When To Neuter a Labradoodle? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQs
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Knowing when to have your male dog neutered can be a tricky business, made even more complicated by the mélange of information floating about online. The most “traditional” timeline is between 6 and 9 months (though some dogs are neutered much younger), but many experts seem to favor a case-by-case approach depending on the dog’s health status, breed, and size.
Labradoodles come in three sizes—Miniature, Medium, and Standard. For this reason, smaller Labradoodles might be neutered from as young as 8 weeks if your vet gives the green light, but, if your Labradoodle is on the larger side or has a health condition, your vet might recommend neutering when they’re older.
It really depends on the individual dog, so have a chat with your vet to ascertain the best time for your Labradoodle to be neutered. Meanwhile, let us explore what experts and official associations think is the best time to neuter dogs.
When Do Experts Say a Dog Can Be Neutered?
There is quite an array of information and opinions as to when is the best time to neuter, so we checked out various veterinarian websites, academic institutions, and associations to see what they had to say on the matter.
The American Animal Hospitals Association (AAHA) favors neutering small-breed dogs at 6 months old and large-breed dogs when they stop growing. However, this recommendation is for “privately owned pets in secure homes” and may not be appropriate for dogs in shelters, for example, as these dogs are often neutered earlier to reduce overpopulation.
In fact, many experts today, including Dr. Benjamin Hart from the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, eschew the “traditional” 6–9-month timeline and prefer a more tailored approach to each dog.1
To quote Dr. Benjamin Hart, who has been at the helm of studies into potential links between health issues and spaying or neutering, “Each individual animal must be considered, and veterinarians should inform the client about all the issues and let them make an informed decision about their pet.” In brief, it seems that the consensus among most experts is that an individual, tailored approach is the best way to go.
What Do Experts Say About Neutering at an Early Age?
Contrary to common belief, it might be possible to get your dog neutered much, much younger than the traditional “from 6 months” guideline. As American Humane explains, most puppies can be neutered from 8 weeks of age, and this was backed up by various veterinary websites. This depends on your puppy’s health status, though, so your vet will confirm whether or not this is appropriate.
We dug into this more and came across a study by Margaret V Root Kustritz on early spaying and neutering (6–14 weeks), which reported that “anesthetic recovery is rapid” and that “no significant long-term effects have been reported” in dogs that undergo neutering at a young age. The study concluded that early neutering is most beneficial for humane organizations and those who want to breed responsibly.
Another important consideration is the dog’s breed and size. Dr. Jerry Klein, CVO, writing for The American Kennel Club, explains that since large breed dogs mature at a later stage, there is a possible risk of health complications if these dogs are neutered too early, which is why it’s so important for vets to judge the best time for an individual dog to undergo the surgery.
Your Labradoodle may fall into the “large dog” category if they are over 45 pounds, which is the American Animal Hospital Association’s guideline.
Can Adult Dogs Be Neutered?
Absolutely, as long as your vet has deemed your dog healthy enough to undergo the procedure. Most rescue organizations and shelters allow dogs to be adopted on the condition that the new owner gets that dog neutered within a certain timeframe or, in some cases, even before the dog is adopted.
This is to help reduce the risk of adopters using their adopted dogs for breeding and potentially contributing to the problem of overpopulation and increased shelter intake.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, there is no straight answer to the question of when a Labradoodle should be neutered because it depends on so many factors—most of all, your vet’s professional judgment. Each dog is an individual with unique needs, so it wouldn’t be wise to wait until the “traditional” 6-month mark to talk to your vet about neutering.
We recommend communicating with your vet as soon as you bring your new dog home, whether they’re a puppy or an adopted adult, to find out when would be the best time for them to be neutered and to address any concerns you may have.
Featured Image Credit: Nynke van Holten, shutterstock
