By Pat Robidoux
We all love beagle puppies. They're adorable and will steal your heart instantly. But breeding beagles should be left to responsible breeders who have the experience and resources available to produce healthy litters.
If you have no intention of breeding your beagle, and your dog isn't show quality, then spaying and neutering should be seriously considered. The benefits far outweigh potential drawbacks.
Walk into an animal shelter and you'll see why altering your pet is so important. Shelters are seriously overcrowded with unwanted animals, and don't think those dogs are merely mixed breeds. Up to one-fourth of the dogs that find their way to various shelters are purebreds.
I was appalled to find a litter of five border collie pups sheltered at the Capital Humane Society in Lincoln, Neb. These four-week-old beauties were dumped with their mother, left to find for themselves at four weeks of age. Who could do such a thing? How could this possibly happen?
Fortunately these pups all found homes, but only because someone discovered them in time, before their health declined or they were ripped apart by predators. Healthy puppies are fairly easy to place, but what about the adult dog that is unable to adapt to a family setting and never adopted? Those dogs are destroyed, many the result of poor or unwanted breeding.
Altering your beagle normally results in better health and a longer life for your beloved companion. An altered pet is usually a better behaved pet as well.
Many people have misconceptions about spaying and neutering, and most are easily explained.
*My beagle will get fat and lazy.
Although it's true that beagles are predisposed to obesity, proper diet and exercise can keep weight problems under control. Don't think that unaltered beagles can't get fat. If they are beagles, they will eat. It's up to you to control calorie intake and establish a good exercise routine for your pet.
*My beagle will not be able to compete in AKC events.
It's true that altered dogs cannot compete in conformation, but they CAN and DO compete in obedience, field trials, agility and other competition. If you think your beagle is conformation quality, have that dog examined by a professional who can honestly evaluate the animal for you. We all love our dogs, but most are companion animals, no matter how cute.
*My beagle's personality will change.
It might, but that change should be for the better. Beagles have a tendency to roam, and altering can diminish that desire. Your pet should be less aggressive toward other animals after being altered. The tendency to mark territory should also decrease.
*My beagle will produce cute puppies that I can sell and make money.
Think again. Let's first assume that you have bred your healthy animal with another equally healthy beagle. The offspring will likely be sound, but are you ready for the costs? Consider stud fees, vaccinations, quality food and other vet costs will likely eat up most of the potential profits. Unless the offspring are championship quality, they may not bring a price that will offset all of the expenses. You are also putting your female at risk should she have difficulty in delivering the pups. And if you think that you'll get another dog like the ones you have bred, you'll be disappointed. Few offspring look exactly like one of their parents.
*My beagle might have complications during the procedure.
The risk of complications developing from a spay or neuter are usually less than those presented by birth for the female. Placing your beagle under anesthesia always involves a slight risk, but in general, the anesthetics used by veterinarians are quite safe. Your animal's vital signs are monitored during surgery to help ensure your dog is tolerating the anesthesia. The medical benefits still outweigh the slight risk of the surgery. If you have concerns about the spaying and neutering procedures, please consult your vet before proceeding.
*Spaying or neutering is expensive.
The cost of a spay or neuter without complications ranges from $30 to $95, depending on where you live and who does the procedure. Some organizations provide assistance for those needing help with the costs of spaying and neutering. Check with your vet or animal control in your city for specifics.
Now let's look at some of the benefits of spaying and neutering.
*Spaying or neutering increases your beagle's chances for a longer, healthier life.
FEMALES: Spaying your beagle prior to her first cycle reduces her chances of developing breast cancer. It also eliminates the threat of uterine and ovarian cancer.
MALES: Neutering your beagle prevents testicular tumors and can prevent prostrate problems. Since neutering decreases your dog's desire to roam, your beagle is less likely to contract diseases from unknown sources. The threat of disease from bites encountered by aggression toward another dog is greatly reduced.
*Your beagle will be a better family pet after it is altered.
FEMALES: You won't have to deal with the mess and inconvenience that comes with a female in heat. Males won't be howling at your back door, and your female will be able to go out in the yard without the threat of being impregnated. Best reason: You won't be saddled with a litter of unwanted pups.
MALES: Your male beagle will be less aggressive toward other males and will be less likely be distracted by females in heat. A neutered male will be less tempted to cross busy streets to find that mate, or mark his territory. His natural urges to mount unsuspecting guests should diminish. He will also respond better to obedience training, essential for gaining control of this sometimes stubborn and strong-willed breed.
*Your beagle won't be adding to the serious pet overpopulation problem.
Many of the dogs that end up at animal shelters were given up because they had behavioral problems. Sometimes this is the result of improper breeding. Other dogs are strays that were the products of accidental breeding by unaltered pets. If you walk into the adoption area of an animal shelter, the dogs you see are only a small fraction of those that have been turned in. The others were unsuitable for adoption because of aggression or health problems. They were humanely destroyed by injection and never seen by the public. More than five million cats and dogs are destroyed nationwide each year.
Any type of surgery can seem intimidating to a pet owner, but remember that thousands of pets are spayed and neutered each day. If you have concerns about the procedure, ask your veterinarian to explain the unlikely but possible risks. Each animal is different, so go with the advice of a vet that you trust. Naturally some animals can have hidden medical conditions that may pose additional risk.
Your pet will be asleep during the surgery, and the surgical team will closely monitor your dog. Neutering the male is relatively straight forward procedure. The male sexual organs are external, so the procedure is less invasive than the spaying of a female. Following the surgery, your pet may be kept overnight for observation.
Spaying is a little more involved because the sexual organs are internal, but the risk is still low. Following the surgery, your female will probably be kept at least overnight if not a little longer.
When your pet comes home, try to limit running and jumping or excessive play. Also watch for possible infection at the incision site and biting of the sutures. Call your vet if you notice any problems. Be sure you know what to look for before bringing your pet home. The majority of animals don't have problems with these procedures, but the more informed you are, the less stressful surgery will be for you.
I have received several e-mails from woman whose husbands were very much against neutering a male. This is not an uncommon emotional reaction. My husband put up a bit of resistance before Spencer was neutered. He feared castration would make Spencer less male. Not true. Perhaps the issue is simply sensitive because of the nature of the surgery. Our vet assured us that many men take the surgery "very personally."
I know I've provided you with a lot of information, but I urge you to consult with your veterinarian prior to proceeding with the surgery.
You may find that some breeders require you to enter into a spay/neuter contract before selling their dogs. What this contract usually involves is releasing the AKC registration papers only AFTER the new owner has written verification that the animal has been altered. Don't be offended by this contract. These breeders are working for the betterment of the breed.
I am a strong advocate of spaying and neutering. I only hope that I have explained why this is such an important part of responsible pet ownership.
©Copyright 1998, Patricia M. Robidoux. All rights reserved.
Sources for this article include information provided by the Capital Humane Society, Lincoln, Neb.; Animal Control of Lincoln-Lancaster County; the American Kennel Club, and ALPO Petfoods, Inc.
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All Regal Beagle Pages ©1996-2000 Patricia M. Robidoux. All rights reserved.
Page last revised June 23, 2000
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