Hello everyone. Not been on the board for a while. I have a query regarding my two dogs. Maybe I should have posted this on the health or breeding board. I was'nt sure so Ive put it here. (Admin can move it if needs must) Murphy is now a year old. Maggie is almost 6 months. I have cages to separate them when maggie goes into heat. I am wondering whether I should use a contraceptive on either or both dogs, or whether to suffer the 3 weeks of chaos.
I am not sure about health risks from these medical forms of contraception. I dont know all the available methods/medicines either.
Do the breeders/owners of whole dogs/bitches use anything like Tardac etc, and if so are these methods safe.

Regards Mick.

If this is the bitches first season, you'll not get anything for it from the vet-been there, tried that! And I'm not a fan of the male "injection", made my Munster dog doubly, even tripley worse than he was!!!!! Either that or Munsters have very strong hormones 'cos even when I have had the bitches injected to prevent a season, they've come in!!!!!!!

Hi Mick,

there have been studies that show the injection of the bitch twice a year can cause cancer :(. Why don't you neuter them *gg*?

Taylor

Hello Taylor

Im still considering breeding. Both my dogs and their parents and grandparents are well balanced dogs with good bloodlines good temp/health/and specimens of the breed (so far). I might look for another dog from them in a few years. I havent written off neutering yet, Im waiting to see how both develop as its early yet. If I decide not to breed I would neuter both off them. If I did breed all my pups are already booked by people (friends and family) that I have known for years, all bull and terrier people. I would know where the pups were going and would see them regularly. I agree that there are too many dogs being bred and ending up in rescue centres. I would love to home them all, but my preference is a dog that I have had from a pup.
My own dogs are socialised and walk off the leash for most of the time. They will ignore other dogs if told to walk on. Maggie is a bit young for perfect obedience yet but she is getting there. I have both my dogs with me most of the time. Apart from sleeping they only spend about 10 hours a week on their own.
Went off at a tangent there. sorry for the long post, just explaining why I may or may not breed.

Mick

whatever happened to good old fashioned common sense husbandry? :(l

Hi Mick.
I have had experience of Tardak, my boss used it on her Hamilton and it worked fine, there are no lasting effects, just a chemical castration. Bitches, now I will shortly be in the same boat as you! I have 2 entire males and a 5.5mth bitch puppy, what do I do? Tardak is calculated on the size of the dog, 2 small dogs will probably cost £60.00 or so, I could have a delvosteron (sp) injection on Breeze, my vet will do it. I could put her in kennels, but how fair is that? at 6mth or so she is still learning all about life and could do without being isolated for 3 weeks. I too have cages, but I don't like caging dogs for no reason, my dogs are all together all the time, part of the family, never isolated or shut away. So Mick, like you I am still thinking, guess we both have some of that to do !
Dawn.

Hi sam
I dont have a problem with common sense husbandry. However if there is a safe contraceptive it would make life easier.

Hi dawn
Like you I dont cage my dogs unless I have no alternative. I only shut Maggies cage atnight to stop them from having a riot and wakening the whole house. Putting the dog or bitch in kennels is not an option. Not even for holidays. Also my two have bonded realy close and dont settle when parted. I am presently working on this by taking each out for short periods on their own.

Regards Mick

Hello Mick
Nice to hear from you .
wondered where you were .
I would not bother with the contraceptives mick there is only a few days you need to watch Maggie. To my mind the risk of those pills or injections are far more worrying .
Crate Maggie when she is fertile and then to give her a break crate the the boy. it is a short term discomfort for them both, then perhaps lasting side effects.
Just my thoughts on the matter Mick .
Best of luck in whatever you decide
Mari :D