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To Castrate Or Not To Castrate?
Hector, in dog terms, is living the dream. He’s a permanent resident at the House of Mutt - and consequently spends his days leading expeditions around the Old Rectory’s six acres of Suffolk countryside, lounging in front of the Rayburn in the 30’ foot kitchen, and generally playing pack leader to whatever collection of mutts and mutt-lets happen to be visiting at the time.
The only downside to his position is this column – now to be written monthly – which may, will, threaten his privacy, rights and probably dignity. Whilst not pertaining to be written by him (why would you?), it will largely be written about him. His life, his pack, his health and his habits...
Talking of which, balls.
To castrate or not to castrate is a question I’m often asked. The vast majority of dogs that come here are either spayed (girls) or neutered (boys) – they are London dogs and, for dogs at least, sex doesn’t feature highly when you live in town. I agree with Cesar Millan and a whole host of animal behavioural experts that if you’re not allowed to use your sexual bits, parts and ends then life is immeasurably easier without them.
Easier and, by and large, healthier. On the disease front, testicular cancer is just one of the dangers avoided when there’s no testicle, and on the day-to-day front, life without testosterone is always going to be less fraught than when the urge to promulgate, proliferate and pontificate is coursing through veins and advocating war.
There are however, some exceptions.
Stud dogs, obviously. And what about the entire (ie uncastrated) dog who displays no aggression towards other dogs, who doesn’t feel the need to mark territory, who displays no active interest in bitches in season, and who listens to his master’s voice over and above the mutter of his nuts? In other words, what about Hector?
Hector has never been castrated because there was always the possibility of fatherhood. He’s a smart-looking dog and we’ve often been asked if he can be loaned out for ‘the weekend’. But he’s now eight and, frankly, last time out, he didn’t seem very interested in the concept. There was much bouncing but no ‘bonding’.
So all that’s standing now between Hector and the vet’s scalpel is my husband, a vet, and his argument - ‘why meddle when there’s no need?’
I’m suspicious that part of his reticence may just be the natural disinclination of a male to castrate another male. (It does go against the grain a bit – in fact I’d be interested to know if other households face similar wife (‘Off!’), husband (‘On!’) debates in their homes?). But his more rational argument centres around Hector’s self-appointed role as Pack Leader at the House of Mutt.
Hector currently sets the tone of the place, he is a complete pacifist yet visiting muttlets respect him and look to him for guidance. He is their leader and us humans are his, so the balance works incredibly well. Will meddling with his hormones affect that? Without a hearty dose of testosterone would he lapse into not caring for his flock, and thereby leave a breach for a less stable dog to step up to the leadership mark?
Earlier today we took the dogs to Harling Woods for their customary hour and a half of unfettered joy and gay abandon. Hector, happy, gambolling and watching his flock as is his wont, was jumped on by a passing male dog clearly out for a scrap. I think he was singled out because he’s big, blond, muscular and (outwardly at least) very alpha male. He didn’t answer back, but I did and the dog beat a hasty retreat.
The husband’s argument is I think persuasive. Why meddle with what works?
Castration is, I still feel, the best option for 99% of male, domesticated dogs who are not destined for breeding duties. But every rule surely has to have its exceptions and perhaps old Golden Balls, Hector@theHouseofMutt is the exception to this one.
So, for now, peace reigns and the scalpel is put away. Hector continues to gather, herd, protect and guide, and my husband has won the day.
Welcome to the House of Mutt. Welcome to Hector. We’d love to hear your views....
Notes:
Sarah Mountford is not a vet and writes her opinions only.
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