Did you know that neutering has health benefits for your pet?
If you're the proud owner of a female puppy, you'll be interested to hear that spaying can reduce her chances of developing breast cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer. It also lessens the likelihood of uterine infection. All that, plus you'll avoid the risks associated with an unplanned pregnancy!
If you have a male puppy, you should know that neutering will prevent testicular tumours and may prevent prostate problems. It also reduces the possibility of perennial tumours and hernias.
Some vets prefer to neuter females (Bitches) before their first heat cycle, but others don't. For male dogs, the timing is less specific, so it's best to talk to your vet for their recommendations.
The obvious benefit of you and your family having your puppy neutered is that you'll never have to deal with unwanted litters. But there are other advantages too. Males neutered early in life are less aggressive, less distracted by females in heat, less likely to mark their territory with urine and less likely to mount the furniture or your leg!
Spaying a female puppy will stop stray males from camping in your garden and decrease her desire to roam and breed.
Tragically, thousands of dogs are euthanasied in Australia and New Zealand every year. Many of these are the result of accidental breeding by free-roaming, unneutered dogs. By neutering your puppy, you will know that you won't be adding to this problem.