When To Neuter A Border Collie? The #1 Best Option

If you have a male Border Collie and you’re considering neutering it, you might be thinking about questions like exactly when to neuter a Border Collie, what the benefits of neutering your Border Collier are, what the procedure is like, how much it costs, what the risks are if any at all, and so on.

So, in this post we’ll be going over all of these questions and more, to help you get a better understanding of what to expect when it comes to neutering your male Border Collie, if you want to end up doing so.

Remember, that even though here at TheBorderCollie.Net, we always try to do the best of research for each given topic on our favorite dog breed, it’s always best to consult with your licensed veterinarian whenever a major health decision like this one is on the line. 

What Is Neutering?

Neutering is the male sterilization procedure, in which there is a surgical removal of the testicles, with the main goal of avoiding future procreation and unwanted pregnancies.

It’s an extremely common procedure that most male dogs undergo. This is in part because it’s very simple to do, as the risks to the dog’s health are pretty much nonexistent.

It’s also common because, without it, it’s virtually impossible to prevent sexual encounters that may lead to unintended pregnancies throughout the male’s life. 

As a matter of fact, most males that are rescued from dog shelters are already neutered to factor in the chances that their new owners won’t be able to control their dog from procreating.

As a general statistic only 1 in 12 dogs born, will find a home. The rest are either euthanized or homeless, so neutering a male Border Collie is an option that many owners decide to take.

The female version of neutering is called spaying, and in this instance you have a surgical removal of either the ovaries or the uterus or both. If you want to learn more about this, we’ve created an article on when to spay a Border Collie, here.    

When To Neuter A Border Collie: The Best Time.

As for the question of exactly when to neuter a Border Collie, the general consensus is that the best time to neuter it, is going to be at the 6 to 9 months of age, after the dog has fully developed and grown, which will decrease the likelihood of it developing hip dysplasia or joint disorders (more on that in the risks section).

In the case of the male, there is no real issue in sterilizing a bit later (say 1 year or so) as opposed to what might happen with females, since the procedure is not as invasive. 

With that said, you do however want to make sure you’re not neutering your Border Collie way too early. Your pup needs to have some exposure to the male hormones to fully develop, as well as be in good health to withstand the anesthesia.

Essentially, you want your dog to already be an adult, by the time you decide to go forth with the neutering.

Pros Of Neutering A Border Collie

So why is neutering a male dog such common practice? There are a lot of pros of neutering your male Border Collie, some of which include:

• Avoid unwanted pregnancies. Unwanted puppies are a massive problem.
• Completely removes the risks of developing testicular cancer, the 2nd most common cancer in male dogs.
• Helps tame the dog and make it less aggressive. Intact male dogs are very likely to start fights with other dogs.
• Helps with roaming behavior. Intact male dogs will do almost anything to find a mate, including running away.
• The testosterone in their body drives them to mark their territory everywhere, which doesn’t happen if they’re neutered.  

Cons Of Neutering A Border Collie

Neutering your Border Collie, also comes with some disadvantages of course. Some of these disadvantages you want to take into consideration are:

• Reduced testosterone levels lead to more docile, more effeminate males.
• Possible decrease in overall energy.
• Increased likelihood of weight gain.
• Possible enlargement of the prostate.
• Behavioral changes are not guaranteed. Some behaviors can only be changed through teaching.

Risks Of Neutering A Border Collie

As opposed to what would happen when sterilizing a female Border Collie, where there is an incision in the abdomen and the potential for infection is a lot greater (as well as post operation complications) the risks of infection in male Border Collies after the neutering procedure, is a whole lot less.

With that said, there are still risks that might come from neutering your Border Collie which include:

• Possible infections. Infections are always possible when it comes to surgical procedures.
• Urinary incontinence. Same as with females, the procedure might cause the dog to have trouble when urinating.
• Increased risk of hip dysplasia if you neutered him before he completely developed, as the gonadal hormones are involved in correct bone growth.
• Increased risk of joint disorders.
• Increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
• Possible increased risk of hypothyroidism (easily treatable). 

Signs Your Border Collie Needs To Be Neutered

There are a few signs that may have you highly consider neutering your Border Collie. Some of these signs include:

• Constantly marking its territory inside the house, on other people or dogs.
• Being constantly aggressive towards other dogs for no apparent reason.
• Overly excessive barking, mounting, howling and/or whining.
• Constantly trying to escape, digging holes, or breaking fences.

Each dog is its individual case however, so you want to always seek expert advice and make sure it is in fact the best option, before carrying out the operation.

How Much Does It Cost To Neuter A Border Collie

When it comes to the price of neutering male Border Collie, it typically costs around $200 to $300 to complete.

It’s a bit cheaper than the price to sterilize a female Border Collie, simply because it’s a slightly different operation. 

This price will obviously depend on the specific veterinarian rates, the size of your dog, if your dog ends up needing more anesthetics or painkillers, if there are any complications down the line or if your dog needs additional checkups, and so on.

In some cases, the cost of the procedure may be covered by pet insurance so make sure to check!

Conclusion

When it comes to neutering your male Border Collie dog, unfortunately, there is no single solution that fits every dog and as with many things in life, there are pros and cons.

As a Border Collie owner, you must then weigh the benefits against the risks, and make the decision for yourself. It’s important to be proactive and make your own research, and don’t forget to get expert advice from your licensed veterinarian too.

The best time to neuter a male Border Collie is usually in the first 6 to 9 months of age although there is no harm in waiting until their first year or so to do so.

Neutering makes your dog less aggressive and territorial but it also increases the likelihood of certain diseases, especially if you neuter it too early.

It’s a balancing act, but if you decide not to neuter your Border Collie, please commit fully to taking care of your pup properly in order to prevent them adding to the dog overpopulation problem. Remember that most dogs, don’t find a loving home.