Specific Recommendations for Neutering and Spaying Dobermans Based on Research - Part I
As a Doberman owner, deciding on whether and when to neuter your dog can be challenging. Recent research published in 2020 and 2024 by the University of California, Davis, Davis (CA, United States) has shed light on the health risks and benefits of neutering within 40 different breeds. Please be advised that this research is but one puzzle piece to the answer to what potentially influences certain cancers, joint disorders, and other common health concerns in our canine companions. Every research study has limitations, which we discussed in a separate blog post. We strongly recommend reading our part 2 about the limitations in addition. However, for a closer look at the research-based recommendations for male and female Dobermans, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand the findings and make an informed decision for your Doberman Pinscher while considering the research’s limitations.
Male Dobermans
Recommendation: Leave intact for life.
Why This Recommendation?
Cancer Risks:
Higher Risk When Neutered: Research from 2020 and 2024 shows that neutered male Dobermans have a higher risk of developing certain cancers, including lymphoma, mast cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma, and osteosarcoma, especially when neutered after their first birthday.
Lower Cancer Rates When Intact: Intact male Dobermans showed markedly lower rates of these cancers compared to their neutered counterparts.
While the results were not statistically significant, they were comparatively increased enough to recommend leaving them intact for life. (We will offer a word about the statistical significance and limitations of the cited research to consider towards the end of this article).
Trend Towards Increased Risk
While the findings might not have reached statistical significance, the trend showed a higher incidence of cancers in neutered male Dobermans compared to intact males:
Intact males: 2% cancer rate.
Neutered at 1 year: 6% cancer rate (non-statistically significant increase)
Neutered at 2-8 years: 13% cancer rate (non-statistically significant increase)
This trend, even if not statistically significant, suggests a potential risk that could be clinically relevant.
Joint Health:
No Significant Difference: The study found no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of joint disorders between neutered and intact male Dobermans. This finding could indicate that neutering and the neutering time point do not offer a clear advantage or disadvantage regarding male Dobermans’ joint health.
Summary for Male Dobermans:
Main Concern: Increased cancer risk with neutering.
Health Benefits: Leaving them intact avoids this increased cancer risk without negatively impacting joint health. If there is a reason to neuter them, however, it should be done before their first birthday as the cancer risk is still six instead of thirteen percent. Contrary to conventional wisdom, this research indicates that waiting to neuter has no benefit for a male Doberman’s joint health, and earlier neutering has no observed ill effect on their joints, according to the study.
Female Dobermans
Recommendation: Delay spaying until beyond 24 months of age.
Why This Recommendation?
Urinary Incontinence (UI):
High Risk When Spayed Early: In the study, female Dobermans spayed before one year of age showed a significant risk of developing urinary incontinence, ranging from 25% for those spayed before six months to 19% for those spayed between 1 and 2 years.
Reduced Risk When Spayed Later: The research indicated that delaying spaying until beyond two years significantly reduces the risk of urinary incontinence.
Joint Health:
Increased Risk When Spayed Early: Spaying female Dobermans before one year can increase the risk of joint disorders. While this increase did not reach statistical significance, it is still a concern, even though there may be additional factors at play that explain the increase.
Healthier Joints When Spayed Later: Spaying after two years may still help ensure healthier joint development since spaying within 11 months after birth was associated with an 11 percent higher occurrence of joint disorders in the Doberman population the study examined.
Cancer Risks:
No Significant Increase: Unlike male Dobermans, female Dobermans did not show a statistically significant increase in cancer risks when spayed (two versus four percent between intact and spayed females) in the cited studies.
Pyometra:
Understanding the Risk: Pyometra is a serious uterine infection that can occur in intact females, particularly older ones. However, the research indicates that the risk of pyometra in Dobermans is relatively low compared to the more immediate concerns of urinary incontinence and joint disorders with early spaying. There are some caveats here that we discuss in our article about the limitations of this research, though.
Research Findings: In this study, only 7% of intact female Dobermans were reported to have pyometra. This relatively low incidence suggests that while pyometra is a valid concern, it should not urge people to spay their dog before the recommended 24 months.
Summary for Female Dobermans:
Main Concerns: Increased risk of urinary incontinence with early spaying.
Health Benefits: Delaying spaying until beyond two years reduces these risks and may still support overall joint health. After all, while the increase did not reach statistical significance, females spayed within 11 months of their birth showed an eleven percent increase in joint disorder incidence. On the other hand, the risk of pyometra appears to be relatively low and primarily a concern for older intact females.
