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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

I had no idea how contentious when to spay a dog was!

40 replies

BPCoveredInSpots · 20/02/2021 20:33

I’m getting so many mixed messages about spaying my dog.

Some say ASAP, some say when she’s fully matured.

My older dog was neutered at 6 months, in hindsight this was too soon and we have behavioural issues with him that the trainer/behaviourist feels are because he was neutered too young.

Vet recommends spay when first season is over (around 1?)
Behaviourist recommends she has at least 2 seasons before she’s spayed.

Any opinions?
Thanks!

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 20/02/2021 20:40

Does it not depend on the breed?

Original poster

BPCoveredInSpots · 20/02/2021 20:44

No idea, that’s why I’m asking.

My vet says soon as possible and would have spayed her at 6 months.

I’ve heard otherwise from others whose opinions I respect, so I’m lost.

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 20/02/2021 20:48

Well what breed is your dog?
Is it a large breed or a smaller one?

Original poster

BPCoveredInSpots · 20/02/2021 20:51

Large lurcher

OP posts:

fortifiedwithtea · 20/02/2021 20:54

Ours is a medium to large breed. Currently on her second season and 16 months old. For our breed many recommend waiting until 2 years. So one season to go after this one.

Junobug · 20/02/2021 20:57

We went for after our labs first season. (Even more controversially,) in hindsight, I wish I hadn't spayed at all. It completely changed her personality, training went backwards and she became lead aggressive. We carried on a lot of training and have improved it slightly but our behaviourist agreed and doesn't spay her dogs.

JesusWeptLady · 20/02/2021 20:59

6 months is right I think - my vet explained that the hormones were needed to that point for bone and muscle development and after that point they go "elsewhere" i.e they get randy and aggressive and time for the snips. Not sure about the timing for female dogs though...

Calmestofallthechickens · 20/02/2021 21:00

In females one of the biggest benefits to spaying is reducing the risk of mammary cancer later in life, and the best time is before or after the first season (eg before the second season) as this has the biggest protective effect.

In larger dogs and certain breeds, I tend to recommend after the first season because there’s an anecdotal (but not proven) correlation with juvenile spaying and urinary incontinence in older age.

Neutering male dogs is a bit different as the health benefits are less important and the behavioural effects are more important, so for some male dogs we might not recommend neutering at all or until skeletally and behaviourally mature (this might be where your behaviourist is coming from).

Original poster

BPCoveredInSpots · 20/02/2021 21:01

@Junobug similar to my older dog. He became very nervous after he was neutered.

This is why I’d love a really good discussion about it.

OP posts:

Original poster

BPCoveredInSpots · 20/02/2021 21:03

@Calmestofallthechickens thanks, that’s a very clear post.

OP posts:

thistimelastweek · 20/02/2021 21:05

Watching with interest because this is a decision we shall soon have to reach.
We have decided to wait two seasons on the advice of the breeder who had strong views.
I've looked in to the pros and cons but my natural instinct is not to spay at all.

Like the OP, I would appreciate opinions.

Pancake4life · 20/02/2021 21:06

did you get her from a breeder with good knowledge of the specific breed? they should be able to advise whats best. for ours it was recommended to be 18 months.

Original poster

BPCoveredInSpots · 20/02/2021 21:08

The breeder doesn’t have strong opinions either way.

OP posts:

Happytentoes · 20/02/2021 21:10

So female lab was spayed about 3 months after first season - she was not mine at the time. Can’t say I notice any I’ll effects - she’s lovely.
Male lab was 3 as he was a bit anxious and we wanted him to have benefit of hormones. He was a horny little bugger though. He is lovely and no behavioural changes other than not looking for bitches.
Neither of these were particularly recent though.
Nowadays, I would be seriously considering vasectomy for male, so he could retain those hormones
With my female, same applies I would be concerned about pyometra and cancers but would need to be convinced. Those hormones govern more than reproduction - as a 50 something woman, I do appreciate the benefits!

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 20/02/2021 21:32

This paper gives you some idea why it's such a contentious issue - breed and age all play a factor, and it looks as if neutering at the 'wrong' age can increase e.g. joint disorders in certain breeds. I'm not sure it will help you directly, but it will give you an idea of the issues.

Our vet started to talk about neutering our last puppy when she was six months old. I held off, as a) I wanted her to mature physically and mentally and b) I was considering breeding her. As it turned out, she didn't have her first season until well into her second year, and carried on changing and maturing right up until she was about 3. I do worry about pyo, but I appreciate her being a mature and very self-possessed dog.

Seasons are a pain, but IMHO worth dealing with to end up with an adult bitch whose brain and body have had the hormones that nature intended.

Snowymcsnowsony · 20/02/2021 21:35

Our saluki /deerhound is 15 months. No season as yet. Waiting to be able to get her to some classes before her op as she is very nervous and can't imagine handing her over at the doorway so jittery around people..

TSBelliot · 20/02/2021 21:37

Larger and later. I didn’t wait and regretted it later.

Original poster

BPCoveredInSpots · 20/02/2021 22:03

@TSBelliot can I ask why you regretted it?

OP posts:

wobblewombat · 20/02/2021 22:08

Vet said 6-9 months for neutering when pup was 8 weeks. Took him in at 8 months & vet refused to operate, so now we have an entire male with no real clue when to do the op. Too nervous, apparently...

AlwaysLatte · 20/02/2021 22:12

My vet recommended after our female dog's first season. She hasn't had any issues at all.

EeeByeGummieBear · 20/02/2021 22:19

I rang the vet re our ESS to book her in for her spay, based on what I'd read. She was booked in (age 6 months). Then five minutes later the surgery receptionist rang back saying she had spoken to the vet, who suggested waiting until after her first season due to her breed.
I've realised since getting DDog how important breed specific advice is. It makes sense really when I think about it, given how different breeds are.

Offredismysister · 20/02/2021 22:27

I’ve got a large breed & waited until she’d had 2 seasons. I paid a lot to have it done laparoscopically as I read better recovery & less chance of incontinence. I wish I’d not bothered to be honest, she is now incontinent at the age of 5 & she has some joint problems (although not sure if related).

Ylvamoon · 20/02/2021 22:40

Hi, I have currently 3 girls. 2 are not spayed as they are still young. My 3rd was "done" at around 6 years of age.
There are benefits in holding off neutering for a few years. Yes, you will have to deal with seasons and yes, you run the risk of a phantom pregnancy... but these things pass and don't have a detrimental effect on the dog.
Neutering to early can lead to bone / joint issues, it can affect your dogs coat quality (especially long hair and poodleX)

and of course the personality of your dog. To name the most common issues.
There will of course be a time in your dogs life, when neutering is more beneficial to help prevent conditions such as Pyometra and cancers related to the reproductive organs.

So I think in the end, you need to do what feels right for you.

StillMedusa · 20/02/2021 23:51

I had mine done after her second season. I'd have preferred to wait until she was 2-3years old, but she became a miserable shadow of herself during her second.. became reactive, and unhappy.
We didn't want to put her through another and had her spayed laporoscopically.. she was up and running again in 3 days. And happier....

Frenchfancy · 21/02/2021 07:13

Thanks for the thread. I have been wondering what to do about Frenchpup. Ddog was spayed at about 8 months (after 1 season) she was incontinent for the last 3 years of her life which I found really difficult. If putting up with a couple of seasons could prevent it I will definitely wait. They are not the same breed, but are both large gun dogs.

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