Neutering your dog has health benefits as well as possible changes in behaviour benefits.
Bitches Spaying, as it is called, involves the ovaries and the uterus of the bitch being removed.
Major surgery like this always carries some possibility of complications, but in most instances this is very low.
Recovery of the bitch can take several days, whilst complete healing stretches over a period of weeks.
There is a difference of opinion when spaying should take place.
Some say as soon as the bitch reaches 9 months of age whilst others think the bitch needs to go through her first season.
The pros for the Bitch

• There will be no future problems of coming into season therefore no unwanted pregnancies.
  
• Reduced chances of behavioural changes when the bitch comes into season.
  
• The risk of uterine infection which, in the most serious cases, can threaten the life of the bitch.
  
• A dramatic reduction in the risk of mammary cancer especially if the operation is carried out on a young bitch.
  

The cons for the bitch

• Tends to put on weight.
  
• Can be a change in temperament, often becoming more docile which could be considered as an advantage in some instances.
  
• In later life the bitch may be more prone to urine incontinence.
  
• Slight risk that problems can occur within the skin wound which can cause serious bleeding.
  

Dogs Castration is the removal of the male testicles.
Sometimes the actual scrotum is removed as well.
Recovery is normally just a few days with the final stitches being removed in seven to ten days.
Castration is normally done when the dog reaches 9 months of age.
Pros for the dog

• Prostrate disease problems are removed in later life.
  
• Testicular tumors will not occur.
  
• Behaviour after the operation is less aggressive, especially towards other dogs.
  
• The desire to hump everything is much reduced.
  
• Less likely to want to stray in search of bitches.
  

Cons for the dog

• May be a likelihood of gaining some weight.
  
• Temperament changes - generally giving a much quieter and sedate dog in most instance but not all.
  

The best advice for both bitches and dogs is to neuter them unless you are planning to breed from them.
With millions of dogs taken to shelters every year and being put to sleep there is no possible reason why any owner would not want to have their dog spayed or castrated.
There are organisations that will help with the costs if that