I very much agree with the "it's your decision. your dog. your life" you know what is best.
The pros/cons of spaying/neutering have "One time at band camp.." stories on each side.
and each side (but especially the pro..) has a WEALTH of misinformation all over the place. and It's understandable, and I for one am kind of happy the consensus among regular pet owners is spaying/neutering is totally healthier/better because frankly.. erm.. peoples be dumb lol. and really, there are enough unwanted animals without MORE people walking around with un-altered pets and creating more.
List out the whys. list out the why nots. and make the choice..
I for one am waiting til 18 months on future dog, then spaying/neutering.
Here was my decision on deciding to s/n.. hope it helps!
THE PROS
-Being an avid lover of dog parks and other dog off leash places, it's a responsibility thing for me to have a dog that is s/n (no baby daddy dog park drama)
- Being a neat freak living in a studio apartment with white basically everything. heat cycles.. no fun.
- Most dog daycares, some dog training classes, dog sitters, etc.. require your dog to be spayed/neutered.
- Dog is less likely to be stolen, or if lost.. less likely someone will look at your dog and see dollar signs
- Baby daddy/baby mamma drama is no longer an issue. You can let your dog have playdates for how longer ever you wish without worrying about it.
- No more hearing the speech from your vet/everybody else about A. Pushing you to spay/neuter like the very idea that your dog is intact is KILLING some shelter dog or b. "Wanna breed your dog with my dog fluffy??"
- Bitches in heat can be annoying to deal with. Un-neutered males around females in heat can be annoying to deal with.
- For male dogs without hair.. you can see ball on them obviously lol which isn't a look many people appreciate lol
- If you plan on adopting a pet from a rescue. Having an intact dog will MOST LIKELY make them deny your application.
CONS
- It's part of your dogs body. It just doesn't sit well with me.. taking out organs for our convenience. What else do those organs do other than make babies? hormones? who knows..
- For spays especially it's quite a procedure.. the crate rest. the stitches. etc..
- The surgery itself. Going under..anestesia, price, vet time etc..
- No Breeding your dog in the future. Not that this is really the case for most people or a "maybe someday.." but I do know some people who buy pups from great breeders, neuter/spay, then the dog grows to be really a perfect example of the breed, rocks at a sport, has an amazing temperament, drive, show ring looks etc... the breeder is kicking themselves for placing the dog in a pet home, the owner is thinking "man I wish I could've bred him/her.."
- You can always choose to s/n later. You can never go back once you've done it.