Best Time To Spay Or Neuter A Gsd Dog
Many veterinary organizations do support the spaying and neutering of German Shepherds. But they always warn of the risks of this type of procedure. For this reason, they always advise German Shepherd owners what the recommended age for spaying or neutering is.
Depending on the age, you can reduce your German shepherds health problems. Because as mentioned above, there are many risks with this procedure, and many times, it is a problem.
German Shepherd Dogs that are neutered before the age of 1 year can cause knee problems. If you want to sterilize your German shepherd, you should first consult with your veterinarian, so you can study and learn all the most important aspects of the procedure.
Top Best Answers To The Question When To Spay A German Shepherd Puppy
Based on cancer risk, the best spay age is between 6 months and less than 2 years of age. Taking into account the risk for joint disorders, female-specific diseases, and associated cancers, the best age to spay a female German Shepherd is around 1 year old.
Those who are looking for an answer to the question «When to spay a german shepherd puppy?» often ask the followingquestions:
Some Behaviors Of German Shepherd After Neutering
Spaying German Shepherds can cause behavioral changes in your dog. German Shepherds after being spayed can become violent and aggressive towards people and other dogs. As a spayed German Shepherd ages, he is more likely to have brain disease similar to dementia. Its termed geriatric cognitive impairment. The implication is that he wont be able to recognize people such as your family and places like home. Hed also forget many things including all the training you have given him, like potty training. Spaying also modifies the sexual-based behaviors of dogs. As a result, they will no longer have strong sexual urges.
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How Long Does It Take For A German Shepherd To Recover From Surgery
A neutered/spayed German shepherd needs at least a month of no activity. Putting physical strain during recovery may result in complications. Monitor your German shepherds opening from the surgery.
The disadvantages of spaying female German Shepherds are similar to those of neutering males. They will no longer be able to reproduce and recent studies show that spayed females tend to be more aggressive towards people and other dogs. They can also be more fearful and sensitive to touch and handling. Nevertheless]
Discuss With Your Veterinarian
In light of the spay and neuter study along with the general care of a dog, there are things to consider and perhaps discuss with your veterinarian. These include:
- Does your dog have the potential for orthopedic concerns, and if so, would spaying or neutering increase the risk?
- Whats involved with caring for a female dog that is in heat or a fully intact male, and is that feasible with your lifestyle?
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Which Is Better A Gsd Or A German Shepherd
The female GSD may be easier to train and more sensitive to commands and cues. The female GSD may be a better pick for service dog or therapy dog work. The female German shepherd can be a better pick for rally, agility, and obedience training due to lighter weight, smaller size, and more graceful body structure.
When Is The Best Time To Spay Or Neuter Your Dog To Minimize Orthopedic Conditions
The approach of when to spay or neuter your pet has been controversial, and in some cases, is influenced by the country where you live. Its understandable why animal shelters and humane societies have embraced early spay-neuter programs, whose goal is to reduce the unwanted overpopulation of unowned dogs. But is that whats best for the dog, from an orthopedic point of view?
Recently, a study was published from the University of California-Davis that addressed this issue in 35 breeds of dogs. Although the article also addressed cancer and urinary incontinence, I will focus on the joint conditions in this blog. Specifically, they looked at the most common developmental joint problems, including hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament disease, and elbow dysplasia. They pointed out that previous studies have shown that spaying or neutering Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherd Dogs before 1 year of age was associated with a 2-4 times increased risk of joint disorders compared to intact dogs. The risk was especially pronounced if they were altered by 6 months of age. Wow!
In this study they looked at other breeds, including small breeds of dogs. They evaluated medical records of the selected breeds and looked at the information for dogs that were neutered or spayed at less than 6 months, 6-11 months, 12-24 months, 2-8 years, or left intact. Conditions were tracked until their last hospital visit, or until 11 years of age.
Abstract
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Reasons To Consider All Options Before Spaying Or Neutering A Puppy
Dr. Benjamin Hart of the University of California, Davis, has been researching the effects of spay-neuter for a decade, with support from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. His first paper on the subject, published in 2013, revealed that Golden Retrievers that had been spayed or neutered had a correlation of being three or four times more likely to develop certain cancers, including lymphosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma, and also more likely to develop joint problems such as hip dysplasia and damage to the cranial cruciate ligament. The team later published data on German Shepherd Dogs and Labrador Retrievers, finding that early spaying and neutering had varying effects on these dogs likelihood to develop joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence.
