Updated July 28, 2022
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 20-29kg dog breeds like the Staffy, AmStaff and Staffy crosses.
English Staffordshire Terriers would probably be most similar to Kelpie desexing times.
This paper provides the first evidence for larger 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 | 0/46 (0) | 2/46 (4.35) | 0/47 (0) | 2/41 (4.88)* † |
| Male 6 – 11 months | 3/61 (4.92) | 0/65 (0) | 0/64 (0) | 3/61 (4.92)* † |
| Male 1 year | 0/65 (0) | 1/67 (1.49) | 0/68 (0) | 1/64 (1.56) |
| Male 2 – 8 years | 1/60 (1.67) | 0/62 (0) | 0/63 (0) | 1/59 (1.69) |
| Male Intact | 4/157 (2.55) | 0/152 (0) | 0/153 (0) | 4/154 (2.6) |
| Female < 6 months | 2/81 (2.47) | 4/93 (4.3) | 2/87 (2.3) | 8/79 (10.13) † |
| Female 6 – 11 months | 9/134 (6.72) | 9/135 (6.67) | 1/137 (0.73) | 16/130(12.31)† |
| Female 1 year | 0/94 (0) | 2/94 (2.13) | 1/94 (1.06) | 2/93 (2.15) |
| Female 2 – 8 years | 0/112 (0) | 0/114 (0) | 1/117 (0.85) | 1/109 (0.92) |
| Female Intact | 3/128 (2.34) | 2/129 (1.55) | 1/129 (0.78) | 5/129 (3.88) |
| LSA | MCT | HSA | OSA | At Least One | |
| Male < 6 months | 0/48 (0) | 1/49 (2.04) | 0/48 (0) | 0/49 (0) | 1/48 (2.08) |
| Male 6 – 11 months | 1/62 (1.61) | 0/65 (0) | 0/65 (0) | 0/64 (0) | 1/61 (1.64) |
| Male 1 year | 1/68 (1.47) | 1/68 (1.47) | 0/68 (0) | 0/67 (0) | 2/67 (2.99) |
| Male 2 – 8 years | 0/63 (0) | 0/60 (0) | 0/63 (0) | 1/63 (1.59) | 1/60 (1.67) |
| Male Intact | 2/154 (1.3) | 1/154 (0.65) | 1/153 (0.65) | 1/153 (0.65) | 5/152 (3.29) |
| Female < 6 months | 0/92 (0) | 1/93 (1.08) | 2/93 (2.15) | 0/94 (0) | 3/91 (3.3) |
| Female 6 – 11 months | 1/138 (0.72) | 1/138 (0.72) | 3/139 (2.16) | 1/139 (0.72) | 6/137 (4.38) |
| Female 1 year | 1/93 (1.08) | 0/95 (0) | 0/95 (0) | 0/95 (0) | 1/93 (1.08) |
| Female 2 – 8 years | 0/115 (0) | 1/117 (0.85) | 0/115 (0) | 0/117 (0) | 1/113 (0.88) |
| Female Intact | 2/128 (1.56) | 1/129 (0.78) | 1/130 (0.77) | 0/128 (0) | 4/128 (3.13) |
UI was diagnosed in 3 percent of females spayed at less than 11 months.
Summary: The Best Staffy Spay & Neuter Times
Joint problems were more common in 20-29kg dogs desexed under 1 year of age. UI was also more common in females.
Recommendation: 1 year for both sexes, but the decision may be based on other factors such as:
- local neutering legislation
- risk of male dog aggression to children or unpleasant male behaviour such as urine marking
- risk of pregnancy or reluctance to manage a female in heat
- health problems associated with intact dogs
This is so far the only science we have for the best desexing age in dogs of this size. Your vet, breeder or online group may have a different opinion based on their experience or personal beliefs. It’s perfectly reasonable to take their advice into consideration as well.
The study authors are to be applauded to bringing into focus one of the most common questions from dog owners. For the Staffy at least, they’ve made the decision a lot easier.
Related: Best Desexing Age For 39 Breeds | Desexing Choices For Dogs | Costs Of Desexing
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By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here.