Deciding whether or not to neuter your puppy can be a difficult decision.  Neutering your puppy can help to prevent the increasing number of unwanted dogs put down every year in New Zealand.

Neutering your puppy can lead to better overall health and a longer life. Unless there is a specific reason otherwise, it's always the responsible choice to neuter your pet.

Every year, thousands of unwanted dogs are put to sleep at shelters. Many of these are the result of accidental breeding by free-roaming, unneutered dogs. The more dogs neutered, the fewer will be destroyed.

Spaying females reduces the chances of developing breast cancer, as well as helping to eliminate the threat of uterine and ovarian cancer and uterine infection, all of which are common in unneutered females.

Unplanned pregnancy can also place your bitch at risk, for example, breeding with a mate whose pups will be too big for her to safely give birth. It also reduces the risks associated with abortions. Discuss the timing with your vet, as some prefer to neuter bitches before they have their first season. Spaying a bitch will also eliminate the problem of pesky stray males camping out in your garden when your dog is in heat!

Neutering a male dog will prevent testicular tumours and may reduce the risk of prostate problems. It decreases the possibility of perianal tumours and hernias, which are commonly observed in older, unneutered dogs.

Neutering males also reduces the aggressive impulses of your dog, removing the likelihood of injury due to fighting. Neutered males are also less likely to mark their territory or try to 'mate' with objects or people.

For male dogs, the operation involves removal of both testicles. For bitches, the removal of the womb and ovaries.

There is a long list of excuses for not neutering a puppy but in reality, the benefits far outweigh any disadvantages. Below are some common concerns:

• My dog will get fat and lazy

Neutering may diminish your puppy's natural tendency to wander, but will not affect overall activity levels. When dogs do gain weight after being spayed, it is usually attributed to a combination of overfeeding and inactivity when recovering from the operation.

• My dog's personality will change

This may be true but it is often for the better. Your pet will be less aggressive toward other animals, less likely to wander, and may have a better personality. Spraying (urine marking), which is often done to mark territory, diminishes or ceases.

• We can sell the puppies and make money

It is difficult to make money from raising purebred litters - even well-known breeders are fortunate if they break even. This is also dependent on getting a purebred bitch to a stud dog before she becomes pregnant to an unknown wanderer. The cost of raising such a litter, which includes stud fees, vaccinations and other health care costs, usually offsets most of the profit. Finding good homes for these puppies can be difficult and shelters are already crowded with unwanted dogs.

• I am concerned about my dog undergoing anaesthesia

The medical benefits of having your dog neutered far outweigh the slight risk involved with undergoing anaesthesia. Many modern veterinary procedures employ equipment that monitors heart and respiratory rates during surgery, so you don't have to worry. Neutering is a routine operation but consult your vet if you have any concerns.

Your vet will usually tell you to withhold food and water from your dog 12 hours before the operation. Most dogs go home the same day, though sometimes they might stay for slightly longer if they are still very sleepy.

After the operation, dogs should be confined to the house for a few days, kept quiet and prevented from jumping or biting at their sutures. Your vet will discuss post-operative care, including when the sutures will be removed.