THe KC seems to clain this is okay and I rang and asked them about it and they say if they are informed you get a letter and then can show the dogs.  THis seems very sensible if what you want to do is, as well as to  show off your dogs, you want to learn more about the breed, and how to show and so on... but firmly know you do not want to breed.  It seems great to encourage this and set a good example to limit breeding and just enjoy dogs as they are.

But how genuine is this...?  Show folk I know are all into breeding and seem to link the two activities together. I have a feeling that st show an altered dog or bitch would be a waste of time as they may be are judged against  etc....

So can I ask what is the real feeling and attitude about this.

Depends what you mean by "altered".  If you mean neutering, you won't have a problem showing a neutered bitch, as there is nothing to see, whereas a dog is a different matter and you will definately be penalised as a dog should have 2 descended testicles.

Sarah.

Shows how much I have to learn!  :D ;)

so it's okay to show an altered  bitch but not an altered dog!  oh so sexist.

Can you not tell a bitch is altered...? Surely a judge could tell... there must be some difference... certainly in some breeds there will be....like develiping a mad hair-do.

It's just I rang the KC for advice on this and they were all for it being fine for neutering both male and female show dogs.

It's permissible to show a spayed bitch or a castrated dog - but the dog is unlikely to do terribly well because it has a visible fault according to the standard.

It used to be the rule that neutered animals (dogs or bitches) could only be shown if they'd had at least one litter of registered progeny, but that rule was dispensed with many years ago. Now whether or not the dog or bitch has previous progeny you simply inform the KC and they send you a letter confirming that they're aware and the animal can be shown.

Although these animals can't be bred from themselves, they are still an advertisement for their bloodlines, so their presence inthe ring is perfectly valid. Castrated dogs tend not to do very well, as the presence of testicles is mentioned as a requirement in all the standards, but there is no such referral to ovaries or a uterus in a bitch, so a lack of them can't possibly be classed as a fault! :) One particular spayed bitch did extremely well some time back.

Although these animals can't be bred from themselves, they are still an advertisement for their bloodlines, so their presence inthe ring is perfectly valid.
....that's what I thought. We know no way do we want to breed...so neutering/spaying dogs for people like us will be good  and we can't spate too much right now to show... but we did take the pups with the intention to show and  we do actually have dogs the breeders can feel proud of.  I just get the feeling this is a not a widely held opinion.   But it could be okay anyway with a bitch.

So for general advice... it would be advisable to keep a boy intact and more possibly to show a spayed bitch. But with a bitch are there ways to tell if they are spayed..? Less maturity . I know wiyth mine they can get more coat... which could be good or bad depending.    Like a boy gets leggy etc....  And would you need to make this public or just tell the judge or just show the KC permission slip if asked?

I think it would be good for this to be very widely accepted especially for the new and  inexperienced because there is not the temptation to breed before you have adequate knowledge and experience about breeding and the breed.

>But with a bitch are there ways to tell if they are spayed..?

That's irrelevant. As long as you have the KC letter of permission to show (which it's worth taking along to show if asked, but there's no requirement to broadcast it) then you can show her.

Of course, even if she was entire there's no requirement to breed from her. I know a champion dog who'll never be used at stud because his owners simply don't want to get into all that. They're happy just showing. :)

I know with males they are shown in the catalogues as (NEUT) so possibly a bitch would be listed the same. I have seen neutered dogs placed above entire ones, so I can't see why your bitch would be penalised, depending of course on whether spaying your bitch makes any difference to her coat type and quality, which it does in some breeds. :-)

The catalogue entry will only show what the owner puts on the entry form. The KC 'permission to show' letters I have make no mention of having to put 'NEUT' on the entry form, so it seems it's up to the owner whether they want that in the catalogue or not. :)

Thanks so much. All your replies  at least make one aspect of showing clearer! 

So you can weight up your descision to put NEUT down or not... if you get sick of people asking if you are going to breed or something like that then you could decide just to put NEUT down on your entry. But otherwise you can just relax and just enjoy showing and don't make a big thing of it. The people I've met who make this such a big deal are maybe just a little old fashoned.

I also wondered... One older and very experienced show lady at my training club told me that can only be neutered for medical reasons.... not just because you wanted to neuter them. The KC never said that was the case so has anyone heard of that? s

One older and very experienced show lady at my training club told me that can only be neutered for medical reasons.... not just because you wanted to neuter them. The KC never said that was the case so has anyone heard of that? s

Hi Tenaj,

That USED to be the case but not now.  All you have to do is inform the KC that the animal has been neutered.

Debs

Thanks...I wondred if it had changed... she has been showing for years and so her ways are rather old school but she has fine dogs and  normally knows her stuff... 

Catalogues only show NEUT if the owner includes this in their entry.  The only place it is included regularly is in the KC Stud Book.

I have a neutered bitch which I show about 3 times a year, she was not spayed for medical reasons but so that I could compete in other disciplines without worrying about seasons.

Hi

I show a dog with just one testical, he has been placed above entire dogs on fair few occassions. I have a letter from the KC which I show the judge before i enter the ring.

I am sure that it can go against you, it all depends on the judge.

At the end of the day my boy only has one due to medical reasons. But we only show for fun now as it is a good day out for us both and my boy loves the ring and showing off!!!!

Regards

T

Im often tempted to show my one testicle boy at open shows but his is due to never having the other one so I think we would probably be marked down quite alot for that - if the judge notices ;)