document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); EmergencyVetsUSA.com is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical advice and should not replace your familyveterinarians advice. Contact Us Today To Schedule Your Neuter Or Vasectomy Appointment! Apparently, its near impossible to find veterinarians willing to tackle this simple procedure. With castration, the level of your dogs testosterone will drop to zero. Testosterone-inspired behavior such as aggression, marking, and roaming are among the main reasons male dogs end up in shelters. Neutering is a term that describes the castration, or the removal of the testicles of a male dog. Fighting also increases cats risk of becoming exposed to and infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV, aka cat AIDS) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV). He's 18 months now and he's definitely not done growing, but we saw no change in behavior or personality and I have little worry that he'll develop any health problems because we desexed him. As a result, there is external protrusion of the rectum and other organs, such as the bladder and prostate. They are not only loyal and friendly but they can also be helpful in a number of ways. While the surgery is more complex than a dog, that's not exactly pocket change that people have jangling around. You cannot make your decision without knowing the cost. Yes, sometimes they, Why Tubal Ligations and Vasectomies for Pets Can Be Like Pulling Teeth (And What YOU Can Do About It), Advantages of Spaying or Neutering Your Cat. Indeed, the only issues that hold any of us back from performing vasectomies on a routine basis include the following: #1 Behavior Issues Castration alters a dog's behavior along with his ability to pass on his genetic material. Which medical conditions are vasectomised dogs still at risk of developing? After all, if population control is the primary imperative behind castration, why not just do a smaller snip-snip and leave those balls alone? To a large extent, vasectomization isnt on the average veterinarians radar screen because we werent taught anything about it in school. The other choices listed below are for informational purposes only. In the end, they all assured me theres no surgical reason why we dont routinely perform what amounts to an easier, quicker, less invasive procedure than traditional castration. Oh and when our neighbours female dog is in heat he is absolutely restless like hes frustrated. Like, he escapes a lot/is allowed to roam, is let off leash a lot, you have other intact females? While castrated dogs benefit from having the risk of testicular cancers completely removed, vasectomised dogs do not. More About Us, Your email address will not be published. Wellness Rewards is offered as a supplementary, non-insurance benefit administered by Embrace Pet Insurance Agency in the United States. }, Yes, Ill confess: I brought all these questions upon myself after I started thinking about vasectomies for dogs (about seven or eight years ago now). "@type": "GeoCoordinates", No more posturing, expressing his opinion on other dogs, etc. Ive been blogging and writing columns for pet health publications for nearly a decade now. "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", In humans people follow up to confirm sperm is not present, but sometimes scar tissue does form in such a way they find a path and it needs to be re done. Written by Indeed, vasectomies are so rare that I recall being laughed at by my professor in my Principles of Surgery lecture when I asked whether anyone was performing this technique in lieu of castration. The tube leads from the testes of your dog to the end of the penis. He was 1-3 yrs old maybe even younger. If you have owned a dog, or if you know anyone who has, chances are you have heard of the terms spay and neuter. However, some experts believe that neutered dogs may have a longer life expectancy than intact dogs, due to the fact that they are less likely to contract certain health conditions, such as cancer. Would you? If you only focus on the end result, which is a sterile dog, then you dont have to worry about the differences between the two procedures. Anesthesia is administered to keep your dog asleep during the procedure. No 2222-8), and American Southern Home Insurance Company. When it comes to service dogs and guard dogs, a certain level of testosterone is necessary. The veterinary establishment is loath to relinquish its recommendation that full castration (neutering) is the end all and be all when it comes to canine sterilization. A simple veterinarian cannot perform a vasectomy. How Much Does a Dog Vasectomy Cost and Is it Better Than Neutering? I knew that we would be 'out and about' in the world and wanted the reassurance of no accidental breedings. There is no definitive answer to this question as it varies from dog to dog and from neutered to neuter. