Can a Neutered Dog Still Mate? Explained

I thought the purpose of neutering was to prevent mating? Can a neutered male dog become trapped with an intact female dog? It can, surprisingly enough! The sole guarantee from the procedure is that the female dog cannot become pregnant if the male dog is neutered.

Indeed, your dog may still become enthused with a female and form a “tie” even after being neutered, particularly if it is his first time mating. This is uncommon, though. If it does occur, you should soothe your dog and wait for the tie to break naturally for a while.

If you own a dog, you probably have a lot of questions about having your pet neutered and how it would affect their sexual behavior afterwards. It is your responsibility to learn as much as you can about the topic so that you can support him in the event that difficulties arise.

If you want to learn more about your dog’s post-neuter sexual preferences, including if he will continue to mount other females and whether he will become tied, read this article.

It’s crucial to remember that neutering a dog might not have an impact on its capacity to engage in other mating-related behaviors like mounting or humping.
We shall discuss whether neutered dogs still mate and what habits they retain in the paragraphs that follow. For a comprehensive overview on the mating problem, we have talked with dog experts like as Sarah White, who wrote the book High Quality, High-volume Spay and Neuter.

If you still have a puppy that hasn’t had the process done, you can read our article on the symptoms your dog needs to be neutered. Neutering is rather simple compared to spaying, which involves more intricate surgery and rehabilitation. But anesthesia is still required when neutering pets.

Nonetheless, a male dog’s ability to engage in sexual behaviors like mounting or humping is unaffected by neutering. These are innate characteristics that could persist even after the dog has undergone neutering.

Understanding Neutering in Dogs

Dogs are frequently surgically neutered in order to stop them from procreating. It’s a type of sterilization when male dogs have their testicles removed, making them infertile.

Beyond reducing unwanted litters, neutering dogs has various advantages.

In dogs, neutering can lower the chance of developing several cancers in both male and female animals.
Additionally, it can lessen the likelihood of some behavioral problems including hostility and roaming.
Furthermore, neutering can lessen the quantity of dogs that are abandoned or found on the streets.

But early neutering—below six months for small dogs and 12 months for large dogs—has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, including mast cell tumors, osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, and joint problems, according to multiple studies. Therefore, we advise against getting a neuter for your dog until after it reaches physical maturity.
It is crucial to understand that some behaviors are not completely eradicated by neutering. The dog may nevertheless engage in sexual behaviors, such as playful humping or mounting, even when they are unable to procreate.

These behaviors are often driven by other factors, such as social or environmental cues, rather than the dog’s reproductive hormones. Our article on why dogs hump pillows goes into non-sexual reasons for humping.

What Happens if a Dog Gets Neutered?

It certainly can, yes.

The majority of dog owners experience anguish when considering neutering their cherished male canine. The main cause of this anxiety is the belief that their dog will never mate or engage in sexual activity with a female, which is untrue. It is still possible for a neutered dog to have sex with a female companion. They can certainly still tie since they can still have intercourse.

Is a neutered dog still allowed to have balls?

By definition, neutering a dog involves taking its testicles out. As a result, they are unable to maintain their balls. After neutering, a male dog who looks to have balls is most likely experiencing post-operative swelling, which will go away in a few days.

Other methods of sterilizing dogs exist, such as “zeutering,” which involves killing existing sperm using a zinc gluconate and L-arginine solution. A sterilized dog will in this instance retain his balls. There are also procedures called vasectomies, in which the tube that connects the testicles to the outside is severed. Nevertheless, the dog is not considered neutered, and both of these methods are unusual.

According to a 2018 CNBC article, Gregg Miller made a lot of money by creating “Neuticles,” which are canine prosthetic testicles. After a dog is neutered, these prosthetic implants are frequently utilized, supposedly to assist the canine retain its natural appearance.

The FDA-approved materials used to make the implants are available in varying sizes to accommodate different breeds. Divergent views exist on the necessity or ethics of this technique; some consider it to be a pet owner’s vanity project, while others contend it may facilitate a pet’s recovery from surgery.

Very simple, what is Neutering?

