In the past, the decision to spay and neuter was done at a very young age , at four to six months. However, studies have shown that this may not be the best age to spay or neuter your dog. The relationship between sex hormones and canine health was not well-considered and understood decades ago when the early spay/neuter campaigns were started. 

In fact, studies have shown that for some dog breeds, neutering and spaying may be associated with the increased risks of certain health conditions such as joint disorders including hip or elbow dysplasia, cranial cruciate rupture or tear, and some cancers, such as lymphoma, mast cell tumor, hemangiosarcoma, and osteosarcoma. 

 Sex hormones are important in the development of any animal. We know they affect psychological development as well as the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and the immune system.

Different breeds and different sized dogs mature at different ages, which means that early spay/neuter may not be bad for ALL dogs. An age of six to nine months of age may be appropriate for neutering or spaying a toy or small breed puppy, but a larger or giant breeds may need to wait until they are near or over 12-18 months of age. It is also important to know that most vets will not recommend spaying a female dog when they are in heat as it may cause excessive bleeding. 

My opinion on the topic is that the best age to spay or neuter should no longer be the standard “six months of age” response that veterinarians have used as a guideline over the years, but rather tailored to the adult size of dog, especially if the dog is a big dog like a Rottweiler. 😊