Hi All
As most of u proably know Im due to pick up my English BT pup next month and Im a little confused as to the advice I've been given?
I already have a male rescue Staffie (who was neutered at a year old) and have read many a doggie book, ranging from general books to breed spacific books but they all say diffrent things!
Some books recomend the bitch has a litter before being spayed others say this is not the case?
Im confused.
I've spoken to friends with female dogs but always seem to get conflicting advice.
Of course I will ask the vets when shes taken in for her first set of innoculations but any advice now would be a great help.
Can anyone offer advice as to if our new addition should have a litter of pups before being spayed, if so what is a sensable age for her/ if not whats the best age to have her spayed??
Thanx in advance for any replies

Take Care all

Lucy

If it was me, I wouldn't have her spayed especially as the other dog is neutered. It is such a big operation, it wouldn't be fair on her. If I was going to have her spayed, I certainly wouldn't have a litter of pups before just so that she can be spayed (which I think is an old wives tale anyway). Most Bull Terriers make the worst mums and you have to constantly watch them. When my parents used to work in a top Bull Terrier kennel they had bitches that would have to be muzzled so that the pups could feed and others that have killed some of their pups. It is not something you can go into lightly.

It is certainly not necessary for her to have a litter before spaying. However I personally would not have her spayed until she has had at least one, preferably two, seasons and is fully mature both physically and mentally.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

The choice is really best left to you as to should you spay or not. As your dog is nuetered, he does not pose a threat as to making her pregnant. But, you need to consider how you will cope with her seasons, which will happen approx every 6 mths from about age 6-12mths until possibly 10-12 yrs. (I don't know this breed, so these are 'guess work' and generalised ages). Some bitches are very clean, and you hardly notice any marks, some biches are like a bloodbath for a few days. So you will need to be prepared as to where she will stay when in season. You will not be able to take her out exercise for the three weeks or so she is in season, as every dog in a 20 mile radius will be after her! Your garden will need to be extra secure to stop her getting out-or interlopers getting in! You must supervise her at all times when outside as an un-planned mating takes only seconds! It was said that early spaying helped stop mammery cancer, and other problems, but this is now being discounted as the trials were not thorough.
A litter of puppies is not necessary. However, I do belive that it is better to perform this operation when the bitch is fully mature, at least 12 mths--once again, I don't know when this breed stops growing. This allows for all her body to be functioning and not actually be developing when things are removed. Remember this is a major operation, and as such carries its own risk that she may not make it during or post-op. Also, compare it to a woman having the same operation, it is painful and she needs much rest afterwards, and a woman is then given hormones to compensate for loss of overies--a dog is not. This always puzzles me.........
I hope you allow your girl to have at least 2 seasons before you spay her, this will give you chance to see how you both cope with her seasons-although the first season is the worst, as like us she will not know whats going on!! The second is usually much eaiser.
Personally, I think if it ain't broke, don't fix it!! I don't like to spay bitches just to make the owners life eaiser, if a bitch is chosen then the seasons should become part of owning a bitch. But, that is my opinion, and I would not wish to force it on others! Your lifestyle has to be taken into account, and if your bitch is going to holidaying with you, and going out with you where ever you go, then spaying could be the best option.
Get hold of a book called 'The Book of the Bitch'-its a super read for anyone with a bitch, and may help your choice!
Good Luck with her anyway-puppies are such adorable, naughty bundles!!

I disagree with the remark about not taking a bitch out for exercise whilst in season. I take mine out on a lead or a flexi lead. My hounds would dislike
not having a walk for days on end.

Hi Pam
My remark was made for the reason that, if bitches are walked they will attract un-wanted attention of every full dog in the area, and you could well have half the male dog population on your doorstep!! Also, some males can be persistant, and trying to push a rampant male dog off your bitch could well get you bitten! Obviously, this is only likely during her 'dangerous' few days, but it could well be a problem if you were not prepared for it!

