What age should a great dane be spayed

[From Tufts March 2010 Issue]

Q: What is the medically recommended time to neuter a large breed?

We have had Great Danes for several years. Most have been males neutered at about 6 months. Recently, we have heard breeders and others say this age is too young for large-breed dogs. They say neutering them this early causes them to grow taller and not fill out. Our male is 18 months old and was neutered at 6 months. He now is 36 inches tall at the shoulders and barely tips the scale at 140 pounds. [The Great Dane Club of America includes no weight requirements in its standard, but other sources list weight for males at 135 to 170 pounds and height of 33 to 36 inches.]

Charlie Cadman
Enfield, Connecticut

A: Several studies have looked at the effects of neutering at 8 to16 weeks versus 6 months. They indicate early neutering is not associated with increased mortality, or serious health or behavioral problems when compared to neutering at the conventional age of 6 months.

But the studies do not answer your questions: What is the effect of neutering at 18 versus 6 months of age, and what is the difference in conformation – the look of the dog – when neutered at different ages?

Unfortunately, no studies answer these questions, and my recommendations are subjective and unconfirmed. It is true intact male dogs look different than neutered males. The effects of testosterone on increased muscling – and behavior – are usually obvious. However, testosterone levels drop after neutering and the muscling effects disappear.

From a health standpoint, I cannot make a strong recommendation whether neutering at 6 or 18 months is superior. Dogs of both ages should be able to safely undergo anesthesia, and the long-term effects of being exposed to testosterone for only one year are likely minimal. The effects of castration on cancer are controversial. Two studies so far have shown an increased risk of prostatic cancer when dogs are neutered at a young age. This is contrary to what is commonly believed.

If a dog develops aggression and/or territorial defensiveness, will these disappear after neutering? In many cases they are improved after castration, but I wonder if early neuter may prevent their development in the first place.

So my opinion is that you may neuter at any age when your dog can be safely anesthetized. Until newer information becomes available, my standard recommendation for owners of both small and large-breed dogs is the same: Neuter at 6 months.

Michael Stone, DVM,
ACVIM(Small animal internal medicine)
Cummings School

Great Danes should be spayed or neutered at 6 to 8 months of age. Some female Danes may be able to wait until they are 9 to 12 months old, but most should be spayed or neutered by this age. There are a few reasons for this. First, by the time a female Dane is 6 to 8 months old, she has completed her reproductive development and is ready for surgery. Second, Danes are very active and may be running around and having lots of fun, but they are not yet physically mature and their bodies are not fully developed. Third, Danes have a long life span, and the chances of them getting pregnant again increase as they get older.

Intro

To answer the question, when should great danes get spayed or neutered, we recommend that they be done by the age of 6 to 8 months. This is because by this age, a Dane has completed her reproductive development and is ready for surgery. Additionally, Danes have a long life span and the chances of them getting pregnant again increase as they get older.

Should You Spay a Great Dane

There are a few reasons why spaying/neutering a Dane is a good idea. For one, it can help to reduce the number of unwanted litters of puppies. Dane owners who have their pets neutered/spayed often find that they no longer have to deal with numerous messes and are able to keep their Dane in better physical condition. Additionally, both male and female Danes can live healthy and productive lives without reproductive organs.

There are some potential down sides to having your Dane spayed/neutered, however. First of all, the surgery is often quite expensive. Secondly, spaying/neutering a Dane may cause her to develop certain health problems if she is not properly treated afterwards. Finally, some people believe that spaying/neutering a Dane may reduce the dog’s natural instinct to protect her territory.

Ultimately, the decision whether or not to spay/neuter a Dane is a personal one and should be based on the individual dog’s history and current health condition as well as your own personal beliefs and preferences.

Do Female Dogs Change After Being Spayed

When a female dog enters heat, the hormones in her body change. This fluctuation can cause some dogs to become irritable or stressed, and may cause her to act out. Once a female is spayed, her hormones tend to be more level and consistent. The unspayed female dog’s hormones may also cause her to display guarding behavior.

What Age Does a Great Dane Go Into Heat

My Great Dane, Ace, was just over a year old when she started her first heat cycle. She was always a bit more active than the other dogs at the dog park, and I had always wondered if she was just going through her puppy stages.

Ace started displaying more territorial behaviors and would start growling at other dogs if they got too close. She also started having a lot of blood-soaked accidents, which I thought was strange because she had always been a very clean dog.

Finally, I realized that Ace was in her heat cycle and that it was time to get her checked out by the vet. When the vet examined her, she found that Ace was having regular heat cycles and that she was about 18 months old when her first heat cycle occurred.

Now that I know what to look for, I can usually tell when Ace is in her heat cycle by her behavior. She will be more territorial and will have a lot of bloody accidents. Most importantly, she will be very interested in mating and will often try to mount or hump me when we’re playing together.

