Best Age to spay or neuter a dog?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the size/breed of the dog. We have a golden and waited until after a year on the advice of our vet and breeder.

m


A male or female? I saw some research saying not to spay F Goldens bc of cancer risk.

Our dog is male.

[Anonymous]

Ideally after growth plates close. For small breeds, this is between 12-18 months usually, for larger dogs, 18-24 months. Sometimes they close sooner but 99% of pet people aren't doing x-rays to figure it out though so best to wait until 18 months.

The exception is if you are taking your dog to dog parks or daycare. Then the risk of pediatric neuter issues are probably outweighed by neutuered/non-neutered dog interaction issues.

[Anonymous]

We got our female Lab spayed at 21 months. She had been through her first heat by then. The breeder was insistent that we wait until at least a year and at least one heat cycle.

[Anonymous]

We just neutered our large breed dog because he turned 2 years old - and that is when the vet and breeder advised we do it.

Large and giant breed dogs are more prone to physical health problems (and female dogs are more prone to incontinence issues) if you spay/neuter them before 18-24 months.

Point being, as PP above noted, the best age to fix your dog depends on the breed. Doesn't mean you can't do it earlier - but if you can wait until the recommended age its ideal.