Myths and facts about spaying and neutering

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MYTH: My dog will get fat and lazy.

FACT: The only way your dog will get fat and lazy is if you do not provide enough exercise and feed him too much.

MYTH: It's better for my dog to have one litter before I spay her.

FACT: Medical evidence has shown that a dog who is spayed before her first heat cycle is typically healthier than dogs spayed after the first heat cycle or after having a litter of puppies. Most animal shelters and adoption facilities, as well as many veterinarians, now sterilize dogs as young as eight weeks of age. You should consult your veterinarian about the appropriate time to spay or neuter your dog.

MYTH: Children should experience the miracle of birth.

FACT: The likelihood of a child actually seeing a dog give birth is slim. Most births occur at night and in a secluded area. The only lesson the child learns is that dogs can be created and discarded as humans see fit. The real miracle your child should experience is the knowledge that by preventing your dog from having babies, you are potentially saving the lives of hundreds of other dogs.

MYTH: My dog is a purebred.

FACT: At least one out of every four dogs turned in to animal shelters around the country are purebred. There are just too many dogs bred, both mixed breed and purebred.

MYTH: My dog will not be protective if I neuter him.

FACT: A dog's natural instinct to protect his home and family is not affected by spaying or neutering. A dog's personality owes much more to genetics and environment than sex hormones.

MYTH: I don't want my male dog to feel like less of a male.

FACT: Dogs have no concept of sexual identity or ego and neutering does not change a dog's basic personality. He doesn't suffer in any way when neutered.

MYTH: My dog is so special; I want a puppy just like her.

FACT: A professional dog breeder, whose bloodlines stretch back for generations, has no guarantee of getting a particular characteristic from a litter. The dog owner's chances are even slimmer. In fact, a whole litter of puppies might wind up getting only the worst characteristics of your pet dog and her mate.

MYTH: Spaying and neutering is too expensive.

FACT: The cost of spaying  [Continued]

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