I have spent this entire past semester working on a research project on the risks associated with pediatric neutering.
People are starting to now educate themselves against the standard protocol and have found that neutering is primarily used as a convenience surgery to prevent unwanted litters and that the promoted health benefits are drastically over exaggerated and heavily shadowed by the health and behavioral risks associated with neutering, especially with neutering too early.
My essay focuses on three primary issues:
1. Heightened cancer risks
2. Increased risk of orthopedic problems
3. Greater chance of a multitude of behavioral issues
I could have made this essay much longer with all of the available, peer reviewed research there is out there on this topic, but I unfortunately did have a limit.
Attached I will provide my essay itself, the results to the anonymous survey I posed, some comparison photos of intact dogs demonstrating physical development changes related to their continuous exposure to their sex hormones, as well as an additional google doc with a plethora of additional sources, both articles and peer reviewed research from my favorite group regarding this issue (Ovary Sparing Spay and Vasectomy Info Group).
I feel very strongly that the status quo of "being a responsible pet owner means neutering your dogs" needs to be challenged and changed. It is easily possible to own intact dogs and have no litters, and it may very well be the most healthy thing for them.
My essay:
https://docs.google.com/.../1mM7tYv3.../edit...
My survey:
https://docs.google.com/.../1n65RdNaA4NkNR7W02Tab.../edit...
Comparison Photos:
https://docs.google.com/.../1y.../edit...
Other useful studies and articles:
https://docs.google.com/.../1EmNkhQ-L77yMxF0RA6b3.../edit...