When Is It Too Late To Neuter
The question of when to neuter a german shepherd is a common one and there are many different answers. For most dogs, the best time to neuter them would be before they reach sexual maturity .
However, we always recommend neutering german shepherds when they are at least 12 months old.
Researchers suggest that anytime between 12-18 Months Timeframe will be considered as a good time for Neutering.
However, this is not always possible in all cases. Some vets will perform the procedure on dogs as old as two years old if they have been deemed healthy enough for surgery by their veterinarian.
When Should A German Shepherd Be Castrated
A recent study in veterinar y medicine and science suggests that it is healthiest to neuter GSD after they have reached full maturity sometime between 18 to 24 months of age. German shepherds neutered before the age of 1 have a significantly higher risk of cranial cruciate ligament tears or ruptures.
Will Neutering My Hyperactive German Shepherd Calm Him Down
German Shepherds are curious and intelligent dogs who can also be very active, especially when theyre young.
From birth until about six months of age, your dogs testosterone levels are low.
But as he reaches puberty at about six months old, the testosterone levels increase and your dogs behavior is likely to change as well.
According to the Hillcrest Animal Hospital, when male dogs reach puberty you can expect them to change, taking increased risks, becoming more aggressive or dominant, and roaming in search of mates.
It may seem to you that your German Shepherd goes into overdrive as he begins to exhibit these behaviors.
Neutering your German Shepherd can help to calm him down, but the amount of change you see in your dog and how fast you see it will depend on multiple factors.
If your dog is already past puberty it may take a long time for him to calm down, and you may see other problems instead.
Some German Shepherd Dogs may continue to be hyperactive despite being neutered, but you can help them learn proper behaviors by taking the time to consistently train them.
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Is It Okay If I Dont Neuter My Dog
From a health perspective, male dogs that arent neutered can develop serious infections of the prostate, as well as testicular cancer and tumors, which can require invasive and expensive surgery. Unspayed female dogs can also cause a whole other set of problems one big one being that they can get pregnant.
What Is Neutering Or Spaying
Neutering is the removal of the reproductive organ of an animal. This can be either partially or totally to the reproductive organ.
This is commonly done to pets, especially dogs. After all, neutering is an attempt to prevent overpopulation.
While you may think that neutering is done with males, it actually involves both sexes. It can be done to male AND female animals.
However, since this misconception is a bit prevalent, spaying was introduced.
Spaying can be considered as neutering but only done with females. Technically it refers to the removal of ovaries of animals.
While it may be a common practice nowadays, you cant help but wonder the reason behind the neutering or spaying of a German shepherd.
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Health Benefits Of Neutering:
According to the Animal Cancer Foundation, around 6 millioncompanion dogs are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States alone.
In addition, a study published by the Journal of Comparative Pathology in 2008 revealed that 27% of unneutered dogs develop at least one testicular tumor.
Based on the research by the National Canine Cancer Foundation, testicular tumors make up 90% of canine cancers related to the male reproductive system.
Apart from preventing testicular tumors and cancer, neutering your German Shepherd would also prevent prostate problems as he ages.
Neutering is also believed to reduce the risk of diabetes as well as perianal fistulas, a medical condition thats relatively common among German Shepherds.
When Do German Shepherds Lose Their Puppy Coat
The GSD puppy coat doesnt shed all in one go. Instead, it sheds and changes continuously from birth to around 6 months. During this time, the appearance of your German Shepherds coat will change drastically.
Once your German Shepherd turns 7 months old, the changes to their coat color will be more subtle. Nevertheless, it will continue to transform until they become adults at around 2 years old.
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What Other Benefits Can I Expect For My Dog From Being Neutered
According to author Michele Welton, your German Shepherd is less likely to be a target for other males if hes neutered.
Even if your dog is not aggressive, if hes not neutered, known as being intact, hes at risk of other males attacking him. Once hes neutered that risk is far less since other males wont see him as a threat.
He will also gain some health benefits from neutering. Non-neutered males have a risk of developing prostate problems or testicular cancer.
These can be treated if he gets them, but neutering minimizes or eliminates the risk of these diseases.
Another nasty problem that can develop in intact German Shepherds, as well as other breeds, is a perianal fistula.
Benefits Of Neutering A German Shepherd Puppy
Preventing unwanted pregnancies keeps pet owners from having puppies at an irresponsible age which is easier on both the dog as well as their owner who doesnt want another mouth to feed or if they need space for other pets. Neutering your pup when they are young can also help prevent them from wandering in search of a mate, which is dangerous for the dog and puts it at risk of being hit by cars or attacked by strangers.
