My friend has got a collie bitch aged 6 months, and of course she is not considering getting her spayed just yet.  She was just wondering about the rules of showing - someone told her at the collie show today that if her girl has one litter, she can then be spayed and be allowed to keep on being shown.  If she doesn't have a litter, but is spayed for non-medical reason, she cannot be shown under KC rules.  Is that right?
  Hilda

No Hilda, the reason for spaying or castration is immaterial. Just inform the Kennel Club that the operation was performed, and the name and address of the vet who did it, and permission to show will be granted.

Many years ago it used to be true that neutered animals could only be shown if they had registered progeny, but not any more.

So a neutured dog can be shown in any show?  Just because I got a lecture today about not getting Millie spayed in case I want to show her in the future...

Yes,a speyed or castrated dog can be shown at any show as long as the permission has been requested from the kennel club.
Archer

If you're talking about a Rough Collie, the coat will often go very woolly and over-profuse, which would affect her chances and greatly increase the grooming required to keep her comfortable and smart ..... I wouldn't spay a young Collie bitch without a good reason, why sign yourself up to a difficult to manage coat for perhaps 15 years?

Of course, not all dogs are affected in this way ......... but if your friend's is one that is, it's too late :D

M.

The having to have progeny rule was removed back in the Early 80's just before I had to have my Ch Beardie spayed-she grew a length of coat like the modern beardies but the texture didn't change thank goodness

Hi think its a Border Collie BCC of Wales open show was today. :)

Hi, yes it is a border collie.  Thanks for replies everyone - I will pass them on!
  Hilda

Anyone know the results of BCC of Wales results?
Thanks

Char

That rule changed years ago, at least 10 and probably nearer 15!!!  All you need to do is inform the Kennel Club that she is spayed, and they will acknowledge it.

You can show a spayed bitch as long as you have notified the KC but spaying will often change the coat length and texture and spayed bitches tend to put on weight much more easily. Personally I would not spay/neuter any dog that I was intending to show. The thick double coat typical of a rough collie is very prone to change and REALLY hard to keep well groomed and almost impossible to keep in show condition. having said that there was a spayed sheltie bitch ( Miyrrahew Rosa Blue )that had a fantastic run a couple of years back so perhaps it does not affect all bitches in the same way.

Yvonne

Fortunately for me, I won't ever show 'properly' so I'll be okay - it was just someone phoning me after Millie got a first at a fun show and begging me not to get her spayed in case I ever changed my mind about showing her properly as I wouldn't be able to, so in my case, I can now go ahead with getting her spayed (if I so decide) without the niggling worry at the back of my mind.