I have a six month old Tibetan Terrier. I am not going to breed from her, should I have her spayed. I am afraid that she will have weight problems and that her coat might alter. Should I wait until she has had one season. I would appreciate any adive on this subject.

Do you have a male that you need to protect this bitch from? If she's an only dog, is there any NEED to have her spayed? Do you allow her to roam? Does she escape regularly from your garden? I have never had a bitch spayed, never seen the need and I keep both sexes 3 dogs 4 bitches, the anaesthetic risk scares me . The only case of pyometra I've had was in a bitch that had had a litter. Weight gain and hormonal coat changes (for the worse) are likely as you are already aware. Think carefully before you commit yourself and your bitch, there's no going back.
Dawn R.

Hiya guest.
I've had three bitches spayed in the past, none have put on weight or had any changes in their coats.
There is a risk with spaying (as with any op), but personally i think the risk outweighs the problems that can occur later in life.
A friend of mine who has put off getting her bitch spayed has just had to take her dog in to have a mammary tumour removed.
One of my bitches had horrendous phantom pregnancies which got worse after every season.

Edited to say: Yes personally i would wait until after the first season.

I had one of my Bullmastiff bitch's spayed 2 months ago as she had Pyometra and she is 7 years old and i have to say she is like a youngster again she must feel so much better and she looks wonderful. Jackie

Being cured of any infection is going to make you feel better! Having toothache sorted takes years off you - but it doesn't mean I'm going to have all my teeth taken out "just in case"!
:)

Oh please dont talk about teeth!!!! i have just had work done i hate the dentists but have found a wonderful one that gives you some great stuff which makes you very sleepy and you just dont care what he does, jackie

Hi,
Personally I would wait until my bitch had a first season, though most vets seem to think it is okay to spay before this. Early spaying gives maximum protection against mammary tumours and of course neutering prevents the misery of phantom pregnancy and the very real danger of uterine infection.

Weight gain is not inevitable - plenty exercise and sensible diet, prvent this. Coat changes, never noticed a difference, but I'd rather have a healthy live companion with a wooly/thicker coat, than lose her to disease.
Anaesthetic risk? Yes, there is always a small, calculated risk, but anaesthetics are safer than ever and your vet will carry out a full pre operative check, including blood screen (if deemed nec).
My 5lb Chihuahua sailed through her spay operation, as did my male - when castrated!
I've been involved with animal welfare to know that dogs do develop mammary tumours, seen many old unwanted bitches with them, do develop pyometra, friends dog died from it :(
I always say, better to perform elective neutering on a young/healthy dog, than wait until they are elderly and already sufering from a serious disease.
I think that you will find owners of solely companion dog, ie those not showing and breeding usually have a different perspective to those breeding and this may well be reflected in the answer to your post.
My advice would be have her spayed after first season, but of course discuss this with a vet you know and trust, or at least one reccomended to you. They will answer any questions you may have. :)

I had my bitch (15 months - after 1 season) spayed on Monday and the next day she was bouncing around as normal, no problems (touch wood :) ) and stitches due out on Wednesday.

Daisy

I've had 4 bitches spayed, all had coat changes, nothing as serious as the castrated dog had, 2 became incontinent in their later years and one dribbles around the time she would have been in season, and that one has become aggressive toward other dogs and some people, she also reacts to children which she didn't before she was spayed at nearly 4 years following a disastrous whelping when her womb became infected, nearly lost her so we are inclinded to be tolerent of the changed temperment which otherwise we would not.

As part of the sale agreement with our breeder, I am obliged to have her spayed as she is a mismark. Also, as I have absolutely no desire to breed, l know nothing about it (nor wish to accidentaly :) ), I consider myself to be doing the responsible thing to ensure 100 % that she can't have puppies. Without going into all the oft repeated arguments pro/con spaying, to spay her is my choice. My older dog was neutered 3 1/2 years ago and hasn't had any problems. For my situation, neutering is the best option - for others it isn't. There are risks with both options.

Daisy