Neutering or Spaying Your Australian Shepherd: Pros and Cons

Should I Neuter or Spay My Australian Shepherd?

Neutering or spaying your Australian Shepherd is an important decision. For Australian Shepherd owners, deciding whether to neuter (castrate) male dogs or spay (ovariohysterectomy) female dogs is an important decision with considerations on both sides. There are health effects, behavioral impacts, and risks to weigh when deciding if and when to neuter or spay your Aussie.

This article will provide a thorough overview of the current research on the potential pros and cons of neutering and spaying for Australian Shepherds specifically. We will look at impacts on health, cancer risks, joint disorders, obedience and aggression, hormone-related conditions, and other considerations. Using evidence-based research assists owners in making the best choice for their individual dog’s needs.

Defining Neutering and Spaying

First, let’s clearly define what veterinary surgeons mean by neutering and spaying:

Neutering – Also called castration, neutering is the surgical removal of a male dog’s testicles, leaving the scrotum intact. This eliminates testosterone production and renders a dog incapable of reproducing.
Spaying – Also termed ovariohysterectomy, spaying involves surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus of a female dog. This eliminates estrogen production and eliminates reproductive capability and the heat cycle.

Both procedures require fully anesthetizing the dog and are considered major abdominal surgery, albeit routine. Most vets recommend performing procedures around 6 months old once mature. Neutering and spaying offer certain health and behavior benefits, but also some minimized risks owners must seriously consider.

Potential Pros of Neutering or Spaying an Australian Shepherd

Proponents point to these key advantages of spaying and neutering Australian Shepherds:

Elimination of Unwanted Pregnancies – Fixing your Aussie prevents contributing to accidental litters and overpopulation. Intact dogs have more wandering tendencies.
Lowered Cancer Risk – Spaying eliminates the risk of ovarian or uterine cancers and mammary tumors. Neutering may reduce prostate cancer likelihood as well.
Reduced Roaming – Aussies tend to roam less when sterilized, likely because mating urges and male competition instincts are reduced.
Decreased Aggression – Intact male Aussies may show more reactivity toward other dogs. Neutering reduces testosterone-fueled aggression.
Improved Obedience – Spayed female Aussies may become more focused on owners and responsive to commands with the distraction of heat cycles removed.
Convenience – Skipping heat cycles reduces mess and inconvenience for owners. Male marking behaviors may decline after neutering as well.

Clearly, altering Australian Shepherds can provide some real benefits regarding health, convenience and behavior, especially if reproduction is not desired. However, some drawbacks are also worth consideration.

Potential Cons of Neutering or Spaying Your Aussie

Those arguing against universally spaying or neutering point out these disadvantages or risks:

Increased ACL Injury – Multiple studies show spayed and neutered Aussies have significantly higher rates of ACL tears, likely due to the effect removing sex hormones has on muscles and joints.
Higher Rate of Some Cancers – While reproductive cancer risk is reduced, studies indicate spayed and neutered Aussies have increased rates of certain other cancers like lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma and bladder cancer later in life compared to intact dogs.
Increased Risk of Urinary Incontinence – Spaying Aussies before maturity appears to substantially raise the likelihood of developing urinary incontinence. Waiting until at least 6 months of age may decrease this risk.
Potential for Weight Gain – Neutered male Aussies and spayed females often require stricter portion control and exercise to avoid obesity resulting from a slowed metabolism.
Loss of Sexual Dimorphic Traits – Neutering male Aussies prior to maturity may limit development of masculine physical characteristics and behaviors influenced by testosterone.

The evidence indicates spaying and neutering must be looked at on a case-by-case basis, as benefits may not always outweigh drawbacks for every individual. Below we explore other key considerations.

Timing of Neutering and Spaying Your Australian Shepherd

Most veterinarians traditionally recommend spaying or neutering around 6 months of age, before the first heat cycle in females. However, recent research indicates delaying procedures until at least 12-18 months old may be more ideal in large breeds like Australian Shepherds. Benefits of later spay/neuter include:

Musculoskeletal Development – Sex hormones play important developmental roles, especially in the first 12 months of life. Joints and bone density may strengthen better with hormones present through maturity. With ACL tears being a concern for Aussies, allowing full maturity before altering may be prudent.
Cancer Reduction – While mammary tumors are prevented by spaying, the risk of hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma actually increase with earlier spays. Delaying alterations until at least 12 months may decrease non-reproductive cancer risks.
Improved Behavioral Traits – Allowing Aussies to experience the first 1-2 heat cycles or reach full testosterone levels prior to altering may permit better social development and confidence once mature.

A reasonable compromise for Australian Shepherds could involve spaying after the first heat cycle between 9-12 months old or neutering after 12-18 months once adulthood is reached. This balances reducing unwanted litters with skeletal and behavioral maturity.

Alternatives to Traditional Spaying and Neutering

Some concerned owners are exploring reproductive sterilization alternatives to the risks of permanent removal of sex organs. Options include:

Vasectomies – This severs a male dog’s sperm ducts but retains testosterone production. It prevents reproduction but maintains other functions. Vasectomies are minimally invasive.
Ovarian sparing spays – Only the uterus is removed, preserving hormone production from the ovaries. This eliminates heats and reproduction but maintains systemic hormones.
Chemical sterilization – Injection with synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone every 6 months renders dogs infertile by suppressing reproductive function but retains sex hormone production.

These alternatives may provide a middle ground minimizing risks like ACL tears, urinary incontinence, and some cancers while still preventing accidental breeding and convenience of no heats. However, research is still limited. Discuss options thoroughly with your vet.

The individual dog’s lifestyle, risk factors, breeder preference, and owner diligence regarding reproduction should dictate what choice is ultimately deemed most suitable after a thoughtful risk-benefit analysis. There is no unilateral right or wrong answer.

An Informed Decision is Best

In summary, while spaying and neutering Australian Shepherds provides certain benefits like reproductive control and eliminating sex hormone-driven behaviors, current research indicates the decision is not necessarily clear cut. Owners should consider timing of procedures, increased risks of some joint disorders and cancers, and alternative sterilization options.

Work closely with your veterinarian and breeder to make the choice most aligned with your Aussie’s ideal welfare based on their unique lifestyle factors, expected risks, and owner preference. Be aware of all considerations. An informed decision focused solely on your individual dog’s wellbeing is ultimately the wisest approach. The choice depends on your values and situation. But arming yourself with data allows the best outcome for your Australian Shepherd’s lifelong health and temperament.