Know the best age to neuter your dog. Illustration: Petepop
A new study from the University of California UC Davis in the United States found that some dog breeds have a higher risk of developing cancer or joint disorders if the animals are neutered before one year of age.
However, according to Dr. Benjamin Hart, emeritus professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, there is no single rule regarding the best age to neuter a dog.
According to the website PetGuide, the study, published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, analyzed data from 35 dog breeds collected over 15 years and found that some of them may develop health problems if neutered “early.”
The research team sought to determine whether the age at which a dog is neutered, its breed, or even its gender was related to certain joint disorders, such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia, and to some types of cancer – lymphoma, bone cancer, cancer in the walls of blood vessels, for example.
The research showed that larger dogs are more vulnerable to joint problems, but surprisingly, dogs of the Great Dane or Irish Wolfhound breeds did not show a higher risk of these diseases. The study also indicated that smaller pets, whether neutered or not, are less susceptible to cancer. However, dogs of the Boston Terrier and Shih Tzu breeds experienced a significant increase in cancer cases with neutering.
Furthermore, the gender of the animal can make a difference when it comes to sterilization and health. Female Boston Terriers neutered at six months did not show a higher chance of developing cancer or joint disorders compared to unneutered dogs. On the other hand, males of the same breed neutered before one year of age did show a significant increase in risk.
Previous research suggests that neutering Golden Retrievers increases their risk of developing cancer from 5% to 15%. In the United States, many pet owners choose to neuter their pets. This is often a requirement for adopting dogs from shelters. Before making this decision, talk to your dog’s veterinarian.
If you are interested in consulting the specific results for each of the 35 breeds to find out the best age to neuter your dog, you can find them here.
Illustration: Petepop. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
