have a litter or so of puppies. Or they have such | | | | of homeless dogs and cats waiting to be killed, |
| a cute dog that they want to breed her just | | | | due to humans' lack of responsibility. The figures |
| once. Or they wait too long to get their pup | | | | are staggering. Approximately 6-8 million animals |
| spayed or neutered and an accidental litter | | | | enter shelters across the nation each year, and |
| happens! Spaying and neutering your dog is 100% | | | | 3-4 million of these are destroyed. |
| the right thing to do! Yes, spay or neuter your | | | | These numbers are driven by puppy mills and |
| puppy! | | | | backyard breeding, but are mainly driven by |
| Fixing your dog early is better for their health, | | | | owner irresponsibility and a lack of education. If |
| makes training easier, and allows them to socialize | | | | you're still not convinced about neutering, ask |
| in dog parks without problems. | | | | your vet about the many health risks, such as |
| The number of homeless dogs is astronomical. | | | | testicular cancers and a host of behavioral issues, |
| The ASPCA states that it is impossible to | | | | including potential dog aggression, which can |
| determine exactly how many stray dogs and cats | | | | develop in unneutered dogs. |
| live in the United States, but the estimate for | | | | Many people have also asked me if spaying or |
| cats alone ranges up to 70 million. Do your part to | | | | neutering will make their dog fat and lazy or |
| help control this problem by having your dog (and | | | | change his/her personality. I would like you to look |
| cat!) spayed or neutered. I had no problem with | | | | at my lean, 110 pound German Shepherd Dog |
| getting my female dog spayed. However, some | | | | (who was neutered at the age of six months) in |
| people project their own issues onto their dogs, | | | | the eye and tell him that he is fat or lazy. The |
| and feel they would not want to be spayed or | | | | only things that will make your dog fat are |
| neutered themselves. O.k. this I have to say is | | | | overfeeding and lack of exercise. |
| ridiculous and really kind of hilarious. It's a really | | | | I urge you to please take responsibility and get |
| easy, simple surgery. Ask your vet. | | | | your dog fixed. Do research and educate yourself! |
| Having puppies is a lot of work. If you don't | | | | Leave breeding to professionals. |
| believe me, go read a book on how to breed | | | | |