And when it comes to dogs weighing more than 20 kilos, the study found that the impact of early spay-neuter varies hugely across breeds and sexes. For instance, since most small dogs didnt experience higher rates of the studied cancers and joint problems, Dr. Hart conjectured that at the other end of the scale, Great Danes might suffer them at a high rate. Yet he found that the gentle giants had no increase in joint disorders after early spay-neuter. That was completely unexpected, Dr. Hart told me.
Whats The Best Age To Spay Or Neuter Your Dog
Typically, weâd like to see female pets spayed before their first heat cycle, so in the past, weâve recommended that pets get spayed and neutered around 6 months of age.
If you can prevent unwanted pregnancy, wait as long as possible before sterilization. For most of my patients, this means around 10 to 14 months of age.
But, as we advance veterinary medicine, we are realizing that this blanket approach is not always best for every pet. Here are some other factors to consider:
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Risks Associated With Neutering Before A Year
As I mentioned earlier, the reasoning behind neutering a dog before a year seems sound. A neutered dog has less testosterone and therefore less of a drive and less aggressive behavior.
However, testosterone doesnt control only sex drive and aggressive behavior, it is an important hormone that regulates growth, muscle fiber, and other important developmental factors.
Neutering a GSD before proper development has been linked with a host of serious health issues. Lets take a look at each of these problems.
The German Shepherd Personality And Temperament
Your GSD of either gender is very intelligent. This is one of the most intelligent of all dog breeds! Your German shepherd has an incredibly strong work ethic with tremendous drive and focus while on the job.
Your GSD will bond strongly with at least one and perhaps several family members. To your GSD, you are your dogs life!
Your GSD is far too intelligent and sensitive to tolerate anything but positive training methods that focus on delivering praise, playtime, pets, and treats in response to well-learned tasks and commands. Negative training will likely increase this breeds tendency towards aggression or hostility when poorly handled.
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Where Do We Stand
As you know, we at Roches German Shepherds are one of the premier breeders of pedigree GSD puppies. We take pride in our dogs and work with numerous dog professionals. Our primary veterinarian, Dr. Marty Greer, is well regarded in the industry for her special interest in pediatrics and reproduction . Through numerous discussions and research, we recommend waiting a minimum of one full year before spaying or neutering your German Shepherd puppy. For female GSD puppies, we advocate spaying after they have gone through one heat cycle.
When Is The Best Time To Spay Or Neuter My German Shepherd Dog
Its hard to know when to spay or neuter or if you should at all. Heres the best veterinary advice for your German Shepherd Dog.
So youve decided to spay or neuter your German Shepherd but when?
Often called getting your dog Fixed or Done , the majority of dogs have this minor procedure performed upon them at a young age. Usually on a veterinary recommendation.
I know when Indie was little, I was told: Six months, on the dot which is common advice given across America and Europe. If you ask the Internet usually recommendations say later and say a minimum of twelve months.
But is that even right? Or is it founded in any sort of science?
Not likely
I know when Indie was little, I was told: Six months, on the dot
Ali Smith
With this conflicting information, how are you meant to know? Trust your vet? Do as your family has always done? Or trust the rando on the internet who appears to know it all.
None of that seems to be a good idea when the potential consequences of these procedures are rumoured to be some of the scariest diseases and ailments a dog can face Cancer, Hip or Elbow Dysplasia, and other rotten afflictions like pyometra. All of this as the result of removing the availability of hormonesLuckily, research has come forward which is not just size specific, but breed-specific for 35 breeds! So, here were going to discuss the ideal times for spaying or neutering your dog.
First, lets do a little housekeeping
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How Old Should A German Shepherd Be To Spay
Many veterinary researchers suggest that a German shepherd be neutered or spayed if theyre over 6-month old but not more than 1-year of age.
This is so that they will be developed enough to withstand the risks. Plus, statistics prove this theory.
Research shows that German shepherds neutered or spayed before 6 months have higher risks of joint problems. Additionally, dogs 1 year and older that have undergone the procedure have higher risks of cancer.
It is also possible that they will exhibit behavioral issues after the procedure. For example, a male dogs aggression after neuter will be longer and more extreme than normal
However, theres no denying that there is no one size fits all answer for the question, When to neuter or spay a German shepherd?. Different German shepherds will require a unique time.
Either way, you need to know how you can help your German shepherd in their recovery.
When Will My German Shepherd Calm Down After Neutering
Generally speaking, as long as a German Shepherd has no preexisting behavioral issues, his behavior will slowly calm down over the course of a few months after being neutered. However, in some dogs, this process can take several years to have a noticeable effect.
