Updated September 3, 2021
Whether you call it neuter, spay, castrate or desex, the right time to get it done in dogs is a subject of much debate. This is because it varies from breed to breed. Recently, a study was published on the best age for neutering medium-sized dog breeds like Kelpies.
The study actually looked at 10-19kg crossbreeds but this data should be the closest match to a Kelpie currently available.
This paper provides the first evidence for medium-sized dog breeds on choosing a time of desexing with the fewest health problems. The study compared the dogs neutered at different ages for their rates of:
- joint disorders: hip dysplasia (HD), cruciate ligament injury (CCL) and elbow dysplasia (ED)
- cancers: lymphoma (LSA), mast cell tumour (MCT), haemangiosarcoma (HSA), osteosarcoma (OSA)
- urinary incontinence (UI)
All of these have been suspected to be linked with the age of neutering. Here’s what they found (only bold values are significant, my summary to follow):
| HD | CCL | ED | At Least One | |
| Male < 6 months | 0/15 (0) | 0/15 (0) | 0/15 (0) | 0/15 (0) |
| Male 6 – 11 months | 0/17 (0) | 0/17 (0) | 0/17 (0) | 0/17 (0) |
| Male 1 year | 0/39 (0) | 0/38 (0) | 0/39 (0) | 0/38 (0) |
| Male 2 – 8 years | 0/35 (0) | 1/34 (2.94) | 0/35 (0) | 1/34 (2.94) |
| Male Intact | 0/93 (0) | 1/92 (1.09) | 0/94 (0) | 1/92 (1.09) |
| Female < 6 months | 0/34 (0) | 1/33 (3.03) | 0/33 (0) | 1/32 (3.13) |
| Female 6 – 11 months | 0/59 (0) | 1/59 (1.69) | 0/61 (0) | 1/59 (1.69) |
| Female 1 year | 2/87 (2.3) | 3/87 (3.45) | 0/88 (0) | 3/87 (3.45) |
| Female 2 – 8 years | 0/58 (0) | 0/58 (0) | 0/59 (0) | 0/58 (0) |
| Female Intact | 2/89 (2.25) | 3/88 (3.41) | 1/90 (1.11) | 4/88 (4.55) |
| LSA | MCT | HSA | OSA | At Least One | |
| Male < 6 months | 0/15 (0) | 0/15 (0) | 0/15 (0) | 0/15 (0) | 0/15 (0) |
| Male 6 – 11 months | 0/17 (0) | 0/16 (0) | 0/17 (0) | 0/17 (0) | 0/16 (0) |
| Male 1 year | 0/39 (0) | 1/39 (2.56) | 0/39 (0) | 0/39 (0) | 1/39 (2.56) |
| Male 2 – 8 years | 1/35 (2.86) | 0/34 (0) | 0/35 (0) | 0/35 (0) | 1/34 (2.94) |
| Male Intact | 2/92 (2.17) | 5/96 (5.21) | 0/94 (0) | 0/94 (0) | 7/94 (7.45) |
| Female < 6 months | 0/32 (0) | 0/34 (0) | 0/34 (0) | 0/34 (0) | 0/32 (0) |
| Female 6 – 11 months | 0/58 (0) | 1/60 (1.67) | 0/61 (0) | 0/61 (0) | 1/57 (1.75) |
| Female 1 year | 0/86 (0) | 1/84 (1.19) | 0/88 (0) | 0/88 (0) | 1/83 (1.2) |
| Female 2 – 8 years | 0/58 (0) | 0/57 (0) | 0/58 (0) | 0/59 (0) | 0/55 (0) |
| Female Intact | 2/87 (2.3) | 0/90 (0) | 0/90 (0) | 0/90 (0) | 2/87 (2.3) |
UI was higher in dogs under 1 year of age, but the difference was not significant.
If this table makes no sense, it’s mostly because there are no abnormal findings. Have a look at this one for Golden retrievers as a comparison.
Summary: The Best Kelpie Spay & Neuter Times
As you can see, there is minimal evidence that health problems in medium-sized dogs like Kelpies are influenced by the age of neutering. Owners of either sex are therefore free to choose the age of desexing that suits them best.
Recommendation: 9 months for males and one year for females.
This allows for the general trend of later times with higher body weights. It is older with females as they will come into season at 7-9 months, and we want this to settle down completely before surgery. The decision may also be based on other factors such as:
- local neutering legislation
- risk of male dog aggression to children
- risk of pregnancy or reluctance to manage a female in heat
- health problems associated with intact dogs
The study authors are to be applauded to bringing into focus one of the most common questions from dog owners. For Kelpies and other medium-sized dogs, they’ve made the decision a lot easier.
Related: Best Desexing Age For 39 Breeds | Desexing Choices For Dogs | Costs Of Desexing
Have something to add? Comments are welcome below and will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia.
