At What Age Can You Have Your Pet Dog Neutered
Deciding to neuter the dog or not is a difficult decision for a dog owner. Dog owners have varied reasons for neutering the dog but the most common reason is to reduce the population of unwanted and homeless dogs. It is a dog owner’s responsibility to make sure that the pet would not contribute to the population of stray dogs.
To prevent reproduction, the testicles of the dog are surgically removed. But aside from this purpose, neutering is done to give the dog a healthier, a happier and a longer life. Healthier - because a neutered dog will not be open to the risk of testicle cancer. The hormone level of a neutered dog is controlled thus bad behavior that is associated with mood swings will be controlled as well. Neutering is said to give a dog longer life as aside from minimizing the risks for some health concerns, neutered dogs have no inclination to roam thus accidents that can lead to the death of the pet is avoided.
The benefits of neutering a dog is established but dog owners still have doubts on the right time to have the pet neutered . Neutering a dog is surrounded by many myths. Neutering done at an early age is believed to have a significant impact on the personality and physical growth of the pet.
There is also a notion that if neutering is done before puberty the dog will not make an outstanding companion as the playful and affectionate nature will be obliterated. These beliefs though are unfounded. The personality and the physical development of the dog will not be affected at all. What is the best age to neuter the dog?
Except for newborn puppies, dogs can be neutered anytime. Pets that are obtained from the breeder will know the right age of the dog but this will not be possible if the dog is adopted from a shelter. A dog is never too old for neutering but dog experts tell us that the ideal age will be before the dog reaches sexual maturity as long as the testicles has fully descended. Small dog breeds attain full maturity at six months of age thus at this time a Shih Tzu or some breeds of terriers can already be neutered. Large breeds are best neutered at about 1 year of age as these dogs take longer to attain sexual maturity.
Learn more about at what age your dog can be neutered as well as behaviour, health and dog first aid at Sarah’s Dogs.
