Should you de-sex a female dog?

Whether you get your dog spayed or neutered, he or she will still have a sex. Consider women who have had a complete hysterectomy; they are of course still female. "Fixing" a pet simply makes it sterile and does not drastically change its personality.

To fix or not to fix is a complex decision, as there are many contributing factors involved. For example, do you ever intend to breed your dog? If not, and you still decide to leave your dog intact, are you willing to supervise the animal closely enough to prevent it from having sexual contact with another intact dog, thereby creating a litter of unwanted puppies?

Many pet-owners and veterinarians support the goal of spaying and neutering pet canines by 6 months of age, with the goal of preventing an excess dog population. Homeless dogs and puppies are often doomed to lives of suffering, or else early euthanasia at a high-kill shelter.

There are health issues involved with both intact and altered animals. As you can imagine, hormones are present in mammals for a reason. Neutered males dogs, for example, have no problems with testicular cancer, yet may be prone to immune system problems later in life. One solution might be to allow your pet -- male or female -- to be intact for a year or so; that way, he or she will be able to build up important hormones that will have a positive effect on the animal's health. Of course, you must then take care to prevent unwanted puppies while your pooch is fertile. Also, keep in mind that keeping a bitch in heat in your house can be a messy proposition and may require extra cost and effort on your part. If you are still unsure about how to proceed concerning spaying and neutering, get the advice of a trusted veterinarian.