Desexing at one year of age shouldn’t entail any significant increase in health problems. As for personality, it’s a matter of opinion whether sex hormones have any benefit. One clue might be the difference in personality between entire male and castrated adult dogs, which is mostly subtle, and often only significantly different in ways that society deems undesirable. For example, there is no effect on trainability for search, protection or guard dogs.

Thanks Andrew, that makes sense. Is it still worth while to wait until they develop a personality before desexing? or is it a myth that personality has anything to do with this procedure? Also are there any health risks if desexing at an older age I.e around 1 year old?
Many thanks!

Hi Payal. The problem with delaying the age is that behavioural problems develop gradually, and are very hard to reverse. Conversely, there is no reason to think that further delay will have any benefit. That’s why the ages for these articles are all based around the earliest possible.