Hi All

Haven't posted here for a long time but I have a question and would appreciate people's opinions.

Wilko is a dalmatian and will be 5 in September.  We have not had him castrated but have no plans to breed him. 

We have been told by several people including a vet that an uncastrated dog stands a higher chance of getting testicular cancer.  The age to have him castrated is by 5 apparently.  Is this true?

What is your opinion?

Many thanks

Just a little joke, but only dogs that haven't been castrated can get testicular cancer - you can't get cancer in something you haven't got!

That aside, the chances of an entire dog getting testicular cancer are quite small - about the same as for a man, apparently. Yes, it happens, and people are advise to check routinely, but it's not common.

Is there any other reason for castration? What's his personality like? At least if you do decide to castrate then you've left it until he's fully mature; dalmatians which are castrated too young are more likely to suffer urinary blockage from stones, but you won't be increasing his chances of that happening.

If it helps, my dalmatian boys are 8½ years and entire, and have had no problems (so far!) from being entire.

LOL at JG - pretty much my first thought

To OP, JG has the breed so clearly has been able to offer some valuable breed specific advice here - in general terms I'm not pro castration as a preventative measure.  IME its better to take the view of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" so if the only reason you're considering the castration route is as stated, I'd suggest you leave well alone

regards, Teri

I think some vets try to scare us into having our pets neutered, often with the best of intentions, but not always totally honest about the reasons why.

It's perfectly natural for dogs (and all animals) to have their 'bits'.  Would any of us have any part of us removed just to prevent a disease that we might never have?  I would say if you are worried ask your vet how to examine your boy so you know what to look out for. I know with men it's just a quick feel once a month, I'm sure it's the same for dogs.

>I think some vets try to scare us into having our pets neutered, often with the best of intentions, but not always totally honest about the reasons why.

I genuinely think they are being totally honest about the reasons - certainly that's what I've found with younger UK vets (my previous vets were middle aged to elderly and held much more open minded opinions on a wealth of topics - strange, but true LOL) so can only presume this is how they are currently taught therefore the recommendations they make to their clients   OTOH when having had consults or general chats with Aussie, NZ and SA vets I've found them to hold a *very* different view and be quite anti preventative measures relating to neutering.

Hi Jeangenie

D'oh!        What I think I meant is, how common is testicular cancer in dogs?  (now why couldn't I say that in my original post?)

Wils' personality is great although he can be hard work if he gets the scent of an in season bitch.  Nothing too serious just selective deafness and more likely to steal things!  He is always up for a cuddle and is fantastic with the cats.

There is no real reason for castration, Wils is great as he is.  Although my partner's eyes water when I mention castration!! 

Wilko did suffer from a spell of a urinary blockage last year.  We noticed that it was taking longer for him to go the loo than usual so took him round to the vets.  It hasn't happened since thank goodness, but we keep a close eye on the situation

How many dalmatians do you have Jeangenie?

Thanks for the info.

Thanks Teri

Thanks Lunamoona

Yes I did feel a little bullied at the vets so to speak.  They needn't have worried, I have no intentions of using him as a stud dog.  He is a big dalmatian and at the moment does not know what he is missing - I want to keep it that way!!

We have two dogs the Border is castrated due too only 1 testicle and he seems fine. My cocker has all his bits and he seems fine as well. We did have Jake castrated on the vets asvice but our vet has not suggested that we castrate Whistler at all.
We were advised that with one testicle he would be more prone to cancer, so my OH (its his dog) took the decision to do the nasty. If Whistler seems ok, does not get aggressive or hump the kids he can stay as he is.

Hi Whistler

Wilko isn't aggresive at all nor does he hump, so I am lucky really.

Thanks guys, looks like I'll leave him as he is!!!

>How many dalmatians do you have Jeangenie?

Only 3 now - a bitch aged 13 and the two dogs aged 8½. One of the boys had a total blackage about 18 months ago and required surgery, so I'm very keen to avoid that happening to other people's dogs too!

when i found a lump on my boy i just had him neuted to save time waiting for results etc.

the lump turned out to be a benine tumor but one a his litter brouthers has just deid because of testicular cancer so i did the right thing in the end.