Neutering dogs is often the best thing to do for the animals as well as the owner but the timings can vary. It is important to consider all the factors, including whether you would like to breed from your pet and what would be involved in this.
Male Dogs
There are advantages and disadvantage to castrating dogs,
The advantages of castration are;
Reduces the risk of prostatic disease in older age.
Can reduce aggression.
Less likely to wander to find bitches in season.
The disadvantages are;
Minor risk of the operation.
Can affect the coat of some dogs.
More prone to weight gain.
Female Dogs
We usually recommend that bitches are spayed either before their first season or 3 to 4 month after a season to ensure that there are no signs of false pregnancy.
Again there are advantages and disadvantages of spaying bitches,
The advantages of spaying are;
No unwanted pregnancies.
If spayed before or after the first season the risk of mammary tumours is reduced.
They do not get infections of the uterus - Pyometra, which will make your bitch very ill and they will require spaying to treat this condition, when they are unwell in themselves.
Stops the bitch from having false pregnancies that can vary from the bitch not quite being 100% to bitches that are very under the weather.