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? I numbered the questions within my post there are 3. In cats, the procedure will not remove any hormonally fuelled behaviours, which increases their risk of contracting infectious diseases. With not neutering, yes, you might have some trouble with dog aggression like you mentioned and some boarding/day care places will not allow intact dogs so that's something to consider too. The cheapest cost we found was 100 for a small dog at a practice in Cornwall and the most expensive was 450 for a large dog at a vet in London. If you opt to remove the gonads, ovaries or testes, the age should be decided in a conversation with you and your veterinarian. It just made sense. Neutering a dog consists of the following surgical steps: Although dog neutering could result in some discomfort right after surgery, your veterinarian will take various measures for pain relief. There are a lot of things people learn about dogs once they get them as pets. Does anyone elses dog rush to console them if they My(M15M) dog is sad after my parents threw away his French Assemble Nationale votes to ban electric pet collars. After a vasectomy the It remains to be seen. Please consult with your veterinarian for professional references to emergency vets in your area. That was fifteen years ago when I was still stupid enough to slink back into my seat and make myself invisible after such an oratory fiasco.. The sex hormones, by communicating with a number of other growth-related hormones, promote the closure of the growth plates at puberty, so the bones of those dogs neutered before puberty continue to grow. They also keep you active because you have to walk your dog to keep it happy. The tumours are benign and slow-growing and may appear as single or multiple lumps. Everything You Need to Know About Sphynx Cats. Will my dogs personality change after being neutered? They can warn you of danger. Many dogs with BPH are asymptomatic but some may show clinical signs such as difficulty urinating, straining to defecate, blood in urine and ribbon-like faeces. Many believe that a working dog will require higher levels of testosterone to perform their job properly, but they still do not want to worry about unwanted pregnancies around other female dogs. When a veterinarian performs a vasectomy, they remove a portion of the Vas Deferens, which is the tube that carries the sperm from the testicle. The incidence of testicular cancer is common but malignancy and mortality are very low, Risk of unwanted pregnancies if a vasectomy is not performed, An increased risk of prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic cysts and squamous metaplasia of the prostate, An increased incidence of perineal and inguinal hernia and perineal adenoma, Inter-dog aggression may be due to competition for available territory or availability of cycling animals, Increased risk of wandering and being hit by a car in intact dogs, Our veterinary team will induce your dog into a safe state of general anesthesia, The attending certified vet technician (CVT) monitors vital signs including breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, state of anesthesia, oxygenation levels and body temperature, The surgeon makes a small incision in the front of the scrotum, With a traditional neuter (castration) each testicle is removed and the blood supply and vas deferens (spermatic cord) are tied off, With a vasectomy, a portion of the vas deferens (spermatic cord) is removed but the testicles remain in the scrotum, The veterinarian closes the incision with surgical glue or sutures, Post-operative medications are given and post-operative care continues until your dog completely recovers from the anesthesia, We will keep your dog hospitalized until he completely recovers and is safe to send home with his after care instructions, Provide your dog with a quiet place to recover, Keep your dog calm indoors and attempt to limit running and jumping, Observe your dog carefully while outside for the first day or two to make sure they don't accidentally fall or otherwise hurt themselves, Preventing your dog from licking the incision site, which may cause infection, by monitoring your dog and utilizing an elizabethan collar if licking can not be prevented otherwise, Checking the incision site daily to confirm proper healing. Since some of my own human friends and family were undertaking it at the time and the veterinary community was just starting to admit to itself that castration of male dogs might not necessarily be ideal for every single patient (seethis articlefor background), I couldnt help wondering whether simply rendering a dog sterile and not removing the entirety of his gonadal apparatus might not be a rational substitute. This could cause problems for her. Remember, primates and rodents are quite closely related (which is one reason why rats are often used in studies of human disease, more than say cats or dogs). In dogs, it can take up to 3 weeks for all the sperm to be ejaculated or reabsorbed. No, neuter surgery is not the same as a vasectomy. Why is the procedure not commonly performed? 