In order for everyone to know exactly what we are talking about, let’s first define the term “neutered dog” before proceeding.
To put it simply, neutering a dog is one method of sterilizing it so that the male can continue to mate with the female if he so chooses without becoming pregnant. Put another way, when a dog is neutered, its testicles are removed, preventing it from producing sperm.

Testicle removal does not result in a reduction of testosterone production. Since testosterone affects the dog’s brain during its early growth, neutering a dog does not completely eradicate the testosterone-driven male behavior.
So, in some ways, a neutered dog’s behavior, such as sexual attraction, male dominance, and urine marking, persists. Dogs can still mate with females and achieve an erection.

Comprehending Tied-in Dogs

As part of the typical sex process, when a canine mounts a female while she is in heat, they become trapped together with their buttocks facing each other. We call this “tying in dogs.” This is not an issue, but it could be dangerous for them both if someone tries to pull them apart.

Dogs tie because of a feature called a bulbous gland located at the base of the male dog’s penis. The dog becomes erect and becomes trapped together with the female after mating, staying that way for several minutes.

Even when a dog is neutered, this process still takes place. By neutering a dog, you only remove its testicles—not the mechanisms that affect its genital system. Your dog’s penis is still capable of gaining an erection and penetrating a female dog.

Is a male neutered dog unable to break free from a female?

After mating, it is fairly uncommon for the neutered male dog and his female mate to become stuck. Your neutered dog can still erect and, thus, tie with a female even though he is sperm-free.

Can a pair of neutered dogs coexist?

Two neutered dogs can coexist without ever fighting, or very seldom, if they are partnered appropriately. Due in part to the loss of the testicles, which produce the male hormone testosterone and are one of the causes of male hostility, two neutered dogs can coexist peacefully or with very few fights.

Can a dog that has been neutered pierce a female?

It is still possible for a neutered dog to pierce a female.

The small amount of testosterone produced by the adrenaline glands allows him to get an erection. So, even though he is unable to conceive her, neutered canines are still able to mate with her. Put differently, he is able to mate with a female but not conceive and hence not able to implant his sperm into her.

Frequently Ask Questions

When a female dog is in heat, will a neutered dog still mount her?

A neutered dog can still mate with a female while she is in heat.

Even if his testicles are gone, he will still be able get erection. When a neutered dog smells a female in heat, she becomes his only focus and he becomes obsessed with her until they mate and for the duration of her cycle.
While neutered dogs are still able to mate, many of them lose the need to do so after being neutered, therefore it is up to the individual dog to decide whether or not he wants to mount a female. His urge to mate with a female in heat is also influenced by his age and attitude.

Can a neutered dog attempt to mate with a dog that has been spayed?

Remarkably, the answer is yes.

A neutered dog will continue to seek a partner who is spayed. Dogs’ brains are predisposed to testosterone from an early age—even before birth. Therefore, even after having his testicles removed, he is still capable of experiencing sexual feelings and acting in ways that are motivated by testosterone, such as mating with a female even after she has had her sperm removed.
The good news is that neither of them is capable of producing puppies, which is ultimately the primary reason for having a female dog spayed and a male dog neutered.

I’m pregnant; can my dog detect this?

There are no scientific studies that support this.

Dogs have been reported to detect human pregnancy before it is officially diagnosed. Your dog will naturally sense the changes in your body, both physical and emotional, that occur before you even realize you are pregnant.
Given their sensitivity, dogs may be able to detect miscarriage if they can detect your pregnancy. If your dog starts to exhibit more affection toward you than usual, it could be a sign that they are trying to tell you that you are pregnant or that they are trying to help you feel better.

Final Thought

Since it takes time for the hormone shift in your neutered dog’s body to take effect, it is crucial that you monitor him closely. Your dog will be extremely eager to mate during this time. Second, don’t allow him go too close to a female dog that is in heat since there might still be some sperm in his genital tract.

It is your job to keep a female in heat away from him, because it would be difficult to keep him away from her once he detects her scent. You can be relieved that, after he passes this stage, he is not able to conceive other ladies, even though he is allowed to mate with them.