Should You Neuter Your Dachshund?

If you have recently got a dachshund puppy, or have had a puppy for a few months, you may be thinking about whether or not to get your puppy neutered. It was certainly a question we asked ourselves quite early on, as vets often recommend that dogs are neutered at about 6 months, and it was something our vet had mentioned to us.

However there are many more risks associated with neutering in dachshunds, which was something we had read prior to getting our puppy, so it is important to be aware of these before you make the decision on whether or not to have your dachshund neutered.

Wait until at least 12 months old, if not longer

Studies have shown that there is a higher risk of instances of IVDD in dachshunds neutered before 12 months old. There are further breed surveys that suggests this extends as far as 24 months. Although the specific links between the two are not certain, there is hypothesis to suggest that bone, joint and muscle development are important to help protect the dachshunds back, and that neutering too early, before the dog has fully developed. This is because neutering removes the hormones that help with this growth and development.

Neutering can lead to weight gain and other health risks

Other studies have suggested that neutering can lead to weight gain, especially in male dogs. This is thought to be due to a decrease in metabolic rate with the absence of the hormones that neutering removes, so this is a consideration if you are thinking about getting your dog neutered.

In addition to IVDD, when dachshunds are neutered too early, it is thought that the risks also increase for other conditions such as hip dysplasia, some thyroid conditions and other diseases.

What are the potential benefits from neutering?

Provided it is not done too early, there are some benefits to neutering your dachshund. For male dachshunds, it can resolve issues with aggressive or territorial behaviour, such as marking and humping. Some dachshund owners may find that their male dogs not only mark territory while out on walks, but also display unwanted behaviours such as marking furniture in the house, and neutering should improve this. It also removes the urge to mate, so if you have issues with your dachshund trying to hump everything in sight, neutering can be a good option.

If you have a female dachshund, neutering is believed to lower the risk of certain health conditions, cancers and other diseases, plus also removes the risk of having any unwanted puppies. As with male dachshunds, ideally the longer you wait helps to reduce the risk of conditions like IVDD.

Ultimately, the decision to neuter your dachshund is a personal choice. So far, we have made the decision not to have our dachshund neutered, and he is nearly five years old, simply due to the fact that the risks far outweigh the benefits we can see from having the procedure done. We are also reluctant to put our dog through an expensive surgery if not completely medically necessary, so it’s something we have chosen to hold off doing unless there is a medical or behavioural reason to do so at a later stage. Make sure to consider your own personal circumstances, and speak to a vet if unsure.