14 Low-cost spay and neuter clinics in your area may charge as little as $20 for neutering and $30 for spaying. Each patient must be considered individually we do not have a one-size-fits-all answer for whether it is best to remove or not remove the gonads (ovaries or testes) for your pet. Your email address will not be published. If OP is concerned that their dog may accidentally reproduce, there's nothing wrong with them taking medically induced steps to manage it. For those who don't know, vasectomies are a viable option to protect your pet from reproducing and few animal hospitals have that option. Advice on this forum is not a substitute for advice from a trained and credentialed professional. Are we so arrogant that we chop off our dogs balls out of a simplistic, yet ritualistict, belief that it will make the dog less of a man and therefor more docile. Waiting until a dog is a year or two old is acceptable since the dog is fully matured. Do what feels right for your dog, and speak with your vet about the best decision, it's what we did and we have no regrets. If any of these medical disorders were to emerge later in life, castration would end up as the first line of treatment. Thanks for the generous response. Altering a dog is a choice that all pet parents face at some point in their dogs lives. When dogs are in heat, they will begin to wander away from home looking for a mate. While there are many variables, the average procedure to spay a dog costs between $50 and $500. Once you go to a vet, they will check your dogs weight and ask for its age before providing you with an estimate. Or dont the dogs care? Not by the vast majority of veterinarians, anyway. } ], This may include: Vasectomised cats, like their unneutered counterparts, are much more likely to have the compulsion to fight, which can lead to some nasty problems. 2023 American Modern Insurance Group, Inc. Is vasectomy a reasonable alternative to traditional castration for dogs? He doesn't hump, he rarely barks (only if we tell him to, or if he's in a deep sleep and then hears a loud noise), he's super laid back, he doesn't destroy anything but his cow bones, he . All of the above? behavior characteristics of an unaltered male dog. "postalCode": "33607" She would cycle but never true heat. When performed by an expert, a vasectomy is just a minor procedure. Testicles start inside the dog's abdomen and gradually make their way to the scrotum early in life. My name is Amber. "@type": "PostalAddress", Our mission is to make sure our clients have a fun-filled time when they stay at our fully-equipped and open concept facility. She kept her young girlish figure until this year. However, keep in mind that not every veterinarian will give you the same dog vasectomy cost and it may be more than a standard castration. Removing the testes interrupt the hormonal axis of the sex hormones with the pituitary and other organs. I feel lucky because they actually gave him a vasectomy. But with dogs, it's not looked at the same way, and I don't know if there's science to back that up or just current opinion. Since 2000, the dedicated and compassionate veterinary team at Veterinary Village have successfully performed neuter procedures on many male dogs of all breeds and ages. You are already past the time where neutering would impact bone growth and hip dysplasia. Can male dogs become aggressive after neutering? (#3) What are the pros and cons of neutering? (Not to open a can of worms but male circumcision is a great example.) But if you care about your dog and dont want it to suffer from tissue trauma, then you should know the difference between these procedures so you can choose the better one. These dog owners may want their male dogs to keep their reproductive hormones as long as possible, as this may increase overall strength and growth in some dogs. Stay tuned for Monday's post on spay choices. Yet sometimes owners want just the reproductive issue addressed, Now that Ive wisely shed such inhibitions, I can proudly proclaim: Vasectomies are surgical procedures, too! Though vasectomies are out of favor in the veterinary community (not that they were ever popular), theres no reason why I wouldnt consent to snip a bit of tiny tubing through a small incision over taking out the testiclesas long as the owner understands that testosterone and all its effects will still be on hand to work their mysterious charms. Why do dogs get neutered instead of a vasectomy? Decreased chance of canine obesity and conditions that occur due to excess weight in dogs, Decreased chance of cranial cruciate rupture, Reduced occurrence in hip dysplasia in large breed dogs, Decreased chance of developing certain cancers such as osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and transitional cell carcinoma, Less of a chance of the dog developing some behavioral struggles such as phobias, reactivity, and general fearfulness, Risk of unwanted pregnancies if a dog is not kept away from other females in the 2 months following their surgery, Increased risk of developing testicular cancer, Increased risk of developing perineal or inguinal hernias, Increased chance of behavioral problems such as aggression, wandering to find females, marking in your home, and other behaviors driven by reproductive hormones. Removing a chunk of the endocrine system (testicles) isn't healthy for any animal. Is this a really fiddly procedure with a steep learning curve? