May 02, 2025
Your advice on neutering is WRONG!
Full Question:
I just listened to Ed's video about your advice to the lady whose veterinarian recommended to neuter her GSD at 10 months as it stopped growing. I only agreed with Ed on one thing -- that this Vet was a moron. He said that vets should stick to what they know -- i.e., medical related areas -- this is no true -- many don't even know their medical stuff. I strongly disagree that you and him recommend to neuter a dog after it matured. The research on this matter is clear - there is no health benefits of neutering male dogs. The research is less clear regarding spading of female dogs -- it is 50/50 benefit/risk, but I would error on the side of nature and not spade a female dog. Of course, there are practical implications with female dogs and heat cycles that may be a consideration for some people.
You provided some good advice to me in the past, so I am just trying to return a favor ;-)
Cindy's Answer:
We don't recommend neutering dogs, what we do say is that IF you have or plan to spay or neuter wait until the dog is completely mature or as long as possible. I'm not sure which video you are referring to but if Ed did say to neuter a dog I think it was in response to the person who wrote in. IF you must neuter, wait for mental and physical maturity.
I worked in vet med for 15 years and we bred German Shepherds and Malinois for decades so I have seen the issues that arise from pediatric neuters as well as some of the medical emergencies that do require spay or neutering.
After having a couple of females with pyometra and having two close friends that had to do emergency neuters for dogs that had retained one testicle and had a torsion I will never say never. Both pyometra and testicular torsion are life-threatening. Extremely enlarged prostates in older males can completely impede the dog's ability to urinate or defecate which can also be a medical emergency so I feel everyone should weigh the risks and benefits and leave their dog intact if possible but be aware of the issues that may crop up as the dog matures and ages. My dog Rush needed to be neutered at age 10 for this reason. He would never have been neutered if this hadn't happened but it was a medical emergency and he was in great distress.
I just had a discussion with a friend last week about this, too, Her GSD male had testicular cancer and was neutered at age 8. Her two current dogs are aged 10 and 11 and are still intact but she gets them examined regularly
So as I said before, I'll never say never when it comes to neutering or spaying. I avoid doing it if I can, most definitely and I encourage anyone who contacts me to do their research and make the right decision for their dog.
Anyway, if you have the idea that we recommend neutering "just because" that's simply not the case. My intact male GSD is lying here in my office right now.
I worked in vet med for 15 years and we bred German Shepherds and Malinois for decades so I have seen the issues that arise from pediatric neuters as well as some of the medical emergencies that do require spay or neutering.
After having a couple of females with pyometra and having two close friends that had to do emergency neuters for dogs that had retained one testicle and had a torsion I will never say never. Both pyometra and testicular torsion are life-threatening. Extremely enlarged prostates in older males can completely impede the dog's ability to urinate or defecate which can also be a medical emergency so I feel everyone should weigh the risks and benefits and leave their dog intact if possible but be aware of the issues that may crop up as the dog matures and ages. My dog Rush needed to be neutered at age 10 for this reason. He would never have been neutered if this hadn't happened but it was a medical emergency and he was in great distress.
I just had a discussion with a friend last week about this, too, Her GSD male had testicular cancer and was neutered at age 8. Her two current dogs are aged 10 and 11 and are still intact but she gets them examined regularly
So as I said before, I'll never say never when it comes to neutering or spaying. I avoid doing it if I can, most definitely and I encourage anyone who contacts me to do their research and make the right decision for their dog.
Anyway, if you have the idea that we recommend neutering "just because" that's simply not the case. My intact male GSD is lying here in my office right now.
User Response:
Ok, thank you for clarification. Ed seemed to recommend neutering after the dog matured. Of course, if it is medically necessary, I would neuter, but not as a matter of "preventive care" -- we cannot remove every organ that can get cancer. I heard many vets recommend neutering for this reason -- this is crazy.
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