Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers have a high probability of cancer and studies have found that early traditional spay/neuter (before they reach full maturity) contributes to that in addition to many other health issues because you are removing a quarter of their endocrine system.
Golden Retrievers and standard size Goldendoodles don't reach full maturity until they are between 18 to 24 months of age. Therefore, we require our clients to spay/neuter their dog no younger than 18 months of age (alternative procedures can be done younger than that - more information below).
What is a traditional spay/neuter procedure?
In a traditional spay procedure, the ovaries and uterus are surgically removed in order to sterilize the female dog. In a traditional neuter procedure, both testicles are removed. After this procedure, the female and male dog is left with no gonads to produce hormones! Did you know that hormones in a dog play an important role in many essential functions including reproduction, growth, development, and long term health?
Think of it this way. Imagine removing the gonads in a child before they reach maturity and how that will impact their health long term? Now apply that concept to a young dog. Some veterinarians recommend a traditional spay/neuter procedure between 6-8 months of age because it has been commonplace in our country since the 70's as a solution to overpopulation of pets. Owners also found a dogs heat cycle in their home to be a inconvenience so spaying them eliminated that problem. We often see shelters performing these procedures even younger than that before their dogs get adopted out. Did you know that neutering/spaying your dog is even banned in some European countries?
Studies have found that:
1.) Golden Retriever males neutered early were 3x more likely to be diagnosed with lymphosarcoma than intact males.
2.) Spayed females had more than 5x greater risk of developing cardiac hemangiosarcoma compared to intact females.
3.) Dogs that have been neutered or spayed before puberty are often found with longer limbs, lighter bone structure, narrower chests, and narrower skulls. Sex hormones promote the closure of growth plates and when they are removed before puberty in a dog, they continue to grow resulting in alterations in body proportions. We are now seeing a higher incidence of CCL ruptures, hip dysplasia, patella luxation, and joint disorders.
4.) Early spay/neuter is associated with behavioral problems including increased incidence of fear, noise phobias, aggression, hyperactivity, and separation anxiety.
5.) Spayed/neutered dogs before puberty have an increased risk of urinary incontinence, hypothyroidism, acute pancreatitis, allergies, and risk of adverse reactions to vaccines.
Alternative procedures - Ovary Sparing Spay and Vasectomy
You are welcome to consider an alternative procedure that allows your pet to still receive the needed hormones to grow correctly yet renders them sterile (can be done before 18 months of age). These procedures are called ovary sparing spays and vasectomies. In a ovary sparing spay, only the uterus and cervix is removed but their ovaries are kept intact therefore preserving hormones produced by them. Because the uterus is removed, a female dog will not be able to become pregnant, even if mating occurs. In a vasectomy, the male dog undergoes a simple procedure in which their tubes that carry the sperm are cut or blocked. You can join a Facebook group called "Ovary Sparing Spay and Vasectomy Info Group" to meet others going through the same process with their dog.
Click here to read an article on early spay and neuter written by Dr. Chris Zink
Click here to watch a you tube video by Dr. Chris Zink discussing early spay and neuter - 12 minutes long
Click here to read another article on early spay and neuter
Click here to read more information about hormone sparing sterilization
Click here to watch a webinar by Dr. Marty Greer on early spay/neuter and alternative procedures - 1 hour long and very resourceful!
I hope all this information helps you understand our point of view and the importance of delaying the traditional spay/neuter procedure. A lot of breeders and veterinarians worldwide also advocate for this. We would prefer that you wait until your dog turns 2 (to ensure that they reach full maturity), but would like to provide more flexibility since we know that some veterinarians or boarding facilities will give our clients push back. Hopefully in the future, we see it as more common practice in our country! Currently, it is more common practice in other countries.
Ways to help reduce cancer in your dog
1.) Waiting to spay or neuter your dog until they reach full maturity or consider alternative procedures
2.) Yearly examinations and preventative care for your dog
3.) Reducing exposure to possible carcinogenic environmental exposures such as pesticides, phenoxy herbicides, fumes from paints and solvents, asbestos, and second hand smoke
4.) Feeding your dog a premium high quality dog food that is:
a.) Free of GMO's
b.) Contains easily digestible foods to ensure your dog can absorb and utilize nutrients efficiently. Best to avoid wheat, soy, or corn because they typically cause digestive issues for dogs.
c.) Has antioxidants such as vitamin A, C, and E
d.) Contains real whole food ingredients
e.) Has minimal artificial additives
f.) Packed with high quality proteins and healthy fats such as omega 3 fatty acids
We feed our dogs a premium, high quality dog food that is imported from Italy called Farmina. It meets all the above requirements. Click here to view this product from our shopping list. If we feed our dogs any human food, we only provide them with organic fruits and vegetables and sometimes plain organic cooked meat. When it comes to cleaning supplies, we avoid toxic/harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonium in areas our dogs can come into contact with it.