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Will Getting A Male German Shepherd Neutered Calm Him Down
Neutering your german shepherd can help to calm him down, but the amount of change you see in your dog and how fast you see it will depend on multiple factors. Some dogs may continue to be hyperactive despite being neutered, but you can help him to make the changes youd like to see by spending time training him.
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How Much Shedding Is Too Much
If you notice your German Shepherd shedding more than normal outside of their seasonal coat blows and you cant identify the cause from the above list, its always a good idea to get a professional opinion from your vet about whether your dog is shedding too much.
If you notice any bald patches, excessive scratching, visibly inflamed skin, or dry/brittle fur, its definitely time for a vet visit.
You are your dogs best advocate, so its up to you to keep an eye on shedding levels and take action if you suspect a problem. However, as weve said time and again, German Shepherds shed prolifically, so dont be alarmed when you can pull out gobs of fur with your hands during shedding season.
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The Importance Of Neutering
A female dog can have two litters a year with up to ten puppies in each litter.
Neutering has a number of benefits. Owning an unneutered female dog can be very stressful when they come into season.For dogs, this can be twice a year and last for up to three weeks. During this time you are likely to notice blood spots around the house and particularly in the areas where your dog sleeps. Whilst in season your female dog can become pregnant if mated with an unneutered male. As well as the mess involved, your female dog may be pursued by persistent male dogs which can make walks very difficult. A female dog in season may try to escape to find a mate and unneutered male dogs will go to great lengths tomeet a female in season including scaling garden walls and running away on walks. A neutered female dog or will no longer come into season and so many of these problems can be avoided.
There are also some medical benefits associated with neutering. In dogs, castration removes the risk of testicular tumours developing and helps to prevent the onset of conditions such as prostate disease which is common in unneutered male dogs. In female dogs, spaying can reduce the risk of mammary tumours and removes the threat of womb infections which can be very serious.
Will Neutering A German Shepherd Reduce Aggression
A lot of people neuter their german shepherd because they think it can reduce their aggression. And up until very recently, many researchers believed this to be true. However, now they think this may not be the case.
Its been found that german shepherds that have been neutered can often be more aggressive to strangers that try to approach their house. And it wasnt just people either. Other animals and dogs also caused neutered dogs to become more aggressive on average.
And if they werent acting aggressively, sometimes their fear-based behavior was seen to increase. Once again, this was more likely to happen around strangers, but it also happens when theyre put into new situations or theyre around objects theyve never seen before.
They also appeared to show other types of undesirable behavior as well, such as eating poop and rolling in it. And lastly, they were often more excitable.
So it does appear that in some cases, aggression, fear, excitement and unwanted behavior would increase after being neutered. This is one of the reasons its so important to consult your vet before neutering to see if its right for your pup.
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At What Age Do German Shepherds Settle Down
When a german shepherd is one year old, you should expect them to calm down over the next 6 to 12 months. Shepherd will never be the same after two years as it is in the wild. Shepherds are known for being gentle and affectionate with their owners. They are also known to have a great sense of loyalty and loyalty is one of the most important qualities in a dog.
However, they can be a bit temperamental at times. This is especially true when it comes to other dogs. If you are having a hard time getting your dog to do what you want him to, this is a good sign that you need to work on your communication skills with him.
It is important to remember that the best way to deal with a stubborn dog is to simply ignore him and let him do his own thing. The best thing you can do is try to understand what he is trying to tell you, and then give him the space he needs to express his needs.
When you do this, he will be much more likely to listen to you and do the right thing for you.
Should I Neuter My German Shepherd Dog
Nov 23, 2021 | Health & Care
Neutering a German Shepherd could help to reduce hormone-related behavioral disorders such as hostility and running off from the home. To reduce the possibility of cancer and joint diseases, neutering surgery is safe to conduct after the canine has reached the age of one year.
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When Should I Spay Or Neuter
When is the Best Time to Spay or Neuter My German Shepherd?……
as a Breeder…….
I generally make it a rule to tell everyone NOT to spay or neuter their German Shepherd until they reach at least a year of age, preferrably at 14 months of age. We know that the hormones that regulate sexual activity also interact with the growth hormones and promote the closure of the growth plates ON TIME. We know that males or females that are spayed or neutered at an early age will grow SIGNIFICANTLY taller than those that are spayed later in life. Dogs that have been spayed or neutered early are typically longer limbed, lighter boned, have narrower chests and smaller skulls.
