Joe Rogan has questioned the common practice of neutering dogs, arguing that responsible ownership should matter more than routinely removing a dog’s ability to reproduce. During The Joe Rogan Experience #2568 with Ross Edgley, the UFC commentator shared a story about his mastiff Johnny Cash and recalled a disagreement with a veterinarian over whether the dog should be neutered.
The conversation began after Edgley described a reindeer-herding practice in Siberia. Rogan drew a comparison with gelding horses, acknowledging why the procedure might be necessary in certain situations but making it clear that he did not want to do the same to his own animals.
“I understand that they have to do that, like the way they geld horses. You know, they do that with horses as well. I understand it, but I don’t want to be a part of that. I won’t even do that to my dogs.”
Rogan then recounted an appointment with a veterinarian who questioned why his mastiff still wasn’t neutered. The encounter apparently left an impression on him, particularly because he disagreed with the suggestion that neutering was the responsible thing to do.
“Like, I went to a veterinarian once, and she literally cradled my dog, Johnny Cash. I had this mastiff named Johnny Cash. He was the best. And this lady cradled his balls. She goes, ‘What are these? Why are these here?’ I go, ‘Well, those are his [ ], and he was born with them, and that’s how his body produces testosterone.’”
According to Rogan, the veterinarian subsequently suggested that neutering would be a responsible decision. He pushed back, questioning why a dog that was not producing unwanted puppies needed to undergo the procedure in the first place.
“And she’s like, ‘Wouldn’t it be responsible to have him neutered?’ And I was like, ‘Why would that be responsible? He’s not having unnecessary babies. Why do you want his body to not produce testosterone? Is it because there’s a narrative? Is it because you profit off of it? Like, what?’”
Rogan also recalled receiving different advice from a veterinarian after first moving to Los Angeles. Unlike the doctor he later encountered, this veterinarian immediately connected with Johnny Cash and according to Rogan, did not believe neutering was necessary for a dog living in a secure home.
“Fortunately for me, I had a doctor when I first moved to Los Angeles, a veterinarian who was an… this guy was an animal lover. I mean, he was like a dog whisperer. I brought my dog in, and immediately he was like my dog’s best friend.”
When Rogan asked whether he should have his dog neutered, the veterinarian reportedly advised against it, provided Rogan could prevent the dog from roaming and producing unwanted litters.
“I said, ‘Should I get him fixed?’ He goes, ‘No, there’s no reason to.’ He goes, ‘You have a fence. Your dog’s not going to hop out and make puppies that aren’t going to be taken care of. If you’re a responsible dog owner, don’t get your dog fixed.’”
Rogan admitted that he had previously believed neutering could help protect dogs against cancer. However, he said the veterinarian dismissed that explanation outright and offered his own theory about what might contribute to cancer in dogs.
“I go, ‘Really?’ I thought it was like for their health so they don’t get cancer. He goes, ‘Complete horse[ ].’ He goes, ‘If dogs get cancer, it’s most likely probably from really bad food.’”
Rogan ultimately returned to his central argument: owners who can responsibly manage their dogs should reconsider neutering as an automatic decision. He also brought up Andrew Huberman, who had apparently discussed a similar experience involving his bulldog.
“Anyway, my point is, don’t cut your nuts off your dog if you’re a responsible dog owner, because they get tired. Even Huberman, we were talking about Huberman before. He did it to his bulldog and he felt bad, so he started giving his bulldog testosterone.”
