What in your opinion is the best age to have a bitch speyed? My vet says that he does it at six months but I had always been told with previous dogs that they are better waiting until they have had their first season. Any advise appreciated as I only want the best for my pup and I know that as years go by, treatment and ideas change, like everything else. Thanks

Hi Guest,
If you have your bitch spayed before her first heat, there are proven health benefits of reduced cancer. If she is spayed before her second heat, the benefits are reduced by about 30 percent. It seems that anytime after that, does help out over all, but will not guarantee anything.

Here are some websites that might help you decide if you want to have her altered.
Purina's view
quick rundown of benefits
links and more information

There are those who believe spaying is uneccessary unless there is a health problem. Others believe that a matured female is best. That's ok. It's pretty much an individual choice on the part of the owner.

I just know from my own experience that dealing with heat cycles is harder than I thought it would be. I didn't want to worry about unplanned pregnancies or pyrometra. I also didn't like my dogs personalities changing so much with their version of PMS and "Must procreate now!". :)

I've had spayed females for years. To me, they make the best pets. Loyal, watchful, and focused on my family.... not on twice yearly breeding urges that they have no control over. Both Samma and Chienne were spayed before their first heat cycle. No problems ever came out of it. But that's my experience and preference ;)

I hope this helps gives you enough information so that you can make your own choice to determine what is best for you and your bitch.
good luck,
toodles

A lot also depends on breed and size of the breed. In some breeds like Boxers and Rotties a high percentage of spayed bitches develop incontinence, which can be controlled by drugs in most cases, but is certainly one resaon against.

Some breeds, notably spaniels and other silky coatred breeds like setters, can develop terribly deifficult to groom coats after spaying.

It has now been admitted that the study that concluded that spaying reduced cancer risks, was very limited, and that the concflusions are not reliable!

I show and breed, so don't have my girls spayed until after they have produced the next generation. I have to spayed bitches, and their coats have altered slightly, being less neat, and I do have to cut their food back a little!

But cutting back on food amount does result in less poop to clean up and saved money ;) ;) ;) :D :D