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from the how-much^W-big-is-that-doggie-in-the-window? dept.
Big Dogs Face More Joint Problems if Neutered Early:
It's standard practice in the U.S. and much of Europe to neuter dogs by 6 months of age. This study, which analyzed 15 years of data from thousands of dogs at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, suggests dog owners should consider their options carefully.
"Most dogs are mixed breeds," said lead author Benjamin Hart, distinguished professor emeritus at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
[...] Researchers examined common joint disorders including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament tears, a knee injury, in five weight categories.
[...] The risk of joint disorders for heavier dogs can be up to a few times higher compared to dogs left intact. This was true for large mixed-breed dogs. For example, for female dogs over 43 pounds, the risk jumped from 4 percent for intact dogs to 10-12 percent if spayed before a year of age.
"The study raises unique challenges," noted co-author Lynette Hart, professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "People like to adopt puppies from shelters, but with mixed breeds it may be difficult to determine just how big the dog will become if you don't know anything about the dog's parents."
Neutering prior to adoption is a common requirement or policy of humane societies, animal shelters and breeders. [...] Shelters, breeders and humane societies should consider adopting a standard of neutering at over a year of age for dogs that will grow into large sizes.
Journal Reference:
Hart, Benjamin L., Hart, Lynette A., Thigpen, Abigail P., et al. Assisting Decision-Making on Age of Neutering for Mixed Breed Dogs of Five Weight Categories: Associated Joint Disorders and Cancers, Frontiers in Veterinary Science (DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00472)
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Friday August 14 2020, @03:33PM (14 children)
I mean this in the kindest way possible and with no disrespect or intention to offend.
Republicans teach "abstinence only" sex education. Combined with the idea that maybe pubescent children should not be allowed to understand what is happening to them and their bodies. They don't understand what is happening to them when they "go into heat" so to speak. They are not allowed to breed. Yet often find ways of doing so -- sometimes without even understanding what they are doing. (The girl says "but mom, I didn't let him kiss me, ever, just as you said, yet I got pregnant, somehow, anyway") (Or Sarah Palin's daughter "mom! I'm pregnant again! Why does this keep happening to me?")
I think of the poor dog in this situation.
I'm not arguing against your approach, especially if it's working for you. And the alternative is that the dog later has joint problems and no understanding of what is happening to them.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 2) by barbara hudson on Friday August 14 2020, @05:20PM (1 child)
I just don't understand how at some times of the year he can go 2-3 hours, stopping just to catch his breath. I know Jack Russell dogs are energetic, but I never expected this much. But I'll give him credit where it's due - he's between 8 and 10 years old, and with all that exercise, everyone says he's really buff.
SoylentNews is social media. Says so right in the slogan. Soylentnews is people, not tech.
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Saturday August 15 2020, @01:37PM
Some dogs are just totally into it... others couldn't care less. I have both extremes in my kennel -- a pair of males who've lived together their whole lives, and spend every waking moment exchanging humps (they have masturbation down to a fine art) ... and a younger male who lives with the girls, but is studiously disinterested unless a female actively courts him, and otherwise absolutely never humps anyone or anything (not even females in heat). His two teenage sons (and my other older males) are more typical ... they'll hump a hot bitch, but otherwise can't be bothered. Of course mine live full-time adjacent to intact females, so it's not something New And Fascinating every time they catch a whiff.
Have seen the same among females... had one who spent her entire life industriously humping her lady-love (she was, given opportunity, a monogamous lesbian)....and others who are like "keep your nasty twat away from me!" But generally females will hump whatever catches their attention, and if several are in heat together, the choo-choo train can be awesome. Overall they're much more into humping than males could ever be. And males can usually be discouraged, but if females had strap-ons, they'd be dangerous.
This is 3 females, the one in the middle in heat and the other two intent on committing Dog Rape... and yes, the one on the right is pumping with such enthusiasm that she's completely off the ground.
http://www.doomgold.com/images/3girls_having_fun_7172.jpg [doomgold.com]
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Booga1 on Friday August 14 2020, @06:20PM (8 children)
I get where you're coming from here, but dogs are not children. I know you aren't trying to equate instincts with education, but mature dogs are fully functional adults of their species. They have instincts, hormones, and physical biological changes driving them to have sex. This is the natural course of life for them.
