A University of Georgia study, based on the medical records of more than 70,000 animal patients, found that the life expectancy of neutered male dogs was 13.8% longer and that of spayed female dogs was 26.3% longer.
Desexing reduces or eliminates common life-limiting diseases of the female reproductive system such as pyometra and mammary tumors, while no analogous effect exists in males. Disease risks increases across sexes and breeds include cruciate ligament rupture, various cancers, and obesity.
Will my dog live longer? On average dogs who are spayed or neutered live one and a half years longer than those who are not. Typically, dogs who are not fixed live to be about 8 years of age, where fixed dogs average about nine and a half years.
Neutering keeps your dog healthier. A final positive aspect of neutering your dog is that neutered pets tend to have fewer health problems. Neutering is the removal of the testicles. Without these organs, testicular cancer is no longer a concern and the risk of prostate problems is reduced.
It's a commonly held belief that desexing a puppy changes its personality. This is a myth. While your puppy's personality remains completely intact after a sterilisation procedure, desexing eliminates many behaviours that you won't want them to display.
Male dogs need to be desexed, especially if they are not breeding animals. The most important reason for doing this is the prevention of testicular cancer. Desexing a male dog also reduces his chances of getting prostate disease, as well as behavioural problems such as aggression, dominance, and marking territory.
The recommended age to neuter a male dog is between six and nine months. However, some pet owners have this procedure done at four months. Smaller dogs reach puberty sooner and can often have the procedure done sooner. Larger breeds may need to wait longer in order to properly develop before being neutered.
Increased health risks: While both spaying and neutering come with certain health benefits, they also can lead to a higher risk of other ailments. Some studies indicate older dogs have an increased risk of cruciate ligament rupture, hip dysplasia, incontinence, and tumor development after neutering or spaying.
The suggested guideline for males is neutering beyond 6 months of age. Given the increased cancer risk for females spayed at a year of age, the suggested guideline is delaying spaying until beyond 2 years of age.
The average lifespan for dogs is between 10-13 years, though there is variability among breeds and sizes. As a species, the domestic dog is incredibly diverse in size, build, and appearance, thanks to human intervention.
Health advantages associated with NOT desexing
A reduced risk of prostatic adenocarcinoma in intact male dogs compared to desexed male dogs. A reduced risk of obesity in intact male and female dogs and cats, which may be due at least partly to increased metabolic rate.
In addition to preventing unwanted litters, desexing may result in a positive behavioural change in your dog. Desexing may also minimise the chance of your dog developing reproductive organ related health issues that may have otherwise been detrimental to your dog's life.
Studies have concluded that neutering before puberty increases a dog's risk of: Cardiac tumors. Bone cancer. Prostate cancer.
While castration does not calm dogs down, it can reduce testosterone-driven actions such as mounting behaviour. It may increase a dog's focus or concentration.
It is widely – and falsely – believed that neutering “calms a dog down”. However, an adult or adolescent dog's basic temperament is relatively independent of testosterone, and neutering won't make any significant changes to his intelligence or personality.
Most controlled scientific studies on this question (and there have been many!) show that whether a dog is spayed or neutered has no impact at all on the likelihood that they will be aggressive in any given circumstance.
The discomfort caused by spay or neuter surgeries lasts for just a few days and should be completely gone after about a week. If your pet is experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a couple of days it's a good idea to contact your vet for further advice.
How long does it take a male dog to recover from neutering? With proper care, the healing process will take approximately two weeks. Most pet parents are surprised to find out how quickly their male dogs recover from this safe and effective procedure. A smooth recovery process starts with a reliable veterinarian.
Dog desexing costs between $200 and $500 – but you should typically pay under $300. It's also usually slightly cheaper to get a male dog desexed than a female but costs differ depending on the vet you go to: Victoria: Lower Plenty Vet Clinic - From $230 (female) - $250 (male) NSW: RSPCA NSW - $200-$500 (male or female)
So, in summary, desexed male dogs will be easier to keep home, more loyal, less prone to prostate problems, and less likely to be involved in fights. The only real reason not to desex a female dog is that she will be unable to have puppies. A common fallacy is that desexed dogs get fat and lazy.
Chihuahuas. The longest living breed comes in small packages. They need little exercise and live on average up to 17 years.
Australian Cattle Dogs
Bluey, an Australian cattle dog, entered the Guinness Book of World Records by living to the ripe old age of 29 years and 5 months, setting the record for oldest dog ever.