"When should I get him done?" is one of the questions we are asked most often in the consult room, and the answer has changed. In March 2026 the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) published a joint policy position on neutering that moves away from a one size fits all age and towards a decision based on the individual dog. Here is what that means for you, whether you have a Cockapoo puppy in Morley or a two year old Rottweiler in Wakefield.
Why the advice changed
Neutering has been routine in UK practice for decades, and for most dogs it still makes good sense. What has changed is the evidence about timing. Research over the last ten years has linked neutering before a dog is physically mature with a higher rate of certain joint problems in some breeds, particularly larger ones, because the sex hormones a young dog produces play a part in closing the growth plates in its bones.
The BVA and BSAVA guidance, published on 3 March 2026, reflects that. As BSAVA President Julian Hoad put it, "although routine, neutering is not a trivial procedure". The headline change is that timing should now be based on the breed and the age at which that breed reaches maturity, rather than on a fixed number of months, after a proper conversation between the vet and the owner.
Female dogs: still generally recommended, but later than you might think
The guidance continues to recommend spaying for most female dogs that are not going to be bred from. The reasons have not changed: pregnancy and whelping carry real risks, and unspayed bitches are prone to serious uterine conditions later in life, including pyometra, a womb infection that is a genuine emergency and usually needs urgent surgery. Spaying removes that risk entirely.
What has changed is when. The BVA and BSAVA position is that, depending on breed and expected age at maturity, a bitch should be spayed somewhere between 12 and 23 months of age unless she is intended for breeding. For a small breed that matures early, that will be towards the start of that window. For a giant breed still growing at 18 months, it will be towards the end. In practice that usually means spaying after the first season, with the operation planned around her cycle, because operating during or just after a season carries more risk of bleeding. Waiting means managing at least one season safely, with lead walks and no off lead time in the park, and that is part of the decision.
Male dogs: a case by case decision
For male dogs the guidance is more cautious still. Castration is no longer a default. It should be considered case by case, taking into account the breed, the dog's lifestyle and the household, and where it is chosen it should not be done before the dog is physically mature for its breed, unless there is a compelling reason.
There are still good medical reasons to castrate. It removes the risk of testicular tumours, reduces some prostate problems in older dogs, and takes away the drive to roam after a bitch in season. Dogs with a retained testicle, where one or both have not descended, should always be castrated because retained testicles have a much higher risk of becoming cancerous.
There is also a temporary, reversible medical option for male dogs: a hormone implant under the skin that suppresses testosterone for a period of months. For an owner unsure how their dog would be after castration, it can be a way of finding out before committing to surgery. Ask us whether it is suitable for your dog.
Size matters: what "physical maturity" means for your dog
Small breeds
Toy and small breeds, such as Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Dachshunds, generally reach physical maturity earlier, often by around nine to twelve months.
Medium breeds
Spaniels, Border Collies and most of the popular crosses tend to be mature at around twelve to eighteen months.
Large and giant breeds
Labradors, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Great Danes and similar can still be growing at eighteen months to two years. For these dogs, waiting is where the evidence on joint health is strongest.
Those are rough guides, not rules. Two Labradors from different lines will mature at different times, and a vet who can see your dog is in a far better position to advise than a chart. That is why the guidance puts so much weight on the conversation.
Neutering and behaviour: what it does and does not fix
This is the part we are most keen to get right, because neutering is often suggested as a cure for behaviour problems and it usually is not one. Castration can reduce behaviours that are driven directly by testosterone, such as roaming, urine marking and some dog to dog tension between entire males. It does not teach a dog to walk on a loose lead, come back when called, stop jumping up or settle when visitors arrive, and it will not fix fear, reactivity or aggression that has its roots in the dog's relationship with its owner. In some anxious dogs, removing hormones can make confidence worse rather than better.
If your main reason for considering neutering is behaviour, please talk to us first. We will look for any medical cause, and for training and behaviour we work alongside our sister company, The Dog Training Company, whose relationship based approach starts with an in person assessment of the dog and owner together. Fixing the behaviour and deciding about neutering are two separate decisions, and they should be made in that order.
One legal exception. Owners of an exempted XL Bully, or any other banned breed held under a Certificate of Exemption, are required by law to have the dog neutered, with evidence submitted to Defra. The guidance above does not override that requirement. If this applies to your dog, see the current rules on GOV.UK and talk to us about timing.
What happens on the day
Neutering is a day procedure. Your dog comes in to us in the morning, has a pre-anaesthetic check from the vet, and is operated on under general anaesthetic with a nurse monitoring throughout. Castration is a short procedure; spaying is a bigger abdominal operation. Most dogs go home the same day, a little sleepy, with a protective collar or recovery suit to stop them licking the wound. Recovery usually means ten to fourteen days of short lead walks and no jumping, running or swimming, with a post-operative check from one of our nurses. You can always call us if you are worried about the wound or how your dog is recovering.
Making the decision for your dog
The best time to have this conversation is at your puppy's vaccination appointments, when we can talk about the breed, your plans and what the evidence says for a dog like yours, and put a rough date in the diary. If you have an older entire dog and have never got round to it, it is never too late to ask. We will give you a clear recommendation, explain the reasoning, and give you a written quote before anything is booked. Neutering is one of the services we provide every week at Paws & Co, and you can see the full list on our services page.
Frequently asked questions
Is six months too early to neuter a dog?
For most dogs, under the 2026 BVA and BSAVA guidance, yes. The guidance recommends waiting until a dog is physically mature for its breed, which for many breeds is between twelve and twenty-three months. Small breeds mature earlier and large breeds later. Your vet will advise on the right timing for your individual dog.
Should I let my dog have a season before spaying?
Under the new guidance, most bitches will have at least one season before they are spayed, simply because of the age at which spaying is now recommended. The timing of the operation is then planned around her cycle, usually around three months after a season, when the womb is at its quietest. Letting a bitch have a litter first has no health benefit and is not recommended.
Will neutering calm my dog down?
Not in the way most people hope. Neutering can reduce hormone driven behaviours such as roaming and marking, but it does not change training, excitement, pulling, poor recall or fear based behaviour. For those, the answer is working on the relationship between you and your dog, and we are happy to point you towards The Dog Training Company for an in person assessment.
Talk to us about neutering
Book a consultation at Paws & Co Veterinary Centre in Tingley, serving Leeds, Wakefield and Morley. We will assess your dog, talk through the timing and give you a written quote. For anything urgent, always call us rather than email.
Call 0113 868 6100 Email the practice Book an appointment