Our dog has been spayed due to her having a severe vaginal stricture.  She had reached a very good level in the showring prior to that and we had wanted to breed from her as she is breed standard and has a clean bill of health.  We felt it unfair to have her operated on to remove the stricture as our vet advised us that any pups she susequently had would be very likely to require a caesarian and we felt that we could not justify putting her through this. We also did not feel that we wanted to risk an accidental mating.   My question is this - since we had her spayed for what we regard to be health reasons would the KC agree to her being shown and would her being spayed count against her as we have heard that neutered dogs are sometimes discounted by judges ?  We would be happy to show her just for fun but would like to know if we would be unlikely to be placed. Thank you.

If your vet words the letter properly saying it was for medical reasons the Kennel Club will probably agree to you continue to show. You dont have to tell the judge so they wont know and it doesnt penalize you.

I don't know what breed you have but in mine Goldens usually the coat changes after they have been spayed.

You will not have any problem getting permission to show your bitch. Neutered dogs are penalised because it's obvious to a judge that they've got bits missing - a judge won't ask you & won't know if your bitch is neutered. Neutered bitches have gone BIS at general Championship shows before now.

Just write a letter to the KC informing them that she has been spayed. You will then receive permission to show. You don't have to give a reason, and it doesn't require a vet's letter (or it didn't last I heard).

You do not need to ask for permission to show your dog/bitch once neutered.  The regulations which are printed on all schedules state that
"operations to prevent breeding, provided that such operations are notified to the Kennel Club before neutered dogs are shown"  
are allowed.

Note that the wording is 'notified', not that permission is needed.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Keep your mouth shut and no-one will know if a bitch has been spayed!!!! ;)

As long as ou set aside 3 weeks every 9 mthsish no one is likly to catch on!

It would be best tho to notify the KC!

Rox