The arguments that you will hear in favor of early spay or neuter include:
The previous information was provided by Sheryle Thompson, DVM, Sequoyah Shepherds
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO WATCH THIS VIDEO – THE TRUTH ABOUT SPAY AND NEUTER, a video by Dr. Karen Becker
Von Rothhaus German Shepherds 2013 | Contract
They Lose A Natural Part Of Their Anatomy:
First and foremost, fixing your male German Shepherd means they will lose a natural part of their anatomy and the ability to reproduce.
Surgically removing their testicles can change their overall sex drive, certain behaviors related to the hormones, and increase or reduce certain health issues.
You may want to consider that castration means your GSD may end up with a different personality. He or she may be calmer or subdued which can be good or bad depending on your view.
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Early Neutering Raises Risk Of Joint Disorders In German Shepherds
Known for their intelligence, obedience and loyalty, German shepherd dogs are often the preferred breed for police and military work, and as service dogs and family pets. They are also prone to joint disorders. However, a new study hopes to reduce that risk.
Researchers from the University of California at Davis have found that neutering or spaying German shepherds before one year of age triples the risk of one or more joint disorders particularly for cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL, tears.
The study was May 16 in the journal Veterinary Medicine and Science.
The researchers examined veterinary hospital records over a fourteen-and-a-half year period on 1,170 intact and neutered German shepherd dogs for joint disorders and cancers previously associated with neutering. The diseases were followed through 8 years of age, with the exception of mammary cancer in females, which was followed through 11 years.
The dogs were classified as intact , neutered before 6 months, neutered between 6 to 11 months, or neutered between 12 to 23 months and 2 to 8 years.
Findings included:
A Complete Guide To Spaying And Neutering Your German Shepherd
If you hear a group of people speaking about their dogs, then you will notice that spaying and neutering are spoken about as if they are common practice.
A lot of people just accept that this is what you should do, but is spaying or neutering your dog really the best thing for them?
There are lots of benefits to spaying or neutering your dog, including the fact that it stops hormone-related behavioral issues.
These behavioral issues tend to include the urge to run away, and aggressive tendencies. So, it is clear to see why so many people are tempted into getting their dog done.
However, there are some risks to neutering, and there are lots of things that you should know before you get this procedure done.
Including the fact, that your dog should never be neutered if it is under the age of 1 as it can lead to health issues.
In this complete guide, well be taking a look at exactly what neutering and spaying are, and also at the pros and cons of these procedures.
So, if you are considering getting your German Shepherd spayed or neutered, read this guide to help you decide.
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Neutering My German Shepherd
Im going to do it. Actually Im not going to do it, but my veterinarian is going to do it. Shes also going to do a gastropexy while she is at it, hopefully protecting him from torsion/bloat risk.
Its hard to decide to neuter a dog. With Tigerlily, I waited til she was 3 years old. She was a rare breed and in spite of how shy and prey driven she was, how she was really smaller than her siblings, I held onto that dumb desire to maybe breed her til she was three years old. She had a pretty miserable spaying procedure. Poor Tiger. I slept with her, holding a hot water bottle on her incision that night, and that helped. I wished I had spayed her earlier. Surgery doesnt get easier as they get older.
MOcean is 3 years old too now. I am getting him neutered because I am realizing, I never want to breed him. I guess it takes me 3 years to realize that. Too many people use shock/prong/choke on these dogs and I dont have a long list of people I would trust who want a GSD puppy. Also, a shock collar to teach him to avoid sexy coyotes seems like a worse training plan than neutering. As Denise Fenzi said, If someone told me I could never eat another meal again, and there was a way to get rid of my craving for food, it seems like a no-brainer.
What Age Should You Spay Or Neuter Your German Shepherd
Studies have shown that German Shepherds have increased health risks if spayed or neutered too early.
In their latest study, they evaluated nearly 1,200 German Shepherds over a 14.5 year period. They wanted to determine if those spayed and neutered early had more or less joint disease and cancer, which cost German Shepherd pet parents on average $2,683 in 2018 according to Petplan claims data.
The results were surprising:
- Dogs spayed or neutered before 1 year of age had three times the number of joint disorders.
- Breast cancer was diagnosed in 4% of intact females, compared with less than 1% in females neutered before 1 year of age.
- Instances of other cancers were not higher in the spayed and neutered dogs than in intact dogs.
- Urinary incontinence, not diagnosed in later spayed or intact females, was observed in 7% of females neutered before 1 year of age.
The trend of several studies is becoming clearer: Early spay and neuter may increase the risk of joint disease. Other studies have shown early sterilization may also increase pet obesity and subsequent joint disease and other problems.
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