Thank you so very much for this incredible article and the wealth of information it I learned from it. I am an American living in Berlin Germany with a 12 month old Cream English Golden Retriever Female. As an American I am just used to the idea of neutering a dog before they are sexually mature because that is what a responsible dog owner was supposed to do. it is so different in Germany. It is actually against the law to neuter a dog, male or female, unless there is a medical reason. Vets certainly get by this law and dog owners do neuter their dogs without a medical reason, but it is considerably less than in the States. I am responsible and I am not concerned about pregnancy for my dog. She has already had one heat and I was going to have her neuter surgery next week. After reading your article I am now very unsure of my decision. My Vet here told me to have the surgery, that it would decrease her risk of cancer, and that she has had all the benefits of the hormones for her growth and bones. She is my first dog, and I am reading everything I can, in both languages but I still feel confused and over my head. I don't care about her heats, if it is messy or not and I am not worried about her getting pregnant. I just want to do what is best for her health and that she has long life. Having said that, and based on your findings would you suggest that I keep her intact and not have the surgery at all?
I know no one can predict the future and of course she could get cancer or a joint disease, but I want to do anything I can to help reduce those risks.
I thank you in advance for your opinion and help in this matter.
With kindest regards,
Leigh