Scientific research studies that found spaying and neutering do not reduce aggression in dogs

Two thousand questionnaires were distributed randomly via the Kennel Club (UK) to owners of purebred English Cocker Spaniels (ECSs). Owners were asked to give details about the ECSs they owned: age, sex, neuter status, coat colour. They were also asked to indicate whether their dog showed aggression (on a l-5 scale; 1, never or almost never, 5, always or almost always) in any of 13 situations. These were: aggression towards strange dogs (Al), towards strangers approaching the dog (A2), towards persons approaching/visiting the home (A3), towards persons approaching the owner away from home (A4), towards children in the household (A5), towards other dogs in the household (A6), when the owner gives attention to other person or animal (A7), toward owner or member of owner’s family (A8), when disciplined (A9), when reached for or handled (AlO), when in restricted spaces (Al l), at meal times/ defending food (Al 2) and, suddenly and without apparent reason (A13). A total of 1008 (50.4%) replies was received, of which 932 (owning 1109 dogs) were suitable for analysis. Solid colour ECSs were significantly more likely to show aggression than particolours in 12 out of the 13 situations (A2-A13) and red/goldens were more likely to show aggression than blacks in situations Al, A4, A5 and A7-A13 inclusive. Males were significantly more likely to show aggression than females in situations Al, A8, A9 and Al0 while females were significantly more likely to show aggression towards other dogs in the household (A6). When comparing ECSs which had been neutered before signs of aggression were apparent, with entires, neutered females were found more likely to show aggression towards children in the household (A5). Cluster analysis revealed six groups of associated variables; these were labelled, ‘protective (of itself and owner)‘, ‘protective (of territory)‘, ‘intraspecific (unfamiliar dogs)‘, ‘competitive’, ‘possessive’, and ‘dominance-type’ aggression. Most dogs showed ‘protective (of territory)’ aggression (45.7%) while ‘dominance-type’ aggression was the least common (11.7%). * Corresponding author. 0168-1591/96/$15.00