When it comes to standard medical procedures for our pets, spaying or neutering is at the top of the list for so many of us. Considering there are so many dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes in shelters and rescues, plus plenty of breeders out there, it makes sense that most pet parents want to make sure that their pet isn't going to bring home puppies (or kittens).
However, it is also important to know when to get your dog spayed or neutered. For some dog breeds, getting them "fixed" too early is actually detrimental to their overall health and well-being.
In 2013, a study out of the University of California, Davis, determined that spaying our neutering a Golden Retriever too early could lead to cancer and even some joint disorders later on in life. And now it seems a new study has found five more dog breeds that also need to wait until they are at least a year old before undergoing these procedures.
Which five dog breeds need to wait until they are at least a year old before being spayed or neutered?
According to Newsweek, the exact same university was involved in this new study of five more dog breeds and the impacts of spaying or neutering before these pups were at least one year old. So what are the five dog breeds and what did they determine?
- The Newfoundland - Females of the breed that were neutered too early suffered from joint disorders.
- German Short/Wirehaired Pointer - Spaying or neutering too early contributed to joint disorders in all of these pups.
- Mastiff - Males of the breed were the most at risk for joint disorders.
- The Siberian Husky - Overall, this breed did not see significant risk associated with early spaying or neutering, however the study did indicate that females that were neutered before a year old did have an increase risk of other disorders.
- The Rhodesian Ridgeback - Females that were neutered too early in life were at risk of an increase in cancer cells found.
While most pet owners and veterinarians might think six months is old enough to spay or neuter dogs, but every dog breed is different and that means that there are different requirements for each of them. And this includes how old they should be when it comes time to spay or neuter your pup. We want what is best for our dogs and the last thing we want to do is cause health issues later in life because of a surgical procedure when they are too young.
Did you know that some dog breeds should be at least a year old before they are spayed or neutered? Do these breeds and the risks associated with early spaying or neutering surprise you at all?