To sterilize or not to sterilize - that's the question.

That's a tough one. Pure bred Golden Retrievers are very hard to find in Kuwait and many people ask me if I am interested to breed - not anymore.


Even though it's a routine procedure in most of the veterinary hospitals, I read a lot about neutering "King" (my Golden Retriever) before going ahead with the decision to do it.


Here's why I did it:

1. Neutering offers 100% protection against testicular tumors and partial protection against prostate disease and perianal tumors, both of which are stimulated by testosterone
2. Marking: Unneutered Golden Retrievers spray their urine on vertical objects so that other males can smell it -- it's a way of marking territory. Marking can become an obsession with some unneutered males, who will tow you toward every fire hydrant and telephone pole. 
3. Fighting: Unneutered Golden Retrievers are more likely to pick fights with other unneutered males. Even if your OWN male isn't inclined to do this, dog aggression is still a potential problem because an unneutered Golden is more likely to be attacked by other males because he's a potential rival. 
4. Sexual arousal: The signs of sexual arousal can be embarrassing in mixed company. Unneutered males often lick their genitals and hump other dogs, pillows, stuffed animals, and sometimes people's ankles. 
5. Distractibility: The eyeballs of unneutered males tend to rove up and down the street looking for females or potential male rivals -- rather than focusing on YOU. 
6. Distress around females in heat: Females in heat give off chemical pheromones that can be scented from a mile away. Unneutered males can become extremely agitated - whining, drooling, pacing, sometimes escaping their house or yard. 
7. Dominance: Unneutered Golden Retrievers are more likely to challenge you because their increased testosterone goads them into resisting and challenging authority.

I do not regret doing it AND I also do not advise anyone to do it for his/her pet unless they are 100%. I did King's surgery at AlRai Veterinary Hospital for just KD60. He needed 6 days to recover and get back to normal.

Read more about the surgery's disadvantages here and here.