Opinions Please!

Dodger gave me the fright of my life when we were walking over the fields today. We usually amble on, him with his ball and me thinking my thoughts. But today he suddenly ran off and kept going. All I could do was to follow in the direction he went. After what seemed a very long time, but was about three minutes, he came running back to me. As you can imagine, he was on his lead for the rest of our stroll.
Now the reason for this I'm certain is because he'd scented a bitch in season, as he'd been sniffing and tracking more than usual and he's not a dog with much of a prey drive.
Now the big question is, do I have him nuetered? He's just turning three, and I've not considered it before as there's been no reason, but I'm not sure now.
What would you do?

i wouldn't neuter for tge simple reason that he has already discovered that he likes the scent of a bitch in season & will follow it even if he can't do anything about it!

i'd try strengthening his recall & maybe use a long line on him so that he still has his freedom but you still have control.

Ah, so being nuetered would make no difference then. My vet has given me the lecture about how nuetering would stop virtually any unwanted behaviour, but I've never taken any notice of her because Dodger's a nice, friendly little dog, who loves everyone. I felt she was after the £150 fee!

I would neuter. I think it can help stop a dog from running off after the girls - we had a staffie x lab when I was a child who went from constantly vanishing to being a stay a home lad within a couple of months of neutering and there is plenty of other evidence for this view. Many behaviourists and vets will agree that it CAN (not necessarily will) help the problem.

There's also another aspect to it - if Dodger does find a bitch in season, at least if he is neutered he can't add to the unwanted puppy problem. For me, it is the responsible thing to do.

Yes, you're right with your last comment Liz, I definitely wouldn't want my dog to be responsible for adding to the population of unwanted staffies.