Here's an article you might find interesting. I know there are different opinions on the subject. But here is one shared by many vets I've come in contact with over the years.

http://hometown.aol.com/debradownsth/myhomepagerespbrd.html

Carrie

Carrie,

I do not doubt that this article expresses the opinion of the overwhelming majority of vets in the U.S. with regard to spaying.  I am sure it would be difficult to find one who would disagree. 

With all due respect, please keep in mind that the U.S. view is not necessarily the world view.  Spaying and neutering has been heavily promoted in the U.S. because of the tremendous overpopulation of unwanted dogs and cats.  It is not the same everywhere. It's a very serious problem that demands some rather extreme measures at times, such as spaying and neutering very young puppies.

Spaying after - not before - the first season is the majority opinion of vets in the U.K. and Europe.  Majority does not mean all, but it does mean most vets would say to wait to spay.   Most vets in the U.K, and I assume on the continent, presume that their clients are responsible adults capable of keeping their bitch confined through at least one season.  They do not try to browbeat their clients - even just the pet owners -  in spaying and neutering either - which is fairly common practice in the U.S.    And I presume they believe that allowing a dog develop to maturity, as nature intended, is better in terms of general health and well being than lopping of bits or spaying to prevent the possibility of some disease happening in the future.

I've owned show dogs and companion dogs in the U.S. for over twenty years - spent zillions of $ at various vets - spent thousands of hours "talking dog stuff" with active breeders in various breed clubs ... and when I moved to the UK eight years ago, and especially a year ago December when I bought a bitch puppy, I was very surprised at the difference in attitudes.   I not arguing which is right and which is wrong, I am sure there are merits to each approach.  And a responsible owner does spay or neuter if they cannot prevent unwanted litters any other way, regardless of the timing.  On that I am in absolute agreement.

"Unless at least half of EACH of the last 4 generations, including YOUR DOGS, are champions or titled, their pedigree isn't something you should consider breeding from"   Although I agreed with the advice in the article about breeding, this really made me smile.  It's another difference between US an UK - it's a heck of a lot easier to finish a champion in the U.S.   Reason is that in the UK dogs compete against finished champions, not just for best of breed, but in order to win points toward their Championship.

Stacey