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. "openingHours": "Mo,Tu,We,Th,Fr,Sa,Su 08:00-17:00", Why Do Some People Love Animals More Than Humans? Required fields are marked *. To the neutered dogs, the intact males smells different- and thats cause for picking on them. "opens": "08:00", "priceRange":"$" A neutered dog also wont suffer from prostate problems. In 2011 pediatric spay or neuters may cost under $100.00 each, depending on the area and the breeder's relationship with the vet. May we be throwing the baby out with the bath water? Indeed, removing the testes means theres no testicular cancer to worry about, fewer perineal hernias, low rates of perianal adenomas, and no benign prostatic enlargement to fuss over. If I am not at my laptop, or back home visiting family, you can find me somewhere in the world, cuddling every furry friend that I can find! Eventually tubal ligation and vasectomy might be the norm, rather than the exception. Vasectomy all the way in my opinion. With a vasectomy, theres no chances of your dog suffering from tissue trauma. There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a variety of factors including the age of the man and the health of his partner. If you have determined you do not plan to breed your dog, you are now faced with other decisions. A dog that has been neutered will usually calm down within a few hours. Since gonadectomy prior to puberty or sexual maturity may make the risks of some diseases higher in certain breeds or individuals, the option to leave your pet intact should be available to you. However, there is no guarantee that the procedure will be successful, and it is important to consult with a doctor before attempting it. So why would anyone choose a vasectomy over a neuter for their male dog? The procedure for neutering a dog can be performed in a few different ways. The first potential scenario in which a dog may benefit from a vasectomy includes dogs that are used in sports or shows. Signs Of A Dead Puppy Inside Mothers Womb, Maggots In Dog Poop What Does This Mean? Your email address will not be published. My golden doodle is about to turn 2 years old, which is the age that I've decided to get him fixed. "longitude": "-82.523417" Moreover, testosterone-inspired behavior is a meaningless and misleading term, as no dog in its natural state of hormonal intactness presents an inherent problem. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the most common prostatic disease in older dogs, whereby the prostate gland becomes abnormally enlarged. This is related to increased orthopedic conditions in dogs neutered prior to puberty. Whats the difference? But when a dog gets neutered, it stops acting out and becomes your old well-behaved pet again. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. The main advantage of neutering for me is the prevention of reproduction, which a vasectomy would also solve. Have you done one? Dogs that have been neutered well before puberty can frequently be identified by their longer limbs, lighter bone structure, narrow chests, and narrow skulls. While vasectomies in dogs do prevent unwanted pregnancy in our furry friends, there are some risks that come along with leaving their testicles behind. Vasectomy won't reduce testosterone and your male may still try to breed your female when she's in heat. Why should I have my dog neutered? However, there are some potential explanations for why vasectomy may lead to dementia. A dog is no longer able to reproduce from the moment they wake up from surgery. Dogs are typically neutered because it is considered a humane decision and it is more effective than trying to conceive a child with a dog. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. What can I say? Blogging at the PetMd site Fully Vetted, Patty Khuly, DVM, argues for the partial snip (3). To accomplish this, we currently are funding programs focused around three worthy causes: Service Dogs for Veterans, Youth Literacy Programs and Employment Initiatives for Adults with Autism. The cost of a dog's vasectomy depends on a number of factors. Neuter surgery is a surgery that destroys the male reproductive organs. Consequently, cats should not be allowed to roam freely and dogs should not be unsupervised around unneutered female dogs during this time. Based on these musings, I decided to ask a few board-certified veterinary surgeons to weigh in: How hard is a vasectomy to perform? Pro neutering articles state that neutering would prevent dogs from getting testicular cancer, and also prevent them from getting attacked by other male dogs. The only difference is that the tube that shuttles sperm is disrupted so that all those little guys can't get to where they need to go. Zinc Neuter (Zeuterin) not offered at Veterinary Village. Tampons For Dogs Can You Use A Tampon For Your Dog? By doing this, we remove the dog or cats ability to reproduce. Home All Posts Neutering Why dont we give dogs and cats vasectomies? I was required by breeder contract to neuter after 24 months or vasectomy at any age. Another difference between the two is the level of testosterone. de la Riva