Why These Recommendations Are Unique to Dobermans
Breed-Specific Findings:
Dobermans vs. Other Breeds: The research shows that Dobermans, especially males, may have a unique risk profile compared to other breeds. While many breeds may benefit from delayed neutering, the increased cancer risk in neutered male Dobermans makes the recommendation to keep them intact particularly important. The researchers mention that even though the overall recommendation is to keep male Dobermans intact, owners considering neutering should do so before the dog’s first birthday.
Statistical Significance:
Understanding the Data: When a result is not statistically significant, it means that the study did not find strong enough evidence to conclude a clear association or, more specifically, correlation. This does not mean, however, that the association does not exist. For Dobermans, the increased cancer risk in neutered males was significant enough to inform the recommendation to keep them intact for life, even if some findings were not statistically significant.
The recommendation to leave male Dobermans intact for life, despite the lack of statistical significance in the increased cancer risks observed in the study, can be attributed to several factors based on our professional experience of having worked in clinical research and having obtained two science-based degrees:
1. Trend Towards Increased Risk
While the findings might not have reached statistical significance, the trend showed a higher incidence of cancers in neutered male Dobermans compared to intact males:
Intact males: 2% cancer rate.
Neutered at 1 year: 6% cancer rate (non-statistically significant increase).
Neutered at 2-8 years: 13% cancer rate (non-statistically significant increase).
This trend, even if not statistically significant, suggests a potential risk that could be clinically relevant.
2. Fragmentary Data
The term "fragmentary" indicates that the data were incomplete or not robust enough to draw definitive conclusions. Given this uncertainty, a more conservative approach is often recommended to avoid potential health risks.
3. Comparison with Other Breeds
In comparison to other breeds, where statistically significant differences were more clear-cut, the Dobermans showed a consistent pattern of higher cancer rates in neutered males, even if not statistically significant. This pattern might have influenced the recommendation to err on the side of caution.
4. Clinical Judgement and Risk Management
Veterinarians and researchers might recommend leaving male Dobermans intact based on a combination of:
Observed Trends: Higher cancer rates in neutered males.
Fragmentary Data: Incomplete data necessitate a cautious approach.
General Health Principles: Maintaining intact status avoids the potential risks associated with neutering seen in other breeds and conditions.
5. Balance of Risks and Benefits
Given the potential for increased cancer risk and the lack of significant benefits from neutering (such as reductions in joint disorders or other conditions), the balance of risks and benefits might favor leaving male Dobermans intact.
The recommendation to leave male Dobermans intact is likely a cautious approach based on observed trends in increased cancer risk, even though these findings did not reach statistical significance. Using "fragmentary" data underscores the uncertainty and the need to err on the side of caution to avoid potential health risks. This recommendation balances the incomplete evidence likely with clinical judgment, aiming to provide the best health outcome for male Dobermans.
Taking the Research Into Consideration
According to the cited research, the best practice for male Dobermans is to leave them intact to minimize cancer risks. For female Dobermans, delaying spaying until beyond 24 months may help reduce the risk of urinary incontinence and joint disorders, even though the latter was not used as a reason for the recommendation. The risk of pyometra is relatively low and should be considered alongside other health factors. These breed-specific recommendations are based on comprehensive research findings and aim to promote the long-term health and well-being of your Doberman.
Despite all these findings, we must note that the research has limitations, which we will address in a separate blog post. Always consult your veterinarian to tailor these recommendations to your dog's health and lifestyle needs. There are a multitude of reasons that should influence your choices. For instance, Persephone, our Doberman, is incredibly sensitive to drugs. Hence, we will need to weigh her options based on her overall health concerns that may influence her potential reactions to anesthesia against the benefits of spaying her. For us, however, conventional spaying is not of concern since we will opt for a hormone-sparing spay, and we will offer our rationale behind this decision in an upcoming blog post. No matter your view on spaying and neutering, by making informed decisions that should also be based on the dog in front of you, you can help ensure a healthier and happier life for your Doberman.
References
Hart, B.L., Hart, L.A., Thigpen, A.P., & Willits, N.H. (2020, July 7). Assisting Decision-Making on Age of Neutering for 35 Breeds of Dogs: Associated Joint Disorders, Cancers, and Urinary Incontinence. Journal of Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7(388). https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00388
Hart, L.A., Thigpen, A.P., Hart, B.L., Willits, N.H., Lee, M., Babchuck, M.M., Lee, J., Ho, M., Clarkson, S.T., & Chou, J.W. (2024, April 12). Assisting decision-making on age of neutering for German Short/Wirehaired Pointer, Mastiff, Newfoundland, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Siberian Husky: associated joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence. Journal of Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1322276/full
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