Does Castrating A Dog Effect Working Ability ?

[shovel leaner 7,650]

Took my Russell dog to the vets yesturday because he was pissing a bit of blood . Turns out his prostate gland is enlarged and pressing on his bladder . He is a nightmare when there is a bitch about in season , yipping and barking and now the blood . The vet prescribed anti inflammatorys and antibiotics and suggests castration . He is a good little fox dog and very usefull to me . I'm not bothered about breeding with him and I know he will be putting on weight easily . Apart from that will it effect his drive and aggression ? I've had terriers a good few years and never had a dog done . My digging partner has no experience of it either but thinks it shouldn't do . I'm not convinced .

[trapliner 92]

Shouldn't do just retired my old Russell last year at ten year old had him for eight seasons had been castrated old lady that had him couldn't cope so I took him had dousens of foxes with him over the years was never any bother could kennel with bitches knowing no unwanted pups lives in house now life of Riley with kids.

[shovel leaner 7,650]

Shouldn't do just retired my old Russell last year at ten year old had him for eight seasons had been castrated old lady that had him couldn't cope so I took him had dousens of foxes with him over the years was never any bother could kennel with bitches knowing no unwanted pups lives in house now life of Riley with kids.

thats the sort of thing I want to hear . Don't want to be without him . But in tact he is a bloody nuisance when a bitch is about . And I am also thinking of his physical well being .

[jack44 187]

I've had my two Russell s done they're just for bit of bushing but they never gained any weight. One had mated a bitch when younger (not planned) and when there's one in heat around him he's still a prixk, but the other lad dosent pass any remarks

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

If theres a medical reason then i see the point but i personally wouldnt have a dog done on principal that i may want to use him.Ive had one dog that was on loan that was done and he was good but dont know anyone who does it matter of course .

The bitch in season thing can be a deal breaker though ,the constant singing would drive a saint to murder which is why i dont kennel any dogs here at home .

[shovel leaner 7,650]

If theres a medical reason then i see the point but i personally wouldnt have a dog done on principal that i may want to use him.Ive had one dog that was on loan that was done and he was good but dont know anyone who does it matter of course .

The bitch in season thing can be a deal breaker though ,the constant singing would drive a saint to murder which is why i dont kennel any dogs here at home .

its funny , I've spoken to a few lads and no one seems to have any experience of cut dogs , preferring to keep them like you said in tact . It sounds like it shouldn't make any difference to his work . I'm not bothered about using him on a bitch . There are a lot better dogs than him out there . But he is useful . I don't give him enough earth work to really test him . If I get 10 a season he has done well .

[Guest foxpack]

never bothered this dog 1 bit ,,had his nuts chopped at a early age ,

 

 

[Dawn B 212]

Consider the "Suprelorin" implant. It is exactly for enlarged prostate etc.. It will last either 6 or 12 months depending on the one you have. It does not have the undesirable side effects that castrating can. I have used it on a couple Terriers that I do not use at stud and its like they are never in season. It can be given repeatedly and it will also wear off if you need it to.
http://www.virbac.com.au/home/dog-cat-owners/common-health-issues/reproductive-control/reluctant-to-castrate-your-dog.html

[possumtrapper 46]

Personally, I'll never castrate a dog again, a bitch, yes, but not a dog...unless its due to health reasons such as cancer. Having a bitch done didn't effect her working abilities, in fact it prolonged it as she wasn't coming into season every 6mths. Had my Russell dog castrated after about 18mths, he was a right b*****d when a bitch was on heat, he'd park his arse outside the bitches kennel and whine all bloody day/night, did my head in. Anyway, after getting his nackers loped off, he started piling on the weight, had to constantly watch what he ate and his prey-drive was reduced, probably due to the lack of testotesterone in his blood. Just my observations and may not happen to other working dogs.

[Mooching Celt 659]

Not a terrier but i had a lurcher that suffered from an enlarged prostrate and had to be cut, no probs workwise but after chatting to the vet he said that a castrated male gives out bitch pheramones which did seem to be true as other dogs wouldn't leave him alone and kept trying to mount him to which he reacted with fire.......just something to possibly be aware of