When Should You Spay or Neuter Your English Bulldog?

When you bring home your English bulldog puppy, you’ll love spending time with them, cuddling them, and playing with them. As much as you love your English bulldog, though, you likely don’t want more puppies than you can handle. Unless you’re a breeder, spaying or neutering your English bulldog is highly recommended. But when should you spay or neuter them? Read on to learn more:

Spaying your English bulldog

“Spaying” is reserved for female dogs. It is a procedure where a female dog’s uterus and ovaries are removed through a small incision in their abdomen. Spaying should always be done by a qualified veterinarian, and while the experience is a little disorienting for your pet, you have no need to worry. They are put under anesthesia and given pain medications to ensure they are kept safe and pain-free.

Most veterinarians recommend you spay your English bulldog before their first heat cycle. For most small dogs like English bulldogs, this means spaying them at about five to six months of age.

However, each dog can be a little different. That’s why it’s vital for you to have a conversation with your veterinarian first, and then they can give you their recommendations.

Neutering your English bulldog

“Neutering” occurs to male dogs. It is where a veterinarian will surgically remove a male dog’s testes. Similar to spaying, neutering should be done by qualified veterinarians. Your dog will be put under anesthesia and pain killers to ensure their comfort.

Male dogs do not go into heat like female dogs do. As such, you can wait a little longer to neuter them. For small-breed dogs, though, most experts recommend neutering them at six to ten months of age. Muscular dogs like bulldogs may even have to wait up to a year.

This is a broader timeline, and the exact time you neuter your bulldog will depend on their behavior and sexual maturity. Vets don’t want to neuter them too early to avoid health defects, but you also don’t want to wait too late. As always, talk to your veterinarian to know what is best for your individual bulldog.

Here at Bulldog Angels, we can also provide some insight on when you should spay or neuter your newly adopted English bulldog. Contact us today to learn more!