I'm due to get my ckcs spayed at the end of this month prior to her first season.  I spoke to my vet about it when my pup was 12 wks and as I'm concerned about her not having her first season I spoke to another vet at my vets surgery who advised the same.  To spay her before her first season.  She assured me that my pup would still be the same dog and would grow up just fine.  I'm concerned that she will not mature properly.  Has any one else had this breed spayed prior to the first season.  All my friends have have large dogs and they have been advised to let their dogs have first season.  Even my vet has advised them of this.  confused help.

I do hope your vet is right, but as a cynic I would never guarantee the outcome of anything. If your vet can see into the future, then you can believe her assurances that your bitch will grow up fine. Quite likely she is right. But to assure you of it before the event? Hmmm ...
:)

Lets hope the vets are right, but it is not something I would do to my bitch. It has been done in the USA a fair bit and there has been evidence of undeveloped genitailier, may be your vet has a view into the future that I don't. But she is your bitch and it is your money and the vets are your servents, so I am sorry to say it is up to you.

Hello guest,

Did your vets give you any good reason for spaying her before a first season?.  This seems to be a new thing to me, a lot of my American friends have been advised to get both bitches and dogs spayed/castrated when they are still very young (still puppies in my opinion).  Unless they can give you some positive reasons for this, I would be rather dubious about it.  My bitch was spayed, like many others, halfway between seasons, I was advised that this gives them enough time for really stong bones and a good coat-I do know that the earlier spayed bitches didn't seem to have got their adult coats properly, they still were rather 'fuzzy'.
Hey, at the end of the day its up to you, but I would definitely do some more information gathering before having it done.
Good luck in whatever you decide.

Ali :)

Hi Guest

My vet said exactly the same...explaining the reduced percentage rate of mammory cancers by spaying before 1st season...etc...etc..etc.
I even thought I was being a more responsible dog owner by arranging this opertation at the first opportunity (avoiding unwanted pregnancy etc)....in truth, I think I was also a like 'frightened' by the whole prospect too. However, I ended up doing what I now truely consider to be the best decision.....I listened to those with non biased opinions, those who have owned and cared for many, many dogs and therefore really speak from experience (who were actually the people that I consider the 'true' experts on this website/forum).
My decision was to let my bitch have her first season....I had an overwhelming sense of pride on her first day of 'showing'! (so soppy) yes there were new/additional responsibilities like watching your little one like a hawk (some very randy doggies that will do anything to get to your precious one out there!)...the 'spotting' on the carpets can be cleaned up (no big problem at all, they even do 'panties' if you are worried....and my bitch didn't even need them)....yes, she got a bit clingey (but hey, they can be like that at any time)....yes, she did act like a funny little trollop, strutting her stuff, looking for a man :D  ....but it really wasn't the so-called 'ordeal' that even my Vets said it would be... ("Oh dear....you're in for a very rough ride I'm affraid" !! Rubbish - was not the case at all)
I suppose, what I am trying to say within this rambled message to you is....of course it is your own decison, respectfully....however, if your original decision to get her spayed before her first season was purely based on some of the concerns I've mentioned above....then why not give it another mulling over. There are loads of people here that are all so kind and willing to answer any questions....believe me..I've asked some REALLY stupid ones :D
Anyway...there are no guarantees with anything in life.....such as the great outcome of letting my Rosie have her first season and now being less clingey and appearing more content than ever before.
I know its a tough decision...and don't really agree with the small/large breed differences your vet mentioned..but just felt so strongly about the positive outcome of my situation, that I wanted to share it with you.. (whatever you decide)
Take Care
Jo
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