Importance of Neutering and Spaying

Unless you plan a responsible breeding program and are certain you can place the puppies from such a program, neutering and spaying are recommended to avoid the serious problem of unwanted puppies.

Female puppies can be spayed at any time after six months of age. Spaying prior to the first estrus cycle helps minimize the risk of uterine infections and mammary tumors common in older unspayed females.

Neutering the male dog can be done at six months of age or any age thereafter. A neutered dog will be more content to stay at home and will not wander in search of females in season, making a better companion.

Some people believe that when dogs are neutered or spayed they always become fat. If this is the case, it is usually because they are calmer and less active - and they overeat relative to their lower caloric requirement. In some cases, this might lead to obesity. A close monitoring of their diet (eliminating table scraps and, if necessary, reducing the amount of dog food offered) and regular exercise will help them maintain good body condition.