I have heard quite a lot of people saying that if you have a bitch it is better to breed her at least once as it reduces the risk of cancer and other diseases later on in life.
Is this true or just an old wives tale?

If you read this site billybob, you won't hear anyone say that here!  ;)  It's an old wives tale.

So there is no substance at all to that reasoning then.......just asking,so don't bite my head off lol

No Billybob times have changed and no-one thinks it will affect your dog, if they never have a litter once in they're life and they're spayed.  It want affect they're life in the slightest.

warm regards Susan

There are lots of complications that can happen during pregnancy/whelping so I would think that you are actually putting a bitch more at risk by breeding from her.

Woman who do not have children are slightly more at risk of cancers of the reproductive system because we flood ourselves with hormones every month and do not limit it ever by breastfeeding but it is rather different for dogs even if we choose not to have children we rarely have a hysterectomy to ensure it :).  If a bitch is spayed at a fairly young age her chances of getting uterine or ovarian cancers is nil and mammary cancer much reduced.  Even if she is not spayed the chances of dying from cancer are probably a lot less than the risk to her life of having a litter so as a move towards ensuring her health it is a bit of a non starter.

Thank's for the replys I just wasn't sure if there was any truth or not in this theory of breeding once.Suki is 2yrs and 4 months old,do you suggest getting her spayed as soon as possible?

If you want to get her spayed then yes I would say she is well matured and ready to be.  As Susan has pointed out you don't have to if you don't want to as it is entirely possible to prevent litters without spaying.  Many of the posters on here have kept entire bitches for all of their lives and avoided anything untoward happening but everyones circumstances are different and that may not be the best for you.  Spaying certainly would stop any chances totally :) and also removes all risk of pyometra (a not particularly rare, seriously life threatening womb infection) and would appear to reduce the chances of mammary tumours although knowing the signs and symtoms of these diseases will very often mean they can be dealt with early and rapidly thereby minimising their effect in many cases.  Some bitches suffer incontinence after spaying although that generally applies to bitches spayed rather younger than yours and is worst with certain breeds.  As Susan indicates compare all these aspects with your own particular circumstances, discuss them further with your vet and then decide.

Very much an old wives tale.
:)

Thats up to you Billybob read up as much as you can and develope your own opinion as whats best for your dog.

Warmest regards Susan

I heard spaying after first heat does this but never this :p

Can I just add, what a refreshing change for someone to check out whether or not this old wives tale was true rather than just going ahead and doing it anyway. Thank you Billybob, you have brightened up my day. At long last someone who thinks for themselves and does their own research instead of jumping in feet first. :)