Golden Retrievers and standard size Goldendoodles don't reach full maturity until they are between 18 to 24 months of age. Therefore, we require our clients to spay/neuter their dog no younger than 18 months of age (alternative procedures can be done younger than that - more information below).
What is a traditional spay/neuter procedure?
In a traditional spay procedure, the ovaries and uterus are surgically removed in order to sterilize the female dog. In a traditional neuter procedure, both testicles are removed. After this procedure, the female and male dog is left with no gonads to produce hormones! Did you know that hormones in a dog play an important role in many essential functions including reproduction, growth, development, and long term health?
Think of it this way. Imagine removing the gonads in a child before they reach maturity and how that will impact their health long term? Now apply that concept to a young dog. Some veterinarians recommend a traditional spay/neuter procedure between 6-8 months of age because it has been commonplace in our country since the 70's as a solution to overpopulation of pets. Owners also found a dogs heat cycle in their home to be a inconvenience so spaying them eliminated that problem. We often see shelters performing these procedures even younger than that before their dogs get adopted out. Did you know that neutering/spaying your dog is even banned in some European countries?
Studies have found that:
1.) Golden Retriever males neutered early were 3x more likely to be diagnosed with lymphosarcoma than intact males.
2.) Spayed females had more than 5x greater risk of developing cardiac hemangiosarcoma compared to intact females.
3.) Dogs that have been neutered or spayed before puberty are often found with longer limbs, lighter bone structure, narrower chests, and narrower skulls. Sex hormones promote the closure of growth plates and when they are removed before puberty in a dog, they continue to grow resulting in alterations in body proportions. We are now seeing a higher incidence of CCL ruptures, hip dysplasia, patella luxation, and joint disorders.
4.) Early spay/neuter is associated with behavioral problems including increased incidence of fear, noise phobias, aggression, hyperactivity, and separation anxiety.
5.) Spayed/neutered dogs before puberty have an increased risk of urinary incontinence, hypothyroidism, acute pancreatitis, allergies, and risk of adverse reactions to vaccines.
Alternative procedures - Ovary Sparing Spay and Vasectomy
You are welcome to consider an alternative procedure that allows your pet to still receive the needed hormones to grow correctly yet renders them sterile (can be done before 18 months of age). These procedures are called ovary sparing spays and vasectomies. In a ovary sparing spay, only the uterus and cervix is removed but their ovaries are kept intact therefore preserving hormones produced by them. Because the uterus is removed, a female dog will not be able to become pregnant, even if mating occurs. In a vasectomy, the male dog undergoes a simple procedure in which their tubes that carry the sperm are cut or blocked. You can join a Facebook group called "Ovary Sparing Spay and Vasectomy Info Group" to meet others going through the same process with their dog.
Click here to read an article on early spay and neuter written by Dr. Chris Zink
Click here to watch a you tube video by Dr. Chris Zink discussing early spay and neuter - 12 minutes long
Click here to read another article on early spay and neuter
Click here to read more information about hormone sparing sterilization
Click here to watch a webinar by Dr. Marty Greer on early spay/neuter and alternative procedures - 1 hour long and very resourceful!
I hope all this information helps you understand our point of view and the importance of delaying the traditional spay/neuter procedure. A lot of breeders and veterinarians worldwide also advocate for this. We would prefer that you wait until your dog turns 2 (to ensure that they reach full maturity), but would like to provide more flexibility since we know that some veterinarians or boarding facilities will give our clients push back. Hopefully in the future, we see it as more common practice in our country! Currently, it is more common practice in other countries.
Ways to help reduce cancer in your dog
1.) Waiting to spay or neuter your dog until they reach full maturity or consider alternative procedures
2.) Yearly examinations and preventative care for your dog
3.) Reducing exposure to possible carcinogenic environmental exposures such as pesticides, phenoxy herbicides, fumes from paints and solvents, asbestos, and second hand smoke
4.) Feeding your dog a premium high quality dog food that is:
a.) Free of GMO's
b.) Contains easily digestible foods to ensure your dog can absorb and utilize nutrients efficiently. Best to avoid wheat, soy, or corn because they typically cause digestive issues for dogs.
c.) Has antioxidants such as vitamin A, C, and E
d.) Contains real whole food ingredients
e.) Has minimal artificial additives
f.) Packed with high quality proteins and healthy fats such as omega 3 fatty acids
We feed our dogs a premium, high quality dog food that is imported from Italy called Farmina. It meets all the above requirements. Click here to view this product from our shopping list. If we feed our dogs any human food, we only provide them with organic fruits and vegetables and sometimes plain organic cooked meat. When it comes to cleaning supplies, we avoid toxic/harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonium in areas our dogs can come into contact with it.