As we discussed in the conversation, you are at home thinking about castration or not of XX (dog's name.)

Castration of a male dog is not an operation that is carried out automatically as much today as it was a few ears back. Most often it is various unwanted behavioral characteristics of the entire male dog which starts the discussions about castration. Some positive characteristics of castrated dogs can be:  

- May stop sexual behaviors

- May be easier to get along with and train.

- May not stray so much.

- it may be less aggressive towards other dogs and/or humans.

- it may be more calm and focused when bitches are in heat.

- there may be an entire bitch at home which makes it difficult to also have a entire male around. 

From a medical point, entire male dogs are more likely to suffer from benign hyperplasia of the prostate gland as well as testicular cancer. The risk of severe testicular cancer which cannot be treated is relatively low and the treatment for both benign prostate hyperplasia and testicular cancer is to have the dog castrated.  On the other hand, castrated male dogs are more likely to become overweight and if this is allowed to happen then the dog will be more likely to develop arthritis later in life. 

Whether castration is a good solution for your particular dog - depends on the above considerations, your personal circumstances as well as factors such as the dogs age, breed, body weight and temperament.  

Where possible dogs should not be castrated before their skeleton is mature, this usually occurs around 12 months of age or 18m in larger breeds.

There is a risk of increased fear and anxiety in an already insecure male dog - and exactly how your dog reacts may be impossible to assess in advance. Therefore, you and your vet may decide to start with a reversible medical  castration before any surgical castration is carried out.

An implant applied by your vet will make your dog behave as if castrated for 6-12m. This will give you and your vet  the opportunity to assess whether your dog is suitable for surgical castration.

- If after implantation see see mainly negative effects, e.g. fear, insecurity, aggression, weight gain, coat problems - you may decide that permanent castration is not suitable.

- If there are predominantly positive effects after implantation you may decide to make the changes permanent with a surgical castration.