When Should a Miniature Dachshund Be Neutered?

As a miniature Dachshund parent, you have a lot of important decisions to make in the first year or so of their life.

Vaccinations, training and vet checkups are a big part of your pup’s journey into adulthood.

But the biggest – and one of the most impactful – decisions to make is whether or not to neuter your miniature Dachshund, and how to go about the process.

In this article, we’ll discuss what exactly neutering is, at what age you should neuter your Dachshund, and how the procedure is performed.

We also offer tips for a successful recovery, as well as information on how you may be able to save money on this surgery without compromising your dog’s health and safety.

And if you’re wondering when a miniature Dachshund should be neutered, we have the answer for you!

What Happens When a Miniature Dachshund is Neutered?

Neutering is the surgical removal of a male dog’s testicles, which removes the production of testosterone and sperm.

This procedure eliminates the potential for your dog to reproduce.

Neutering, or “fixing,” dogs have become increasingly popular over the last couple of decades, as it’s traditionally believed that the benefits of this surgery far outweigh the cons.

When your miniature Dachshund is neutered, they will be under general anesthesia. This means that the surgery won’t be painful, and they won’t feel a thing!

Anesthesia is typically induced via an intravenous catheter. Your veterinarian may also administer pain medication in advance to assist with the healing and recovery process.

Contrary to what you may think, your Dachshund won’t feel anything during surgery.

Once your dog is under anesthesia, a breathing tube will be inserted into your Dachshund’s trachea in order to deliver a flow of oxygen and gas anesthesia.

And don’t worry pet parents – the anesthesia is closely adjusted and monitored during the entire surgery.

Vital signs are also measured throughout the procedure to ensure that your pup is safe.

Your veterinarian will now commence with surgery, as long as your Dachshund remains healthy enough to continue.

The surgery is fairly simple and routine, and only a tiny incision may be visible.

After the surgery is complete, a technician will sterilize the surgery site, administer any necessary medications, and get your Dachshund comfortable for initial recovery.

What to Expect After Surgery

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The full recovery period from neuter is two weeks (14 days) but your dog will often be up and walking around within a couple of days.

After surgery, your Dachshund may act “normal” after a day or two but it’s important for them to rest so the surgery site can properly heal.

During recovery, it’s absolutely imperative that you keep your Dachshund from scratching at or licking their surgery site.

Luckily there are tools that can help with that, such as a soft cone or surgery suit. If you prefer not to utilize a cone, you can try a soft recovery collar instead.

These products will ensure that your Dachshund isn’t irritating their incision.

Your veterinarian may also prescribe pain medication if they feel it is necessary for your Dachshund.

During recovery, you will want to restrict activity, such as jumping, running and playing with other dogs to make sure the incision has the chance to rest and heal.

Make sure to set up a cozy spot in your Dachshund’s crate so they can rest and relax post-surgery in case your dog needs a quiet time-out.

What Is the Best Age to Neuter a Miniature Dachshund?

While recommendations vary, the best age to neuter a miniature Dachshund around 12 months old and definitely not before 6 months of age.

According to the new studies around growing puppies and hormones, it’s recommended that a Dachshund be neutered at around 12 months of age.

It’s most beneficial, according to new science on the issue, to wait until a Dachshund puppy’s joints and bones are fully formed (after puberty) before neutering a puppy.

For small dogs like Dachshunds, that age is typically around 11-12 months.

There is also some evidence that neutering your Dachshund even later is beneficial in regard to potential IVDD back injury. To find out more, read the results of this survey of Dachshund owners.

The Dachshund IVDD UK site also has some more detailed information about neutering Dachshunds.

Adult Dachshunds can still be neutered, as long as they are healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.

The age you get your miniature Dachshund neutered at may be influenced by factors other than age like health conditions or undesired behaviors.

When in doubt, it’s always best to ask for your veterinarian’s recommendation.

Pros and Cons of Neutering Your Miniature Dachshund

The pros of neutering your miniature Dachshund are:

Pros:

• Can help prevent aggression
• Can reduce or eliminate behaviors such as marking
• Prevent unwanted litters to reduce the homeless pet population
• Your male dog won’t spend their walks attempting to find a “partner”
• Significantly reduces the risk of prostate cancer and other testicular ailments

Understanding the pros and cons of neutering will help you make an informed decision.

Cons:

• Outward appearance change – a Dachshund may lose some muscle tone and/or the texture of their hair may change
• A dog that doesn’t have reproductive hormones may put on extra weight more easily
• Your dog will not be able to reproduce (but remember to only take part responsible breeding practices)
• Dachshunds neutered (especially before 6 months of age) may be at a slightly at higher risk for IVDD (intervertebral disc disease)
• If you have a female Dachshund that is not spayed, you will need to keep them separated while she is in heat

Although euthanasia rates have dramatically decreased in the last 20 years, there are still millions of dogs who are put down each in shelters year.

Neutering your Dachshund will help further decrease this alarming statistic.

How Much Does it Cost to Neuter a Miniature Dachshund?

The cost of neutering varies greatly depending on where you take your Dachshund for the procedure.

You can expect to pay between $50 and $500 to neuter your dog depending on their needs.

Of course, you should always prioritize the health and safety of your dog, and choose a vet clinic with trusted doctors.

The typical cost of getting a small dog neutered can cost anywhere from about $50-$500.

If your dog has a medical condition requiring more stringent monitoring under anesthesia, or a more complicated neutering procedure, the cost may be increased.

Mainstream veterinary hospitals will be more expensive, but there are a plethora of low-cost options as well (which are often just as good as going to a “regular” vet).

You can research “low cost spay and neuter clinics” near you, or look into free vouchers for the surgery through your local animal control unit.

Animal rescues such as The Humane Society often offer specific low cost surgery days, so that may be something worth looking into.

If you adopt a Dachshund from a shelter or rescue, they will most likely already come neutered. The surgery is generally included in adoption fees.

Alternatives to Neutering Your Miniature Dachshund

While you don’t have to neuter your Miniature Dachshund, it’s highly recommended. However, there are alternatives.

As we discussed above, millions of dogs are euthanized every year due to overpopulation in shelters. By fixing your dog, you can help decrease that statistic and save the lives of unwanted animals.

You can leave your male Dachshund intact instead of neutering them if you choose but be aware that there are health risks involved, such as the increased risk for cancer and testicular issues.

If you choose to leave your Miniature Dachshund fully intact, but don’t want to risk the chance of him getting another dog pregnant, you can opt for a vasectomy instead. A vasectomy sterilizes a dog without impacting any hormones.

Canine vasectomies are not widely available at this point, so you may have a difficult time finding a credible veterinarian in your area who will perform this procedure, but opportunities will likely increase because this method of sterilization is becoming more popular.

If you want to know more about canine vasectomies, check out the Parsemus Foundation the and their list of veterinarians who perform this procedure.

Remember, however, that a vasectomy only eliminates your Dachshund’s ability to reproduce. It won’t reduce any sort of marking, aggression or cancer risk.

The choice to neuter your Miniature Dachshund is completely up to you.

If you need more information before making that decision, consult your veterinarian and ask them specific questions related to your Dachshund’s health and wellbeing.

Final Thoughts

We understand that some Dachshund parents may be extremely nervous about getting their furry friend neutered.

Luckily this is a routine surgery that is painless for your pup and beneficial for their longevity.

Always discuss options with your veterinarian to make sure that your Dachshund is healthy and old enough to undergo a neuter procedure.

About the Author: Through her 17 years of owning and caring for Dachshunds, and almost 10 years researching and writing about them, JW has become a respected expert in the Dachshund community. Read more about her here.