Veterinary Hospital Rockwall Answers When You Can Have Your Pet Dog Neutered

Dog owners have differing opinions on whether the dog should be neutered or not. Neutering is often the option of responsible dog owners that are aware of the tragic plight of stray dogs – of the animals considered as man’s best friends that have to be put to sleep for being homeless. Dog lovers would not hesitate to support the program of minimizing the number of homeless dogs.

Neutering, a surgical procedure that is done on a dog to remove the testicles has the prime purpose of preventing reproduction. 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.

However, dog owners have many reservations on the right time to neuter the dog . Neutering has many unfounded beliefs. Many owners believe that if the dog is neutered at an early age the physical development as well as the personality of the dog will be affected.

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. Dog experts assert that these notions regarding neutering are untrue. The dog’s personality and physical development will not be affected if the dog is neutered before it has attained puberty. So what is the right age to neuter the pet?

Actually, a dog can be neutered at any age but of course this does not apply to newborn puppies. 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. Dogs at any age can be neutered as long as the testicles have descended but ideally, the procedure must be done before the dog has attained sexual maturity. A Shih Tzu or any other toy breeds can be neutered at six months as these breed gain sexual maturity early. Dog experts recommend neutering large breeds at about 1 year of age as Great Danes, GSD and other large dogs take longer to mature sexually.