Testosterone in the bloodstream of a German Shepherd is strongly connected to how aggressive the dog may be. Every dog has an aggression threshold, and this comes into play with German Shepherds more so than many other breeds because of their large size and destructive capability.
While it cannot be precisely measured, a dogs aggression threshold is that tipping point where a dog will no longer stand down and then aggressively engage with other people or animals, especially other dogs. A dogs aggression threshold also influences the length of time that a dog takes to calm down after its aggression levels have been raised.
Neutering will work to calm a German Shepherds aggressive tendencies by significantly reducing the dogs testosterone levels. While the reduction in testosterone often reduces a dogs aggressive tendencies, it may also have the effect of reducing a dogs confidence, which may then turn into another behavioral issue altogether.
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How Old Does A German Shepherd Have To Be To Have Degenerative Myelopathy
Definition Canine Degenerative Myelopathy is a progressive degeneration of the spinal cord. It usually affects adult GSDs between 8 to 14 years of age. Some are affected as early as 5 to 6 years of age. Affected GSDs develop a loss of coordination of the hind limbs.
It is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. As your dog begins to age, it will become essential to accommodate their needs. Many older German Shepherds will have hip problems.
Misconceptions Aboutspaying And Neutering
It is not immediately effective.
After neutering, it will take some time before a GermanShepherd male is completely infertile. Keep a newly neutered male away fromfemale dogs for approximately 2 to 4 weeks to avoid unplanned litters.
It is not a quick fix for aggression or behavioral problems.
Some people decide to spay or neuter their German Shepherds when they begin to see signs of aggression, thinking that sterilization would offer an easy fix.
However, aggression could be caused by a number of factors including genes, environment, poor training, improper socialization, and illness.
It does not make your German Shepherd overweight.
Studies show that spayed and neutered dogs are less energetic. This causes people to think that sterilization makes them prone to obesity. However, this is easily controlled through proper food portions and ample exercise.
It doesnt leave your dog with an identity crisis
Dogs dont feel that they are less masculine or feminine after sterilization. This is because they dont have the same social beliefs about gender as human beings do. Accordingly, spaying or neutering doesnt leave them with a gender or identity crisis.
It doesnt make your German Shepherd less protective.
German Shepherds are naturally protective of their homes and families regardless of whether or not theyve been altered. Protectiveness is an instinct thats not affected by the presence or absence of reproductive parts.
Its still important in single-dog homes.
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What Might Be The Best Age To Get A German Shepherd Spayed Or Neutered Based On The Case Study Data
This is only speculation based on case study data, but it could be:
A female dog might be spayed at less than one years old if you want to decrease the risk of mammary cancer
A male dog might be neutered at older than one year old if you want to decrease the risk of Hip dysplasia
Talk to your vet about what is best for your individual dog and make the decision based on the data you provide and your vets professional opinion.
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Home û Health/Care û German Shepherd Neutering & Spaying: Info Guide
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Is Neutering A German Shepherd Necessary
While neutering a GSD is not necessary, it can, amongst other benefits, work to address behavioral issues before they start, as well as lessen the likelihood of certain diseases and disorders. Below we have listed a number of benefits that can be gained from neutering a GSD at the proper age.
Behavioral issues: This applies especially to male dogs. Studies have been shown that when a dog is neutered at a young age, that aggressive behavior is not as prevalent when the dog gets older.
Aggressive behavior here also includes a dogs infamous leg humping, and even the humping of inanimate objects. Weve all had that uncomfortable moment when our GSD has tried to do this to a guest, so neutering can lessen this behavior.
Genetic diseases: Neutering can also prevent the spread of bad genes. If a dog is born with less than optimal genes, if he then mates and spreads those genes, the result will be more dogs with the same genetic disposition.
This includes conditions like hip dysplasia and cryptorchidism. So be aware that even if your dog is as lovely as can be and is the perfect pet for you, if it has a genetic condition that negatively affects its health, neutering will prevent his genes from being passed on to any offspring.
Injuries and accidents: When a male dog is intact, as mentioned above, he will be on the scent and lookout for females to mate with. This often leads to issues with male dogs escaping from enclosures or just wandering away when they otherwise would not.
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Do Female Dogs Change After Being Spayed
When a dog enters heat, the hormones in her body change. This fluctuation can cause some dogs to become irritable or stressed, and may cause her to act out. Once a female is spayed, behavior tends to be more level and consistent. An unspayed female dogs hormones may also cause her to display guarding behavior.