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A commonly asked question among male Golden Retriever owners is “How Will Neutering Change My Golden Retriever?”
Choosing to neuter your Golden is a sure way to prevent any accidental breedings, plus there are many health benefits involved for your dog.
The chance of getting testicular cancer is eliminated, and the risk of prostate disease is reduced. Neutered dogs also live longer on average.
But, you may still have some fears and doubts.
Many dog owners fear that neutering will somehow change their dog’s personality. Some dog owners neuter their dogs in hopes that it will help to calm them down.
The age at the time of neutering is also a factor for increased risks of joint disorders and cancers.
Are these fears and hopes valid?
Keep reading to discover how neutering will change your Golden Retriever. Plus, find out the common misconceptions that people have about neutering.
Table of Contents
How Will Neutering Change My Golden Retriever?
Neutering your Golden Retriever will not change your dog’s personality. They will still be the same dog you know and love prior to being neutered. Neutering is not a quick fix for calming your Golden Retriever down. It will, however, help to reduce unwanted behaviours associated with sexual hormones. You will see a reduction of aggression, irritability, marking territory, mounting and roaming. Your Golden Retriever should wait to be neutered until beyond 1 year of age, as this will greatly reduce the risks of joint disorders and certain cancers.
What Is Neutering?
Neutering is a common surgical procedure that involves the removal of your dog’s testicles. This means that your dog will not be able to reproduce.
Neutering is often referred to as castration or the “big snip”.
Many dog owners and vets also use the term neutering when referring to female dogs. However, spaying is the proper medical term for females.
In this article, we are strictly focusing on males being neutered.
Neutering is less invasive than what a spay surgery is for a female. It is performed under general anesthesia, and your dog will be able to go home the same day.
The hardest part is trying to keep your dog calm for the required 10-14 days after surgery. You will need to restrict your dog’s play and exercise, and he will have to wear the dreaded cone of shame!
Many owners opt for a surgical suit instead of the cone. It is much more comfortable and your dog will feel less stressed.
Guidelines Suggest Delaying Neutering In Golden Retrievers
The common practice that has been in place for many years has been to neuter your male dog within the first year of age.
However, a new 10-year study done by researchers at the University of California (UC Davis), found that Golden Retrievers have increased risks of joint disorders and certain cancers when they are neutered early.
Joint disorders include hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament tear. Cancers include lymphosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and mast cell tumours.
Take a look at the chart below. It shows the results of a study done by UC Davis from 2000-to 2009, results were published in 2013.
Included in this study were Golden Retrievers aged 1-8 years old, 145 of which were intact, 178 were neutered early, and 72 were neutered late.
As you can see, hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament, and lymphosarcoma were common among those Golden’s neutered early.
Guidelines now suggest that neutering in Golden Retrievers should be delayed beyond 1 year of age, based on these increased risks of joint disorders and cancers. [You can read the research article published in 2020, in frontiers in Veterinary Science, scroll down to Golden Retriever.]
Your Golden Retriever should be fully developed before being neutered. The sex hormones are needed in order for your Golden’s growth plates to fully close.
Pros Of Neutering Your Golden Retriever
Neutering your Golden Retriever offers health, behavioural and lifestyle benefits.
1. Testicular Cancer Is Eliminated
Neutering your Golden Retriever eliminates his chances of getting testicular cancer, one of the most common cancers affecting intact dogs.
If your Golden Retriever is 1 year old and has either one or both of his testicles that are undescended (meaning they are retained in the abdomen), then he should definitely be neutered.
Cryptorchidism is the medical term for an undescended testicle. It is estimated that dogs with this condition have a risk that is 10x greater than normal dogs of developing testicular cancer.
2. Reduces The Risk Of Prostate Disorders
An enlarged prostate is commonly seen in males who are intact, and it usually occurs after the age of 5. Dogs affected by this have difficulty with bowel movements and urinating.
The good news is that it can be fixed. If you neuter at this time, the prostate will shrink and problems will resolve.
Prostate infections and cysts are also common in dogs left intact, but they are more difficult to treat.
3. Reduction Of Unwanted Behaviours
Neutering helps to reduce unwanted behaviours in your Golden that are associated with sex hormones.
You will see a reduction in:
- Aggression
- Irritability
- Marking Territory both indoors and outdoors.
- Mounting/Humping.
- Roaming (looking for a female in heat).
4. Your Golden Retriever Will Be More Focused
Dogs that are left intact tend to focus too much attention on other dogs. They are on the lookout for potential mates and possible rivals.
By neutering your Golden, his sexual desire will be eliminated and he will be able to focus his attention on you and his training.
5. Your Male Will Be Better With And Around Other Male Dogs
Dogs that are left intact often become targeted by other dogs, either neutered or intact.
Intact dogs attack other intact dogs because they see them as a rival especially when a female is around.
Even if your Golden is not aggressive, he may become a target from another male dog, especially if he is unneutered.
Neutered dogs have been known to target intact dogs and become aggressive towards them. The reason is that intact dogs smell like males, which is seen as a threat to neutered dogs.
Remember that testosterone can fuel aggression. Even Golden Retrievers who are friendly, gentle and calm, can suddenly become aggressive towards another male if they see them as a threat.
6. Prevents Any Accidental Breedings
Neutering your dog will prevent any chance of accidental breeding. You will be helping to control the pet population which is already out of control.
Also, breeding is a big responsibility. Dogs must be tested and cleared for any health issues that are common in the breed.
By leaving your Golden intact, you are risking the chance of accidental breeding. Possibly passing on any health issues to his puppies, which is not helping to better this breed.
Cons Of Neutering Your Golden Retriever
As we have seen in the study results chart above, neutering too early, before your Golden has gone through puberty, can be detrimental to your Golden’s health.
1. Increased Risk Of Cancers And Joint Disorders When Neutered Early
Neutering your Golden Retriever within the first year of age puts him at an increased risk of developing certain cancers and joint disorders.
The following results are based on data collected from UC Davis from their 10-year study that was published in 2020. It included 318 intact male Golden Retrievers and 365 neutered.
This study includes osteosarcoma and elbow dysplasia, whereas the study published in 2013 (chart above) did not include either.