Quote:
Originally Posted by pstinard  There was a long discussion on neutering here: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...f-ever-31.html
Most of the studies on the bad effects of neutering involve large-breed dogs, and may not be applicable to Yorkies. The consensus we reached by the end of the long, long thread is that for female Yorkies, it's best to have them spayed after their growth plates have closed, but before their first heat, around 8 months of age. (X-rays can be taken to determine if the growth plates have closed.)
UC Davis will be releasing the results of a new study on the effects of spay/neutering of 30 breeds of dogs on June 26. I do not know if Yorkies are included, but I'll give an update if I can find the information. |
The growth plates still close after spaying and neutering so I'm not sure why waiting for them to close is an issue. I think bigger dogs and smaller dogs are very different and grow different. I know the thread. In general most people are not able to fully handle an intact dog. My youngest I got at 8 months spayed a few days after she turned 9 months and it would appear she had a heat with her previous owners. What I have read and gone over in class I feel spaying and neutering is generally better for pet health and pet overpopulation. I just was blown away by the statement that tail docking is better then getting your dog fixed. There is an actual per pose for getting your dog fixed and health reason and none of that is there for tail docking.