Many owners of pets won't neuter their male dogs. Some transfer their emotions about the process onto their dogs, and decide that it's a wicked and weird punishment. But most avoid neutering their dogs because they've heard one or more of the many misapprehensions about neutering. Despite all these rumors and fables, neutering is a responsible procedure that will not harm the healthiness of your dog. Here are some of the misconceptions that keep owners from neutering their dogs.

Your dog will not become depressed for absence of sex. Dogs and humans have completely different feelings about sex. In contrast to what some folks believe, they will not miss the romance or intimacy. As much as some people seem to think otherwise, dogs are animals, and their drive for sex is only instinct. Not having sex will not harm, or depress, your dog.

Your dog won't turn effeminate, nor will he become feeble. Neutering doesn't affect a dog's physical capabilities or strength. In fact, the sexual instinct that perturbs some dogs will be removed by neutering. Neutering can correct many behavioral issues cause by the sex instinct in some dogs, especially in households with one or more pets and in a household with female dogs as well as folks.

If your dog barks at people now, it'll still do so if it is neutered. The idea that a neutered dog won't make a good guard dog is ridiculous. It's a clear case of humans passing off misguided beliefs about masculinity and strength onto dogs. Give it some thought: would a dog that is's sterile from birth become less of a dog?

Neutering is a sound and loving thing for a pet owner to have done. Many folks use the discussion that neutering an animal is warped. But if you heed that to its logical conclusion, then having a dog as a pet isn't natural either. Dogs used to be wild pack animals, so humans keeping a dog and providing for all its care is just as unnatural. Look at it from another perspective. Your dog depends on you to look after it. You feed it, pet it, and take it to the vet when necessary. Neutering your dog can protect it. A male dog may run away from its owner simply to reach a female in heat, which may lead to the dog getting lost or having an accident. With females around, male dogs act more mealy. The dangers are eliminated when your dog is neutered.

Your dog won't cease being active, nor will it get fat. If you do not overfeed your dog and neglect to take him for walks, your dog can't all of a sudden bloat up after being neutered. This misconception can be attributed to the owner's actions and not the procedure. Just be sure to feed your dog the proper amount of food, and make sure he is getting plenty of exercise.