You’ve just become a French bulldog owner and you probably have many questions about this adorable little breed. Particularly, ‘at what age should you neuter a French bulldog?’ is the one that weighs on your mind the most. There are several things you should know first in order to make a fully informed decision and therefore let’s discover them.
Should I neuter a French bulldog?
Millions of dogs have neutered every year and many people consider it to be a necessary procedure that can prolong the dog’s life. It also prevents them from developing some of life’s most common health conditions such as cancer and other diseases.
Are you aware that a neutered French bulldog is less prone to roam away from home? Because generally, it’s a male dog’s nature to search for a mate. And, if you have any experience with owning this dog type, you probably know it will search for a way to get out of your property so that it can go searching for such ‘companionship’.
On the other hand, many experts claim that neutering helps a Frenchie to be better behaved. They’ll be less prone to show aggression and other behavioral issues such as separation anxiety. At the same time, they’ll be less prone to marking territories and mounting other dogs, people, and objects.
When Is the best age to neuter a French bulldog?
Neutering a French bulldog is not a new thing, as there are many people deciding to do it. However, many of them don’t know when to do it. And that’s understandable since uncounted myths and numerous myths regarding this matter have been spread out. To understand what benefits you will get if your little friend goes through a neutering procedure, let’s discuss the basic aspects of this issue.
Neutering and spaying are recommended procedures for rescued dogs because, in that way, we also prevent unwanted litters with health issues to be born. On the other hand, there are many myths that have been associated with French bulldog neutering. While some think that this surgery leads to gaining weight, others blame it for stunt growth, and laziness as well. However, the truth is that these facts depend only on the owner’s responsibility, lifestyle, and care he provides to a dog.
Age limit for neutering a Frenchie
The answer to a question when to neuter a French bulldog is when your dog becomes fully muscularly developed. In other words, this procedure can be performed from the dog’s 8th month of age. The earlier you perform the surgery, the better it will be for your dog. Therefore, try to do it between the 8-12th month.
Anesthetic risks for a dog
When we talk about the anesthetic risks, you should search for a hospital and anesthesiologists that have experiences with the breed.
What are the pros and cons of neutering a French bulldog?
Pros
- prolongs the life expectancy
- decreases health issues
- prevents unwanted behavior such as the tendency to run away, and marking the territory
- prevents aggressive behavior
Cons
- it might be risky for a dog’s bone development if it’s performed early (before 8th month)
- the high price of a procedure
- reaction to anesthetic
- not all Frenchies will solve the behavioral issues
Recovery
There isn’t much you can do to speed up your dog’s recovery. So, just be patient, offer plenty of love and cuddles, and make sure your dog has an easy place to rest. If the surgery was done under anesthesia, you should always check with the surgeon first before allowing your Frenchie to get up and move around too soon. Dogs that undergo anesthesia are usually disoriented after they wake up, so they may not react well if they suddenly wake up and find themselves still in a bright and noisy room. That’s why it’s advisable to restrict your Frenchie’s activity for approximately 5- 7 days. Besides, it’s advisable to wear the Elizabethan cone to prevent him from chewing and licking the spot.