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Last Updated on March 19, 2023
Spaying and neutering a Great Dane are one of the many important decisions a Great Dane owner must make. But a lot are still unsure what these procedures entail. And many owners, old and new, have a lot of questions to ask.
Questions such as, “When is the right time to spay or neuter a Great Dane?”. “Is the time different for every breed?” and “Why do you need to consider the process of Great Dane spay or neuter?”
Whether you’re considering buying a Great Dane or already owns one but want to know more about Great Dane spay and neuter, then you’ve come to the right place! Continue reading below to learn more about these surgical procedures.
Spaying and Neutering Dogs
Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures done to sterilize animals and prevent them from reproducing. It has a lot of health benefits for the animals and also help control pet overpopulation.
“Altered” is the term used to refer to animals that undergo such procedures. And “intact” is the term used to refer to animals who never undergo the surgeries.
What is Spaying?
Spaying is the process of performing a surgery called hysterectomy to remove the uterus, and at times the cervix, ovaries and Fallopian tubes of a female animal.
Great Dane Spay
Spaying a Great Dane might be a little different compared to other breeds. They cannot be spayed as early as a few months old like smaller breeds because of their growth period.
When to Spay A Great Dane
Generally, it is recommended to spay Great Danes around 9 months to 1 year old. Recommendations by professionals differ. Some recommend spaying them even before they experience their first heat. While it’s true that spaying a dog before their first heat reduces the risk of mammary cancer, this is only applicable to mostly small to medium-sized dogs.
Some veterinarian recommend spaying a Great Dane after they get to experience their first heat. And in the event that they go on their first heat before they turn one year old, spaying should be delayed until they are at least one year old.
This is why Great Dane spay procedure is a bit different than others. You need to consider their prolonged growth period and let them go into heat once. This is so that the dog’s hormones that contribute to their growth have more time to positively influence the dog’s overall development.
It’s recommended to get your Great Dane checked by a veterinary and discuss the process of spaying your dog with a professional.
Benefits of Great Dane Spay
Some find spaying cruel, but it actually has a lot of benefits. It prevents a lot of issues and is actually good for the dog’s overall health and well-being. Even People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the largest animal rights organization, supports spaying.
Here is a list of benefits that your Great Dane can enjoy when you get them spayed:
- Reduced risk of cancer, specifically mammary cancer. According to a study, the risk of developing cancer for female dogs that get spayed before their first heat is 0.5%. While the risk of developing cancer becomes 26% if the dog is spayed after its second heat.
- Reduced chances of uterine infections and cancer.
- Increased chances of a long and healthy life. According to a 2013 pet health report by Banfield Pet Hospital, altered female dogs live 23% longer on average.
- The stress and pain female dogs go through during their heat is eliminated.
- Unwanted pregnancy that help control overpopulation. Unwanted litters of puppies always end up in bad situations. They are seen as an inconvenience and are often abandoned.
- Lower chances of contracting dangerous diseases spread through bodily fluids such as feline AIDS.
- Dog owners spend less vs when they have to raise a litter of puppies. Raising a Great Dane is already a tough job, physically, mentally and financially. Now, imagine raising a litter of them.
What is Neutering?
Neutering, on the other hand, is the process of removing the testicles of a male animal to sterilize them.
Great Dane Neuter
Great Dane neuter has the same purpose as spay, but is specifically done to male Danes. Like Great Dane spay, neutering Great Danes cannot be done as early as a few weeks or months old.
This is because you need to consider the Great Dane’s growth period. Great Danes are huge dogs and need enough time to fully develop their bones and muscles to support their size.
When to Neuter A Great Dane
For male Great Danes, it is generally suggested to get them neutered around 6 to 12 months. But most veterinarians suggest Great Dane neuter at 12 months. This is because at this age, their muscles and bones already had the chance to fully develop. And neutering them at this age will not impact their growth.
But of course, like Great Dane spaying, the best way to go is to discuss the process of neutering your Dane with your dog’s veterinarian.
Benefits of Great Dane Neuter
Like Great Dane spaying, some find neutering cruel. But in reality, it’s a life-saving procedure that ensures a healthy and happy life for Great Danes.
Below are the benefits of when you get your Great Dane neutered:
- It reduces the risk of prostate cancer.
- It prevents testicular cancer.
- It reduces the likelihood of male Danes to roam. Most of the time, intact male Danes will do anything to find a mate, even if it means escaping home and fighting with other dogs to find one.
- It increases the chances of a long and healthy life. According to a 2013 pet health report by Banfield Pet Hospital, altered male dogs live 18% longer than intact male dogs.
- It improves the Great Dane’s overall behavior. While neutering is not the ultimate solution to fix all behavioral issues, it does help improve the dog’s overall disposition. For example, altered male dogs will no longer try to mark territories, especially at home. They will also be less aggressive since the level of testosterone decreases and they will be less likely to start fights with other dogs.
How much does it cost to spay or neuter a Great Dane?
The cost of neutering Great Danes typically ranges from $125 to $400. And spaying can be anywhere from $200 to $600. Generally, spaying costs more than neutering because it is a complex surgery.
The specific price of the surgery will be based on a lot of factors such as: your Great Dane’s age, your location, the veterinary clinic and if your Great Dane is diagnosed with other health issues.
The process of Great Dane neutering or spaying might seem costly at first. But in reality, it is way cheaper than treating other health problems or trying to raise and care for a litter of puppies in the long run.
Final Words
Spaying and neutering is neither painful nor cruel. They are surgeries where your Great Dane is put under general anesthesia.
We acknowledge that these procedures, like all other surgeries, have surgical risk. So of course, like any other surgery, you have to ensure that you go to a professional veterinarian who can ensure the safety and overall health of your Dane.
If you do not have any intention to become a Great Dane breeder, the best and healthiest decision you can make for your dog is to spay or neuter it. A lot of studies have proven that altered animals live longer than their intact counterparts. So, altering them is a simple way to ensure they get to live a long, happy and healthy life.
However, if you intend to breed your Great Dane then spaying or neutering them might not be an option. However, there is still the responsibility of ensuring that your dog is healthy enough to breed and that you become a responsible breeder.