I watch these two youtube knitters in Norway -- Arne and Carlos. They mentioned they could not get their dogs neutered as it was illegal in their country,
I found this online: In Norway routine neutering is downright illegal meaning that around 99% of all dogs in Norway are left intact.
I cannot wrap my head around that one...
That's because Norway got very strict laws regarding animals. They must all be microchipped. Makes it easy to know who the owner is. Breeders are responsible for health and fitness for the animals they sell. And there are no stray dogs in Norway( according to the gov). Also, when I meant strict laws, someone that is not responsible with their animals, i.e. cruelty can go to prison for up to 3 years + fines + denied the rights to own any animals for a determined period of time for example. Also, they are only 5millions peoples in a relatively large country (compared to UK for example) so it makes it "easier to control".
As for the neutering, it depends the mentality of the country a lot, laws are different now but I remember veterinarians coming over to Quebec from France (I worked for one) and they had at the time(35years or so ago) the mentality that only the female dogs/cats should be neutered and not the males.
As for the muscles mass, it is not that important in Ratso tbh. It is more important in a working breed that will be use to work i.e. pulling sled for example. But otherwise, it is mainly because the owner wants to have a "chest" more developed on "usually" guard dogs to make them look more imposing. There are not enough research done up to now to say that neutering has any significance in the muscles mass, there must be some as it is the testosterones that is removed in the case of male dogs. But, there are not enough data to date. Although, there are data that shows an animal neutered is more docile and more turned toward the humans owners than other dogs when neutered.
Personally, I think unless there are no more animals in shelters, every dogs and cats should be neutered.
And, as always, thank you
@ComtesseRose and
@tuffiti