Our vision on spaying and neutering the Australian Shepherd
Based on experience, breed knowledge and long-term wellbeing
Spaying or neutering a dog before it is fully developed can have a negative impact on growth, hormonal balance and long-term health.
Although it may sometimes seem convenient to “get it over with quickly”, recent research highlights the following concerns:
1️⃣ Risks to skeletal development
Studies show that dogs spayed or neutered before the age of 12 months have an increased risk of hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament injuries and arthritis.
Bones continue to grow for a longer period than nature intended, which increases the risk of injuries.
2️⃣ Increased risk of certain cancers
Certain types of cancer, such as hemangiosarcoma and osteosarcoma, occur up to four times more frequently in dogs that are spayed or neutered at a young age.
3️⃣ Behavioural changes
Hormones play an important role in confidence and emotional stability.
Early removal can lead to increased insecurity, anxiety-related behaviour or other behavioural issues.
4️⃣ Impact on coat quality and thermoregulation
(especially in double-coated breeds)
In dogs with a double coat, spaying or neutering can lead to permanent coat changes.
The coat often becomes softer, denser and less functional, causing the natural insulating and ventilating properties to be lost.
As a result, dogs may have more difficulty cooling themselves and can be more prone to overheating during warmer periods.
5️⃣ Impact on longevity
Research suggests that early spaying or neutering may reduce life expectancy by one to two years.
6️⃣ Is spaying or neutering always necessary?
In many cases, the answer is: no, not necessarily.
A healthy dog without a medical indication does not automatically require surgical intervention.
Responsible management, proper guidance and knowledge of canine behaviour and reproductive cycles can often prevent many issues.
For female dogs where concerns about uterine infection (pyometra) play a role, there is also the option of removing only the uterus while preserving the ovaries.
This allows natural hormone production to remain intact while eliminating the risk of pyometra.
This procedure is less common and not performed by every veterinarian, but with the right expertise it can be a valuable alternative.
I therefore do not advocate for “early intervention at all costs”, but for conscious, individual decisions tailored to the dog.
When surgery is considered, waiting until the dog is physically and hormonally mature (usually between 12 and 18 months, depending on the breed) is essential.
Your dog’s health and wellbeing are not short-term solutions, but an investment in long-term quality of life. 🌟
Let us choose thoughtful, animal-centred decisions together.
Important nuance
My vision is based on many years of experience specifically with the Australian Shepherd.
This is not a general criticism of veterinary medicine, but a breed-specific observation.
In practice, I see that fear-based arguments such as pyometra and mammary tumours are often used to advocate for early spaying.
While these conditions do exist, the risks are, in my opinion, frequently overestimated — especially in young, healthy females without medical indication.
What often receives far less attention are the long-term consequences of early hormonal intervention: issues affecting coat quality, behaviour, joints, metabolism and thermoregulation — particularly in breeds like the Australian Shepherd with a double coat and a sensitive hormonal balance.
For this reason, I do not believe in standardised or fear-driven solutions, but in individual assessment, responsible management and honest education.
Not every dog needs to be altered “just in case”.
And when there is a medical reason, less invasive alternatives may sometimes exist that better respect the dog’s wellbeing.
My guiding principle remains: the dog always pays the price for human convenience — which is why I consciously choose restraint.
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Canine Compass – Where calm sets the direction