One of the most common decisions dog guardians face is when to spay their female dog. We’re often asked for advice but while we can share research and perspective, it’s vital to understand this is a highly individual decision that should always be made in partnership with your vet.

Here’s a balanced review of the evidence for spaying at various life stages, followed by an important note on our policy regarding assistance dogs.

Spaying Before First Season (Roughly <6–12 Months)

Pros:

• Greatly reduces the risk of mammary (breast) cancer—studies show up to a 90% reduction if spayed before first heat.

• Prevents unwanted pregnancies early on.

• Eliminates risk of pyometra (a life-threatening uterine infection).

Cons:

• Increased risk of joint disorders in some medium and large breeds due to early hormonal disruption (e.g., hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament injury).

• Potential link with anxiety and fear-based behaviours, especially in some sensitive dogs—though this area needs more research.

• May affect growth plate closure, potentially altering skeletal development.

Spaying After First Season (Often ~12–18 Months)

Pros:

• Still reduces the risk of mammary cancer, although not as dramatically as spaying before the first season.

• Allows time for physical development, particularly important in larger breeds.

• May support better behavioural stability in some dogs, though results vary individually.

Cons:

• Slightly higher risk of mammary cancer compared to early spay.

• Dogs can become pregnant if not carefully managed during that first heat.

Spaying at or After 2 Years Old

Pros:

• Maximises full hormonal and skeletal development, which may support joint health and emotional resilience.

• Often preferred in working or performance dogs to ensure physical and behavioural maturity before spay.

Cons:

• Progressively increasing risk of mammary tumours with each season.

• Risk of pyometra rises with age and number of seasons.

• Management of seasons becomes more challenging, especially in environments with entire males.

Special Considerations for Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs must not work while in season, as this can pose health risks and cause significant disruption to their work and training schedules.

To protect the health and welfare of our working dogs and to ensure consistent access and reliability for their handlers our policy is that all working females must be spayed by 2½ years old. This helps prevent:

• Work interruption due to hormonal cycles or medical emergencies like pyometra

• Unwanted pregnancies

• Training setbacks caused by seasonal behavioural changes

This policy is rooted in balancing health evidence with practical, welfare-centred outcomes for dogs in long-term support roles.

⚖️ Final Thoughts

Deciding when to spay is a complex topic that must account for your dog’s:

• Breed and size

• Role (e.g., companion vs. assistance/working dog)

• Emotional and physical development

• Lifestyle and environment

❗ Our Position

We believe in informed, evidence-based choice. However, we are not veterinarians, and we do not offer personalised advice on when or whether to spay.

We strongly encourage you to:

• Review current veterinary research

• Consider your dog’s needs and long-term wellbeing

• Make a decision in consultation with your vet

➡️ Please note: this is not a subject we will advise on directly.