Why You Should Not Spay Your Dog

There are some good reasons to spay your dog, but there are also some reasons why you should not do it. One reason is that spaying your dog can increase the risk of some kinds of cancer, and there are also some other risks associated with the surgery. Plus, there are other ways to control your dog’s reproductive hormones that don’t involve surgery. And finally, there are some benefits to neutering your dog that aren’t related to cancer or other health risks.

How Often Should I Walk My Great Dane

I love my great Dane, Monty, and I always make sure to give him a good daily walk. He loves to run around and explore his surroundings, and a good walk helps keep him mentally and physically healthy. I usually go for a walk around the block, but depending on the weather, Monty might get a longer walk if the weather is nice. I love the sense of satisfaction I get from knowing that I’m helping Monty stay healthy and happy.

Why Does My Great Dane Whine All the Time

Some people say that Dane puppies whine because they’re always so busy exploring their surroundings. They’re always trying to figure out what’s going on and what they can do next. They may also be trying to get someone’s attention.

Some people think that Dane puppies whine because they’re feeling stressed out. It can be hard to adjust to a new home and new family, and when things are tough, Dane puppies may whine to get someone’s attention.

Some people think that Dane puppies whine because they’re in pain. Dane puppies are big and strong, but they’re still puppies. They may not be able to do things on their own yet, and when they’re trying to do something they’re not used to, they may whine to ask for help.

Are Unspayed Female Dogs More Aggressive

1. Once a female is spayed, behavior tends to be more level and consistent.

2. If there are other pets in the house, especially other male or female dogs, unspayed females may show certain forms of aggression like fighting for the attention of male dogs.

3. Spaying can reduce or eliminate the instinct to fight.

4. Spaying can also help reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections in female dogs.

5. Spaying can also reduce the incidence of certain types of cancer in female dogs.

6. Finally, spaying can help reduce the number of litters a female dog will produce.

7. Spaying can also reduce the amount of aggression a female dog may display towards other animals or people.

Does Spaying Help With Potty Training

When your dog is born, his uterus and ovaries are removed. This is called spaying. It is important to spay your dog before she has any litters (pets that are born alive). This is because when your dog has litters, she may not be able to give birth naturally, and her puppies may be born with problems (like being deaf or having a tail that is always tucked between their legs).

When your dog is spayed, she no longer will be able to have litters, and she will not be able to get pregnant again. This means that she will not be able to have any more puppies.

There are many reasons why it is important to spay your dog. One reason is that it is important to stop her from being able to have litters. Another reason is that it is important to reduce the number of dogs in shelters. Spaying also can help stop your dog from being a problem in the community.

How Do I Get My Great Dane to Listen

I had been trying to get my great dane to listen to me for weeks. I would give him a command, and he would either not listen or he would do something else instead. I was getting really frustrated. I didn’t know what to do.

Then one day, I decided to try a different approach. I sat down next to him and started petting him. He seemed to like it, so I kept petting him until he was calm. After a few minutes, I finally got him to listen to me.

When Should a Female Dog Be Spayed

When should a female dog be spayed?

There is general consensus among veterinarians that a female dog should be spayed between the ages of 4 to 6 months, which is when her sex organs are fully developed but she has not yet experienced her first heat cycle. During this time, a female puppy may become pregnant. By spaying her before she has a chance to become pregnant, the chances of developing any health problems from having a litter are greatly reduced. Furthermore, by spaying a female dog before her first heat cycle, she will not experience the intense hormonal changes that lead to increased aggression and other undesirable behaviors in some female dogs.

What Happens if You Neuter a Dog Too Early

There are many benefits to spaying and neutering your dog, but there are also risks. When a dog is spayed or neutered before their sexual maturity, they lose bone mass. As a result, they are twice as likely to develop bone cancer. Additionally, early spay/neuter can cause undesirable behavioral issues, such as phobias, fear aggression, and reactivity. When these issues occur in later life, it can be very hard to treat. Overall, there are many benefits to spaying and neutering your dog, but it is important to weigh the risks and benefits carefully before making a decision.

What Happens if I Dont Neuter My Dog

1. Neutering your dog reduces aggression.

2. If your male dog is not neutered, he will continue to produce testosterone, which can make him more aggressive.

3. The biggest worry about not having your dog neutered is that they are more likely to get cancer, which could shorten their life.

4. It is important to neuter your dog to reduce aggression and to keep them healthy.

What Is Harlequin Great Dane

1. Harlequin Great Danes have a pattern of dark patches on a white background.

2. This pattern is caused by the interaction of the Merle and Harlequin genes.

3. Harlequin Great Danes are beautiful and unique.

4. They are a symbol of strength and power.

5. Harlequin Great Danes are often used in breeding programs because of their unique appearance.

6. Anyone who has a Harlequin Great Dane is proud to have one!

Conclusion

Once a female Dane has been spayed or neutered, the surgery is considered complete and the Dane will no longer be able to get pregnant. Female Danes who have had surgery will continue to have regular check-ups to make sure that there is no sign of cancer or other problems.

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