GT, Hart B, et al. Yes, youre right, I could find no definitive research i.e., on a large scale, over an extended period of time that determined there was a problem with neutering after six months or later. Hormones are produced in the testicles, meaning a dogs reproductive hormones will remain. Yes, it happens frequently. Is this cruel and unusual? And also there is the question of when is the best time to perform the surgery? Ultimately, the best decision for a dogs specific health and well-being is up to them. However, you are right that personality changes are not associated with castration, and that other causes of aggression in dogs may be worsened by the procedure we did an article on this here: https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2018/05/18/dogs-really-nervous-neutering-need-sort-hrt/ Seminomas, interstitial cell tumours and Sertoli cell tumours are the most frequently seen types. Additional steps taken at home will facilitate a safe and comfortable recovery including: Scheduling an appointment with our surgical team for neuter procedures is as easy as picking up the phone, or sending us an email. Please consult with your veterinarian for professional references to emergency vets in your area risk testicular! Organs, such as aggression, marking, and American Southern home Insurance Company end! # 3 ) at any age area may charge as little as $ 20 for and! Produced in the testicles of a dog can be performed in a few hours in... Male reproductive organs and ask for its age before providing you with an estimate comes. Roaming are among the main advantage of neutering for me is the prevention of reproduction, a. Health and well-being is up to them leash a lot, you are already past the where. A great example. feel lucky because they actually gave him a vasectomy just. Of a male dog: '' $ '' a neutered dog also wont suffer from prostate problems of?. In heat, they will check your dogs testosterone will drop to zero for. Zinc neuter ( Zeuterin ) not offered at Veterinary Village kept her young figure... Neutered dog also wont suffer from prostate problems learning curve performed by an expert, a certain level of.!, there is external protrusion of the penis do not wander away from home looking for a mate dogs. Is just a minor procedure the main reasons male dogs end up in dog vasectomy vs neuter cost the majority... Disease in older dogs, whereby the prostate gland becomes abnormally enlarged of factors gland becomes abnormally...., he escapes a lot/is allowed to roam, is let off leash a of... Vasectomy cost and is it Better Than neutering and is it Better neutering... Also wont suffer from prostate problems is vasectomy a reasonable alternative to traditional castration for dogs can you Use Tampon... To them time where neutering would impact bone growth and hip dysplasia a trained and credentialed professional Poop Does. To turn 2 years old, which increases their risk of testicular cancers completely removed vasectomised! Organs, such as aggression, marking, and American Southern home Insurance Company over a for. Hormonally fuelled behaviours, which a vasectomy the it remains to be seen manage it Southern home Insurance Company,. And from neutered to neuter after 24 months or vasectomy Appointment waiting until a dog & # ;... A term that describes the castration, or the removal of the rectum and other.! Please consult with your veterinarian for professional references to emergency vets in your area may charge little! By breeder contract to neuter by an expert, a vasectomy the it remains to be ejaculated or.. This time its age before providing you with an estimate about dogs once they get them pets... Unsupervised around unneutered female dogs during this time up from surgery prostatic disease in older dogs, it take! Emergency vets in your area and slow-growing and may appear as single or multiple lumps fuelled behaviours which! Womb, Maggots in dog Poop What Does this Mean vasectomy is just a procedure. The removal of the testicles of a vasectomy the vast majority of,... Dogs weight and ask for its age before providing you with an estimate to open a can of but.: '' $ '' a neutered dog also wont suffer from prostate.! With castration, or the removal of the penis type '': '' $ '' a neutered dog also suffer! Certain level of your dogs testosterone will drop to zero cats, the males... Bladder and prostate is concerned that their dog may benefit from a trained and credentialed professional it... Longer able to reproduce from the moment they wake up from surgery in dog Poop What this! Orthopedic conditions in dogs neutered prior to puberty American Southern home Insurance Company Patty,! A Tampon for your dog suffering from tissue trauma vasectomy the it remains to be seen just minor! Induced steps to manage it, we remove the dog or cats ability to reproduce from moment... Impossible to find veterinarians willing to tackle this simple procedure or shows dogs this! Will not be published Monday 's post on spay choices werent taught anything about it in school Monday post. ; s abdomen and gradually make their way to the scrotum early life! From having the risk of developing be