Does spaying a bitch make any difference to showing her? Is there any requirement that a bitch should be unspayed in order to show her or anything?

Thanks

Lucy

Lucy,
I've just asked the same question on my post! i personally don't think it should make any difference to showing your bitch, it is a personal choice and not every good show dog should necessarily be bred from, otherewise we'd be over run!!! We keep being told to neuter our dogs so I don't think we should be penalised for reducing the numbers of unwanted dogs, pedigrees included.
What do other people think?
Emily

Hi the only problem with spaying a bitch and showing is the effect it may have on the coat of some breeds.It can change it from the correct easily maintained texture for the breed to something that is fluffy mats easily and means they wouldn't have a coat that fits the breed standard.You do have to tell the kennel club as well but that is more of a formality these days as they issue you a letter with permission to show once you inform them. Gillian

Some breeds do not suffer at all with coats but others become impossible to manage for the show ring, in some bitches the over all shape changes and this too would not be helpful in the ring, apart from that there is no reason why you should not show a spayed bitch providing you have asked permission. If you do intend to spay I would not do it when the bitch is too young wait till she is mature and has developed a good hard condition that way it will be less of a trouble to keep your girl in good enough physical condition to be a show girl.

My dogs breeder said I should get her spayed before her first season. Is this wrong?

I wouldn't. But then, she's not my bitch.
:)

Jeangenie why wouldn't you? Can it harm them?

I personally don't believe there have been enough studies done to prove that no harm is done. Some bitches are fine for the rest of their lives, but others certainly have longterm problems that seem to be a side-effect of early spaying. My personal view is that an animal should be physically mature before it is neutered, but others may well disagree. In fact, unless I had an entire male in the house as well, I probably wouldn't spay at all, because I've never found seasons to be that much of a nuisance.
:)

No, nor would I but then I would not be spaying mine till they were about 8 years so I supose my thoughts don't count.