From Simon Shore
I have my doubts about Norma Guy’s claim that neutered dogs are more likely
to growl and bite
(1 September, p 25).
In my experience, aggressive behaviour is
one of the commonest reasons for dogs being castrated. Thus, a sample of
neutered dogs is likely to contain a disproportionate number of dogs with
aggressive tendencies.
Conversely, a sample of dogs that have not been castrated is likely to
contain a higher proportion of dogs whose owners do not perceive them to be
aggressive and hence have had no reason to have them neutered. I suspect that
the results have more to do with sample bias than with hormones.
Hardwick, Cambridge
