When Should An Australian Shepherd Be Spayed?

I have a new puppy, and she is an Australian Shepherd. I need to know when I should have her spayed as I don’t want any litters of puppies. But, unfortunately, some of my family tell me to do it now even though I only just brought her home.

I wanted to know if now the right time is to take my Australian Shepherd to get spayed or if I can wait, so today, I dug up some information. I think it will help someone else too.

As long as pet parents are prepared to keep a close eye on their puppy if they wait a bit longer and accept responsibility for a litter of puppies or don’t mind if their dog has a litter of puppies, there is no need to rush.

The timing for spaying usually occurs just before, during, or after a puppy will go through their first season heat, which happens during this time.

Coincidentally, this is around the same time that your Aussie will likely lose their puppy coats. What an exciting time for your household!

This is to prevent the potential for any unforeseen pregnancies and litters of puppies, which can sometimes increase the likelihood of abandoned animals in shelters.

Sometimes breeders will have a contract between themselves and their clients that ensures that their puppies will not be bred for any reason, and this may include the puppy being spayed by a certain period, like six or eight months.

When to spay an Australian Shepherd, puppy depends on the pet parents’ lifestyle and home environment, what they want to deal with, and beliefs on such surgeries.

There is some belief and scientific evidence that spaying before the first season is better for the dog because it reduces tumors and cancer in the reproductive organs.

However, some believe that it is vital that the puppy goes through their first season to happen, or else they have trouble settling down and being calm. Whichever thought process a pet parent has; the choice is individual. 

Spaying your Australian Shepherd is as individual as grooming them and providing them with a place to sleep or giving supplements.

Each family or individual will have their unique thoughts and feelings about such surgical processes and act accordingly.

Generally speaking, most people will spay their puppies around four to six months of age unless there is an apparent cut reason to do it sooner or delay the process.

Some people believe it is healthier to let their puppy go through its first season and then get the procedure done. Scientific evidence does show that spaying a puppy before their first season can reduce the chance for tumors or cancerous growths, which can extend their life expectancy, but the choice is individual.

Whatever timeframe is chosen for getting the procedure done, the pet parents must be prepared to care for their puppy, including any surprise litters of puppies should they arise from a delay.

In many cases, breeders will have an agreement between themselves and the client where the client is not allowed to breed their puppy or adult dog throughout their lives.

If a pet parent wishes to spay their Australian Shepherd puppy before the four to six-month period, it can be done. Still, they should consult their puppy’s veterinarian to ensure that it is safe for the individual puppy.

In some instances, pet parents may delay spaying their puppy until six months or longer due to health issues. This is individual and should also be discussed with the Australian Shepherds breeder and veterinarian first.

What Does Spaying Mean?

The process of spaying your Australian Shepherd puppy is done surgically by a veterinary surgeon. It may or may not happen at their regular vet; sometimes, it is performed at a particular veterinary hospital. The process, like any surgery, includes making incisions on the puppy’s body to remove the reproductive organs, which ultimately prevents pregnancy for a dog.

The veterinarian will usually use dissolvable sutures that the body will absorb. After the procedure, it is essential for pet parents to keep their puppy or dog relaxed, calm, and rest. This time frame is usually a week to a week and a half so the wound can heal and there are no complications that occur.

Most of the time, the hospital or veterinarian will send the Australian Shepherd puppy home with an E-Collar for protection and safety of the area as dogs tend to lick and might pull at the sutures or surgical site.

It is also usually advised that the female Australian Shepherd puppy not be bathed or go swimming or running during this time. They also shouldn’t do any other activity that has them getting physically active until after the week to week and a half time frame.

This can be a bit of a challenge, and pet parents might have to get creative in entertaining their puppy. This, however, is even more true because the puppy is an Australian Shepherd who is usually more filled with energy, excitement, and zest for life than some other dog breeds.

Taking a proactive approach at the time can be helpful. Having at the ready lots of chew toys or other exciting toys so the puppy can at least have something to do is valuable.

A pet parent of the Australian Shepherd puppy will likely need to stay home and devote their energy to caring for the puppy after this type of surgery.

This will likely include lots of love, affection, and time spent together, so the puppy doesn’t get bored and end up injuring themselves.

But, this time too will pass, and before long, the Australian Shepherd puppy will be back to their old selves, getting into everything and keeping active and busy.

Do I Have To Spay My Australian Shepherd?

No, you don’t have to spay your Australian Shepherd at all if you don’t want to unless you have an agreement with your breeder. Some pet parents may opt-out of spaying at an early age or not do it at all. As long as they are a responsible pet owner and follow any agreements set forth by their breeder, everything is up to them.

However, should a pet parent decide not to spay their Australian Shepherd find themselves with a litter of puppies, it is their responsibility to care for them until forever homes can be found.

This reduces the likelihood that any puppy from that next litter will end up abandoned in a shelter.

As pet parents, regardless of breed, we have a responsibility not only to care for our pet but ensure that any puppies they may have, are cared for and loved throughout their lives.

This is also being a responsible citizen of any community but ensuring that no animal becomes abandoned and eventually euthanized.

Before a decision like this is made, it is best to consult the puppy’s breeder and veterinarian to ensure that the pet parent makes the best choice for their puppy and themselves.

Then, questions and concerns can be addressed, providing a clear picture to create a thoughtful and intelligent choice.

Whatever choice is made, if a delay in spaying is what is chosen, it can be changed later down the road. Sometimes spaying later in a puppy or adult dog’s life is better than not spaying at all.

Each individual and family are unique with individual choices which must be respected either way.

What Is The Earliest I Can Spay My Australian Shepherd?

This depends on your individual puppy and what their veterinarian has to say about their overall health, but in general, the earliest that it’s recommended to spay any breed of dog is eight to ten weeks.

At shelters and rescue facilities, sometimes puppies and kittens as little as eight to ten weeks are spayed or neutered. This ensures that no more litters of animals happen and decreases the likelihood of other animals ending up in shelters.

These procedures are performed by trained and skilled veterinary doctors that ensure these animals’ health and well-being. Therefore this time would likely be the earliest that an Australian Shepherd puppy could be spayed.

Spaying Your Australian Shepherd

Spaying an Australian Shepherd puppy is an individual decision. The when, the how, and where or with whom depends on the pet parent and their beliefs on this matter.

Commonly this procedure is done around four to six months of age, but in some instances, earlier or later is better.

Whatever time frame is chosen, the result is a healthy, altered puppy who will not provide any surprise litters. As a pet parent, this can bring peace of mind, knowing we are helping our communities as well as our puppy!