Same here, now that due to the work of the Dog Warden there are not the latchkey dogs about, I continue walking my bitches. I stick to non doggy places, like the streets around my home. If I see another dog, I will cross to the other side of the street, I too will got to some of the smaller recreation grounds where dopgs are allowed, and excersise on a flexi when no-one else is about with their dogs, works for us!

Lucy
Why do you want your bitch spayed? IMHO bitches should only be spayed for medical reason but then everyone has their own opinion. Think very carefully before you go ahead and have her spayed. The dog you have is neutered so what is the problem?

Hi I agree with the majority. I dont agree with the spaying of bitches for the owners conveniance, if one is going to buy a bitch - the seasons come with it. Some vets recommend early spaying, even before the first season, or between the first and second season, please do not be persuaded to do this. If you must spay her, make sure she is fully mature mentally and well as phyiscally, as others have said, after a her second season at the earliest, and then half way in between seasons. There is a theory that an immature bitch when spayed, her mental maturity will "stop there". Also some bitches have problems with incontinence and changes to the texture of the coat and the tendancy to put on weight. Do get a copy of "The book of the Bitch", every bitch owners "bible" and see how you get on with managing her for her first couple of seasons. Most bitches only bleed heavily ( if they are heavy bleeders) for a few days, the last two weeks of a season, she will barely bleed at all, as by day 8 or so it is lessening greatly ( on average) and by day 10-12 most bitches have stopped bleeding and are then ready to mate.
I suggest you read up on the symptoms of pyometra, which unspayed bitches very occasionally contract - (a womb infection) - many people spay to avoid this condition, but in reality it is quite rare. After owning several bitches over many years I have only ever had one who contracted it. Once you know what the symptons are and watch out for them after a season ( it usually comes on within 6-8 weeks of a season ending), then you will have no worries. Pyometra is serious and if at any time you think she may have it, you must go to the vet straight away, not wait til to morrow to see if she gets better.
One reason I might spay a bitch would be if she had severe phantom pregnancies following every season,which does happen to some bitches and is distressing and debilitating for them . Good luck with your new puppy whatever you decide.

ok, firstly I dident mean to cause an up-roar....mearly seeking advice on the best path for my new dog.
As I am not a breeder I am not keen on her having a litter. Firstly I know little about breeding/ whelping in general and secondly (in my opinion) there are enough dogs in the world stuck in places like Battersea and the NCDL, more puppies and irrisponsable owners will only add to the problem.

The reason I enquired about Spaying was to find out the disadvantages and benifits of it.
She woulden't be spayed for my "convenience" she would be spayed to stop any "accidents" that could happen.

Before we agreed on a puppy myself and my husband visited many rescue centres in search of another rescue dog but were told that before any dog is re-homed it is agreed in writing that the dog is spayed (either b4 they leave, if of age or arraged to be spayed at the correct age) therefore I assumed this was the best path in the intrest of our new Bitch.
Our local vet has also recommended the proceedure and many friends have........it is difficalt to make an informed decision when everyone is telling u something diffrent.

Im sorry if I may seem ignorant reguarding all this but quite frankly she will be a fireside dog (along will my Staffie) not for breeding/ showing purposes.

Thank you for your advice and views, they have been taken on-board, I think I need to find out a heck of a lot more information before making any decsions.

Hi Lucy
You havn't caused an uproar--you wait until you do see one!! :))
I think everyone realises you only have your girls best interests at heart, and it must seem strange for other dog owners to go against what the Vet and many of the dogs home advisors say!! This is because many have years of experience with dogs, as pets and breeding/working/showing, and have seen from either their own dogs, or from puppies they have sold, the results of spaying. Of course, the people that work in rescue see the results of unwanted litters, and belive bitches are better off spayed. These bitches are either strays,many of mixed breeds, or come from irresponsible homes,and do not come from the type of responsible loving home you are going to give your dog!!
She will only get pregnant when mated. If you keep her from male dogs, she will not get pregnant! All this entails is keeping an eye on her when you exercise her, be it in your garden or out and about. As westie lover quite rightly states, the bleeding is not long, even if the season itself is, so the mess can be contained. Please get 'The Book of The Bitch', it will help you make your choice, and is wonderful reading for anyone owning a bitch anyway.
Good Luck!

