Superfact 21: Neutering or spaying a dog at 6 months old can be dangerous to their health depending on breed. It is often recommended that you should neuter or spay your dog by the age of 6 months even as early as 8 weeks. This may be OK for some smaller breeds but is dangerous to the health and longevity of many larger breeds.
Many dog welfare organizations, SPCA, ASCA, etc., recommend that dogs are neutered or spayed by the age of 6 months, or even as early as 8 weeks. It is also a common advice in dog books.
In addition, some veterinarians still hold onto this belief. It is easy to understand why. Dogs running loose and causing unwanted pregnancies resulting in puppies having to be euthanized is a sad problem we don’t want.
In other words, we know this to be true, it is an important fact since so many of us own a dog, roughly half of all US households do, and yet this information is highly surprising to many. This is why I consider it a super fact.
This less than a year-old article from the AKC states that “an age of six to nine months of age may be appropriate for neutering or spaying a toy breed puppy or small breed puppy but a larger or giant breed may need to wait until they are near or over 12-18 months of age.” The article also provides the following interesting information.
Research conducted by the University of California – Davis reveals that for some dog breeds, neutering and spaying may be associated with the increased risks of certain health conditions such as joint disorders including hip or elbow dysplasia, cranial cruciate rupture or tear, and some cancers, such as lymphoma, mast cell tumor, hemangiosarcoma, and osteosarcoma.
The research conclusions are not surprising. Sex hormones are important in the development of any animal. We know they affect psychological development as well as the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and the immune system.
I believe this is the University of California – Davis article in question. It is from 2020. Notice that the suggested guidelines for age of neutering is beyond 23 months for several of the giant breeds in the table featuring 35 breeds.
Recommended Ages for Neutering and Spaying
Below is a list of recommended ages for neutering and spaying for selected dog breeds.
- Australian Shepherd, for neutering and spaying it is your choice.
- Bernese Mountain Dog, you should neuter beyond the age of 23 months, but for spaying you have a free choice.
- Boxer, neuter and spay beyond the age of 23 months.
- Boston Terrier, neuter beyond 11 months, but for spaying you have a free choice.
- Doberman Pincher, never neuter, and you need to spay beyond the age of 23 months.
- German Shepherd, neuter and spay beyond the age of 23 months.
- Labrador Retriever, neuter beyond 6 months and spay beyond 11 months.
- Corgi, neuter beyond 6 months, but for spaying you have a free choice.
- Great Dane, despite being a very large dog you have a free choice for both neutering and spaying.
- Rottweiler, neuter beyond 11 months, but for spaying beyond 6 months.
We used to own a male Leonberger dog, which is a giant breed. Our breeder told us to wait beyond two years before neutering him, for health reasons. This article from Hillhaven Leonbergers states the following “We recommend not neutering until at least 2 years of age…Some Vets would recommend from 6 months but this is NOT a good idea.” To read more about the neutering and spaying of Leonberger dogs click here.
This article from the Saint Bernard Club of America states that “above all, no giant breed puppy should be altered before the growth plates in the bones have matured and closed, usually between 15 and 24 months of age.” This Newfoundland dog magazine states : Currently, the recommended age that a Newfoundland dog should be neutered is 18 to 24 months due to the possible health problems that can arise from altering before that age.
Even though the expert advice regarding the best age for neutering and spaying varies, it is clear that doing it at six months old is too early for many breeds and can harm their health.
To see the other Super Facts click here
Newstrade
Very interesting and thank you for bringing these studies to our attention. I wasn’t aware that you need to wait that long with larger dog breeds. Oh, my, such an important fact. Noted.
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Same here, before we got Bronco. Everyone was telling us to do it by 6 months, even the veterinary we had at the time, but our breeder Julie Schaffert made sure we didn’t. Now a day you frequently have to sign a contract where you promise not to neuter/spay your Leonberger before the age of two, or they won’t sell you the dog. It is important for many dog breeds that you wait, so you have to look up if it is true for your breed. This is a fact that has not sunk in everywhere yet.
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I’ve had dogs my whole life, Thomas, and wasn’t aware that the recommendations to neuter and spay are much later than they used to be. We just rescued a Pom-mix and had him neutered at 7 months, which (fortunately) is one month past the recommendation. Thanks for this excellent update. 🙂
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Thank you so much Diane. This is an important not well known information (which is why I call it super fact). People and even veterinarians don’t know it. It is of course very important not to let a dog that is not neutered/spayed run around and making puppies in an uncontrolled manner. It is complicated. I am glad your dog was one month past the recommendation.
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I wonder how many other common vet practices may actually be detrimental to our friends?! Thanks for bringing awareness on such important topic, Thomas! Worth considering…! Light and blessings to you*
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I don’t know but I find that professional certified breeders, as opposed to backyard breeders and puppy mills, keep on top of the research. At least that is true for the Leonberger community. And light and blessing to you too.
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Java Bean: “Ayyy, important information! If a bit uncomfortable for us dogs to think about!”
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Ha ha yes I can imagine you dogs picketing veterinary clinics and demanding change.
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This is important information I did not know before. It’s a dilemma for shelters where dog overpopulation is rampant. Many shelters and government control agencies require spaying and neutering before adopting. The rural county where we live now gives voluntary vouchers which I have been ambivalent about. This suggests the vouchers might be better for certain young dogs. I’m hoping to start volunteering at a shelter this year and will discuss this once I’m established.
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It is a complicated issue since unwanted pregnancies in dogs is a big problem. It would really help if dog owners were a bit more responsible and backyard breeders / puppy mills were put out of business. But it is good to remember that for many large dog breeds neutering/spaying can do a lot of damage to their health. However, we have lists now that tell you how big the problem is for different breeds. Apparently, you can spay/neuter a Great Dane early (6 months) but not a Leonberger or St. Bernard. It is great that you are planning to volunteer for a shelter. That is something that is really needed.
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I agree that: It would really help if dog owners were …more responsible and backyard breeders / puppy mills were put out of business. There aren’t enough homes for them all.
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Yes you are right. The Leonberger Club of America are certifying Leonberger breeders and they sign contracts with their customers and will take back the dog and care for them if it does not work out, and customers in turn are not allowed to turn in a Leonberger to a shelter or randomly selling them. If they don’t follow the contract or are found out to mistreat the dog they are not allowed to buy another. Following that kind of tradition prevents a lot of tragedies. I don’t know what other breeders and clubs do but puppy mills and backyard breeders don’t follow such traditions.
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