For me, I will always spay/neuter my animals unless they are to be shown in the ring. IMHO, I think the benefits far outweigh the risks. Do you know how many "oops" litters you hear about? They are sooooo prevelant in the US, it's not even funny. That is the number one reason to spay and neuter your pets. That is why there is such a push in this country to get your pets spayed/neutered.
I dont' think anyone can say they can w/o a doubt, be 100% sure they can keep their intact pets from other intact pets, whether it be their own pets, or someone elses. You hear all the time of breeders having oops litters and they know what they are doing (hopefully).
I have had both Keiko and Gunther fixed at 6 mo old. Keiko started showing signs of incontenance around 5 yrs of age. We put her on meds for 2 yrs, then took her off and other than occasional very light leakage (not noticable unless you push on her stomach) we've had no problems. All she needs is to go out once more during the day than the others. Both she and Gunther have perfectly fine joints (other than some arthritis for Keiko, but she is 10 yrs old), no problems with either of their hips.
Nigel and Posey are not fixed. And if I had it my way, they would be. If my friend doesn't get on the ball soon with helping get their paperwork together I will say screw showing them and fix them both. It is a big PITA to have two intact animals of opposite sexes. I couldn't imagine having all 4 intact.
Having to keep an eagle eye on Posey when she is in heat, not to mention having to deal with the bleeding is very stressful. Nigel has marking issues which is very commen with intact males. His is due to separation anxiety but I would rather not have to deal with it.
And I hope you don't want to socialize you intact animals much. Both intact males and females often have problems with animals of the same sex as they are. I know Nigel often challenges (or pretends to) other dogs. He is mostly bluffing but some dogs aren't. And God forbid there is a female in heat in the neighborhood. Your male will go nuts. I already had that problem at the dog park. There must have been a female in heat either at the dog park recently or in the neighborhood. Nigel was humping dogs left and right and had to stay on leash most of the time there.
And intact males are just as likely to get testicular cancer as females to get breast cancer.
I have no problem with someone waiting to get their dog fixed. 6 mo, 12 mo, 18 mo, whatever. But animals don't make the choice to breed or not to breed. Instinct takes over. And for me, that alone is enough of an incentive to spay/neuter.