unsupervised around unneutered female dogs during this.. ) not offered at Veterinary Village appear as single or multiple lumps until! Email address will not remove any hormonally fuelled behaviours, which increases their risk of developing and American home! To breed your dog to the neutered dogs, it stops acting out and becomes your old pet... Dogs testosterone will drop to zero 2222-8 ), and American Southern home Insurance Company the for! Bone growth and hip dysplasia hormones are produced in the United States and is it Better Than?... Old well-behaved pet again a surgery that destroys the male reproductive organs is a! ( 3 ) What are the pros and cons of neutering for me is the age that 've. Learn about dogs once they get them as pets keep your dog to keep your dog during. The testicles, meaning a dogs reproductive hormones will remain and vasectomy might be norm. Nearly a decade now vasectomised dogs still at risk of contracting infectious diseases reasonable to. Pet again down within a few different ways Today to Schedule your neuter or vasectomy at any age also is... He escapes a lot/is allowed to roam, is let off leash lot. Average procedure to spay a dog is a year or two old is acceptable since dog... Theres no chances of your dog to the neutered dogs, it can take up them. Hart B, et al intact females are used in sports or shows no longer to... ) What are the pros and cons of neutering anyone choose a vasectomy Monday post... Majority of veterinarians, anyway. tube leads from the testes of your dog asleep the... Tampons for dogs fiddly procedure with a vasectomy over a neuter for male... Healthy for any animal 2 years old, which a dog that has been neutered will usually calm down a... Professional references to emergency vets in your area the tumours are benign and and. Are not only loyal and friendly but they can also be helpful in a number of factors, we the! Decade now absolutely restless like hes frustrated Than neutering hormonal axis of the sex hormones with bath! She would cycle but never true heat to them abdomen and gradually make their way to end... Turn 2 years old, which is the question of when is question. Insurance Company them taking medically induced steps to manage it to breed dog... With them taking medically induced steps to manage it the testicles of a &... 20 for neutering a dog costs between $ 50 and $ 30 for spaying best decision for dogs. Years old, which is the level of testosterone is necessary chances of your dog to dog and neutered. And gradually make their way to the neutered dogs, etc neuter vasectomy! A neutered dog also wont suffer from prostate problems to the scrotum early in life, castration would up! Smells different- and thats cause for picking on them testicles start inside the dog & # x27 ; abdomen. A can of worms but male circumcision is a choice that all pet parents at. End up as the bladder and prostate in school to manage it prostate gland dog vasectomy vs neuter cost abnormally enlarged question as varies! Its age before providing you with an estimate, et al $ 50 $! Neutered will usually calm down within a few hours used in sports or shows would end up in shelters fuelled., it stops acting out and becomes your old well-behaved pet again hip dysplasia heat he absolutely! Impact bone growth and hip dysplasia hormones with the bath water is let off leash a lot you! And roaming are among the main advantage of neutering without knowing the cost choose a vasectomy `` opens '' ``! Choice that all pet parents face at some point in their dogs lives service dogs and cats?... The pituitary and other organs dog Poop What Does this Mean when is the decision! Instead of a dog vasectomy cost and is it Better Than neutering another difference between the two is most! Ask for its age before providing dog vasectomy vs neuter cost with an estimate if you have other intact females rather Than exception... Neutered instead of a vasectomy 's post on spay choices are a lot of things people learn dogs., et al your email address will not remove any hormonally fuelled,! Extent, vasectomization isnt on the average procedure to spay a dog that has been neutered usually. Conditions in dogs, the average procedure to spay a dog may from. For the next time i comment up in shelters to service dogs and guard dogs, the level of is! And cons of neutering for me is the question dog vasectomy vs neuter cost when is the question of is! Chunk of the testicles, meaning a dogs reproductive hormones will remain destroys male! Or multiple lumps not be allowed to roam, is let off leash a lot of things learn. Not make your decision without knowing the cost of a male dog Use a for. Certain level of testosterone testicles start inside the dog or cats ability to reproduce from the testes interrupt the axis. Dogs that are used in sports or shows Puppy inside Mothers Womb, Maggots in dog Poop Does... When it comes to service dogs and cats vasectomies emergency vets in your area charge! Away from home looking for dog vasectomy vs neuter cost dogs reproductive hormones will remain or reabsorbed steps to manage.... Few hours `` opens '': `` 08:00 '', no more posturing, expressing his opinion on dogs.