It is entirely our responsibility to ensure they don't reproduce. Keeping your pets isolated is just as valid a method of birth control as spaying and neutering. As long as they don't get out and others don't break in to get to them, it is 100% effective. You are responsible for what happens(or doesn't happen).
As for the article itself: It's nice to see further studies acknowledging the differences of medical outcomes between dachshunds and great danes. Unfortunately, there are still some people pushing advice to neuter male dogs as early as possible. Some suggest as soon as eight weeks [dogtime.com] along with the angle that needing to wait six months is "old and outdated" advice.
Bone development is pretty important for some of the barrel chested breeds. I've heard of constricted chests, badly formed shoulders, joint issues, and similar problems from veterinarians for years regarding early neutering of big dogs. Now, there are other reasons to spay and neuter pets. As mentioned by others here, behavior modification is a big part of it. I just think it's prudent to wait until they've had a chance to finish growing a bit more.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Friday August 14 2020, @06:39PM (6 children)
For me it is a moot issue. The dogs we have and have had in the past were all
neutered, er, umfixedrepaired.We have only one small dog now and she's getting a bit old but still doing well. I don't intend, at this point, to get another dog.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 2) by barbara hudson on Friday August 14 2020, @07:56PM (5 children)
SoylentNews is social media. Says so right in the slogan. Soylentnews is people, not tech.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Friday August 14 2020, @09:04PM (4 children)
Believe me, I know all that.
This dog may be the last because we're getting old enough that we have less and less energy to take care of a dog. We have a good sized fenced in back yard, which is good. But we don't do as many walks as we used to. I would hate to have a new rambunctious puppy full of energy. Of course, there are probably older dogs that are adoptable. And my wife may want one more than I do, since I spend most of the days at the office. It's not an issue as long as have our current dog that we've had from a puppy.
Its amusing that since I do the feeding right before I leave for work, and right when I get home, I always get the anxious greeting. And if I'm running 20 minutes late, there is some anxiety in the dog I am told.
Dogs don't judge you for programming in Java.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 2) by barbara hudson on Friday August 14 2020, @10:18PM (2 children)
SoylentNews is social media. Says so right in the slogan. Soylentnews is people, not tech.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday August 17 2020, @03:02PM (1 child)
When we got this dog as a puppy of 3 months, the kid still lived at home, was in high school, we all had a lot more energy than we do now. The dog has had and still has a great life. But both the dog and us are getting older. If we were to get another dog, it would be worth considering an older dog.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 2) by barbara hudson on Monday August 17 2020, @05:29PM
SoylentNews is social media. Says so right in the slogan. Soylentnews is people, not tech.
(Score: 2) by barbara hudson on Saturday August 15 2020, @01:32PM
Found out after posting this that one of my sisters had to put down a dog riddled with cancer. She had gotten it from a woman who was dying of cancer and couldn't keep it. Sad, but at least the dog outlived it's owner, And had a good life. But yes, a fancy poodle. Inbred.
She's insisting that her current dog is the last one. Getting old, doesn't need the shedding and the inconvenience. Mind you, the same day she sent me a pic of a St Bernard that needed to be re-homed, she swore her current dog would be the last, and a few hours later she heard about the woman with cancer and took the dog. My bet is she'll continue with older dogs - not as much work as they've settled down, and it's not a commitment of a decade or more.
SoylentNews is social media. Says so right in the slogan. Soylentnews is people, not tech.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Reziac on Saturday August 15 2020, @03:02AM
A bigger problem is early cancer, along with a bunch of other health and behavioral issues that we seldom see in intact dogs.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Wednesday August 19 2020, @04:06AM (2 children)
You can put a leash on your dog. People look at you funny if you do this with your teenagers.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 3, Funny) by DannyB on Wednesday August 19 2020, @01:59PM (1 child)
It is difficult to find bird cages large enough to hold more than one child.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Wednesday August 19 2020, @11:20PM
But you can get a dog crate big enough for the entire family!
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.