From the health viewpoint, it as been suggested that Spaying a bitch can cause incontinence, or NOT spaying can cause mammary tumours.

How many of you have found either/or to be true?

SPAYED Bitches: Has your dog developed urinary problems or even a thicker coat etc?....

Are you pleased you made that decision?

NON SPAYED Bitches: Has your dog suffered from mammary tumours?

Is an UN-SPAYED bitch reasonably easy or very difficult to manage?

Grateful for your experiences. I am trying to decide on the best course in the future for my bitch puppy.

Linda.

My experience is mostly with un spayed bitches, almost all Westies. I have never had one with mammary cancer, but I believe some breeds are much more prone to cancer than others, and Westies are not affected greatly I dont think. I dont find the seasons a problem, just put old sheets on the chairs and maybe for the worst two or 3 days are confined to the kitchen or kennel. Some bitches are very clean and tidy about it, there's no knowing in advance really. In many years of keeping several bitches I have only experienced one case of pyometra, and because I know the symptoms and have an exellent vet cover, it doesn't worry me too much. I know I would get her to the vet in time.

I have had bitches spayed in the past, when they have been r-homed and they all recovered well, all were over 6 years old. But they did all put on weight and their lovely hard coats reverted to fluff very quickly. One now has varying degrees of incontinence which is almost certainly as result of the op.

I'm not a fan of routine spaying, and think that a responsible owner will prevent any accidents, somehow!! It depends on your circumstances, if there are male dogs in the house already I guess it is the best thing to do. Please consider though not having it done untill she is fully mature, say after her second or third season, NOT her first if at all possible. There is some evidence to suggest that mental maturity may be halted or affected by spaying. The hormone balance that is disprupted by spaying serves other purposes than re-production.

Also of course any operation carries a small risk of death, which is very minimal but possible. I've also heard of lots of spayed bitches living long and healthy lives!

It's a really difficult decision to make, weighing up all the pros and cons, and I sympathise as I will have to make this decision at some stage too.:)

I have a bitch of 10, unspayed has produced puppies. (Years ago, I hasten to add!) She has a good coat, very athletic,slight 'leak' on odd occasions, but I would liken that to us Ladies who have had a couple of pregnancies!!)apart from that, she is fine, still has 6mthly seasons,very easy to handle. A 6yr old,she is fine, good coat and nature. A 5yr old, the same! All unspayed. At present-fingers crossed!-no tumours etc.
Would I spay? Well, not the old girl. The other 2-the jury's still out on that one!

we keep springer spaniel bitches and have done for years.we do breed them from time to time but not to excess,at most 2 litters in a life time.we have never had any of our dogs spayed and so far(touch wood) havn't had any problems.i agree that responsible owners dont have unwanted pregnancies we never have