Decision-Making on Recommended Age of Spay/Neuter for a Specific Dog

Many dogs and cats were euthanized in US animal shelters through the 1940s, sharply declining in the 1980s. Early age neutering of young cats and dogs grew frequent in the 1990s; adoptions from shelters increased, leading to a decline in shelter euthanasia of dogs. Several publications, beginning in 2013, revealed heightened risks of joint disorders and some cancers for some dog breeds when neutered at young ages. These risks are breed-, gender-, and body-size specific and related to neutering age. Current guidelines suggest making a personalized decision for each dog's neutering age. Recommendations are presented for 40 breeds and mixed-breed weight classes.