Hi Lucy, you haven't caused an uproar at all, dont worry. As tripsox says, rescue people see the results of irresponsible ownership and many vets are jumping on the "spaying bandwagon" as its politically correct at the present time. I am sure anyone reading your enquiry would realise that you are a caring and responsible owner.
If one accepts that 50% of puppies having their first vacc. at a vets will be female and this is usually when spaying is recommended, it is partly, I am certain because to spay a bitch brings them in £100 - £200 per spay, and if a high percentage of clients take this up, because they trust their vet to give them good advice, the practises funds are boosted enormously. Some may accuse me of boing an old cynic, and they would be right!
I personally would not spay as a matter of course, but my personal objection is that many bitches are spayed before they have completely matured.
Hope to see you on the board again, when do you get your puppy?

Thanx for the kind replies.......I was kinda wary of returing incase world war 3 had come about! LOL
Our New addition is to be collected on the 10th of August Im nearly 25 and I feel like a kid at Christmas again! the next 2 weeks wont go fast enough as far as Im concerned!
Anyways we've agreed to give her at least 2 years before we even consider spaying her and will proably be back for more advice in the up-comming future.....guarentee it infact! lol

Thanx again for all the advice
Lucy and Bodie x

Oh while Im here, can anyone offer some advice on the best place to introduce them? As she'll only be 8 weeks old she wont be allowed out.
We're surrounded by fields where we live so I guess thats the best option but any more advice would be greatly apreciated.

I don't think anyone meant to imply you wanted to spay purely for convienience. There is unfortunately a drive to spay very young bitches, and this has prompted a lot of breeders to question such drastic action, as after all responsibly owned bitches to not add to the unwanted puppy problem. should an accident occur there is an injection that can be given, or the bitch can be spayed then. My advice to most pet owners is to neuter their pets once fully mature. Let a bitch have one or even tewo seasons if she is under a year when 'between' seasons (the best time for spaying), or not til a year if a male, longer if it is a large or giant breed!

Dear Lucy,

Having read all the various comments on spaying your bitch, my advice to you is to do it when she is mature, i.e over 2 years old. I am going to have my own collie bitch spayed as she gets very miserable on her seasons and gets quite agressive with other bitches.
It is quite a big op but very routine, vets perform them every day, so I wouldnt worry too much about any complications, as long as she is fit and healthy before the op.
If you live in the city, your bitch will attract male dogs on her season, you might well find your neutered male will try to protect her and will get into fights. Also it will be a nightmare taking her for a walk, especially to the park where there will be dogs off lead.
Good luck with your girl whatever decision you make.

Hi Lucy,
I recently had my border collie pup spayed before her first season on the advice of my vet. He suggested that I do this if I wasn't going to breed her. He said this was on the back of evidence from vets in Holland to suggest that there was a fall in many types of cancer with bitches that had been speyed. Check with your vet Lucy...he'll tell you whats best for your pup .

Cheers

Hi, Ive just had one of my young bitches spayed as she has a hereditry problem and I didnt want to run the risk of any pregnancy problems plus I had been advised by several sources (all professional) that it would reduce the risks of mammary tumours as well as rule out any possibility of pyometra (I have her dad here as a stud dog). She wont be rehomed because of her problems as I have been advised and I have just spent £450 getting her *sorted*. I was very worried about her being spayed but she did have one of her other ops at the same time. Having said that she was back to normal in just 3 days and never bothered with her stitches. If i am not going to breed from a bitch I will have it spayed, not for convenience but for her future health.