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Bhe-Jei Maltese Raised
with Love
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Spaying and Neutering
There are many myths about canine reproductive needs. Chiefly among these are the suspicion that neutering turns a male into a sissy and spaying causes a female to get fat and to lament her lost capacity. The truth is that male dogs are better pets if they are neutered. They have less desire to roam, to mark territory, or to exert dominance over family members. They are also healthier pets: no testicles mean no testicular cancer, which is not uncommon among aging intact male dogs. Females are also better pets if they do not experience oestrus twice each year. Heat cycles bring hormonal changes that can lead to personality changes. Repeated heat cyles subject the reproductive system to uterine and mammary cancers and uterine infections. Some bitches experience false pregnancies that can be a bother to deal with. Maltese do not get fat simply as a result of sterilization surgery. They gain weight if they eat too much and exercise too little. Weight gain that seems to follow spay or neuter surgery is most likely a result of continuing to feed a high energy diet to a dog that is reducing his need for energy as he reaches his adult size. Excess energy in the food becomes excess fat on the body. Maltese owners who decide not to spay their females and neuter their males certainly have the right to make that decision. However, they bear a responsibility to prevent their intact pets from adding to the population of pets that wind up in animal shelters. If there is a pregnancy, provide the best nutrition and vet care for the bitch and the puppies and carefully place the pups in good homes. Be prepared to deal with a problem pregnancy or delivery, to provide training and behavior information to puppy buyers, and to take back or help place any puppy that doesn't work in its original home.
This web page was designed by
Bobbie Linden and is
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Shown With Pride
