While neutering dogs is a standard practice, doing so improperly or at too young an age can lead to growth-related health and psychological issues in dogs. It is important to do proper research on the age of maturity of a dog before making the decision to neuter, as well as considering any goals you may have in mind with a dog. Neutering a dog can decimate the drives necessary to compete in high-level sports such as obedience, agility or protection, and may make a dog unsuitable for conformation showing.
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Myths and Facts
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Neutering a dog reduces the production of testosterone, but does not eliminate it. Aggressive adult dogs will usually exhibit a more agreeable temperament after neutering, and most dogs will be less likely to roam, exert dominance over family members or mark territory. The hormone changes following sterilization can contribute to a pet's capacity to gain unnecessary weight.
Neutering Under 6 Months
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Dogs neutered under 6 months may be at an increased risk for certain cancers, and the lack of appropriate levels of testosterone in their bodies will result in malformed growth plates. This results in dogs with longer legs, flatter chests and narrower skulls, which will place unusual strain on muscles, bones, joints and tendons. Dogs neutered under 6 months are usually discouraged from engaging in high-activity work such as competitive agility. Neutering under 6 months can lead to increased incidence of bladder incontinence and adverse reactions to vaccinations, as well as triple the frequency of thyroid disease. Spaying at this age is associated with a twofold risk of ligament rupture, and 70 percent increased risk of dysplasia compared to those neutered after 6 months.
Neutering After 6 Months
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After 6 months, many dogs are approaching puberty, and have at least gotten very near full adult height. Neutering after 6 months accomplishes all the goals of neutering before the dog is sexually mature, but greatly reduces most of the problems found in dogs neutered under 6 months. The risk of musculoskeletal disorder is decreased significantly, and though still higher than dogs neutered after maturity, the additional time offers the dog critical exposure to growth hormones.
Neutering After 1 Year
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After 1 year, most dogs have finished reaching sexual maturity. Neutering at this stage means fewer health risks than neutering at any earlier age. However, since dogs have been sexually mature, there is conclusively more risk of accidental breeding. Similarly, after one year some habits of adult dogs--such as the propensity to wander and mark territory--may remain throughout the dog's life. Continued training will do a great deal to manage such habits.
Cautions
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Different breeds of dogs will reach physical maturity at different times, and if your dog is intact, it is important to keep a vigilant eye on them at all times and restrict interactions with intact dogs of the opposite sex at the ages even approaching maturity. Conclusive studies in veterinary literature provide that there is no compelling case that neutering immature male dogs improves health, whereas health detriments are well-documented.
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