??? about spaying a 5 month old female pup - Page 1

Will spaying a 5 month old female with high drive change if spayed?  We don't want to lose her dirve but have no intention in breeding and don't want to deal with her going into heat.  I have seen drive diminish in fixed males, is it the same for females?  Your comments are greatly appreciated.

do not spay before puberty!

Early spay/neuter causes dogs to grow taller than they normally would, and puts them at increased risk of joint injuries if they are going to be sport dogs. Spaying too young can cause incontinence in the female.

I've heard experienced breeders say that when they had puppy reunions, the dogs neutered before six months were easy to spot because they were so much taller than their non-neutered littermates.

From personal experience, I had always thought those people who said a female required a heat to be fully mature were spouting old wives' tales. Then, I saw the TREMENDOUS change that took place in my female following her first heat, and I realized THEY WERE RIGHT!  Her appetite abruptly dropped. She became calmer and less liable to destroy stuff if I left her unsupervised at home. Her appearance changed too. I can't exactly describe how, but it was quite noticeable in the months following her first heat.

I was hoping to breed her, but having seen the change, would not hesitate to allow even a non-breed quality female go through at least one heat before spaying.

Here are two excellent article on the risks of early spay/neuter:

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

I agree, they grow up mentally after a heet cycle or two, I would wait.......

What's the hurry?

Thanks for the replys.  I guess I should wait.  Like I said she is turning out really nice and we just don't want to deal with the heat cycles.  What advise can you give about keeping her separated when she is in heat?  At what age do they usually have their first heat cycle?  What are the signs?

9to 10 mths my dogs start to come in heat

alternate crating inbetween males and females during heet cycles.......

my bitch prefers to stay in her crate for long periods of time when in heet.......she looks for a dark place to sleep.

heet cycles last up to a month......so be aware of what's happening.....

do not take her for walks without a doggie diaper - her pee and drippings will attract dogs from miles away. instead just keep an eye on her when she is outside......

its manageable......

There must be a physical barrier between her and all males at all times. The male may show mild interest even before there is any noticeable bleeding. When the discharge turns straw coloured, or becomes less bloody, she's going into her fertile period where she will accept the male. This is usually about day 11 or 12, but there is a lot if individual variation.  The first heat may not be a full blown heat. My male never got interested enough to mount my bitch during her first heat (he's neutered, BTW.) During her next heat, they actually managed a tie and I had to keep them separated from then on!

Heats usually last about 21 days, and occur every 6 months.

Both males and females can be very inventive about getting through barriers when the bitch is fertile. I've heard of litters conceived through chain link fences. Also heard of a male who got out of his crate, and destroyed two doors to get to the bitch. My female's mom managed to get out of her kennel and climb an 8 ft. fence!!

So, you must really be vigilant until her fertile period is over. I know one breeder who had a litter conceived on day 18. Unusual, but it CAN happen!

One of my pet peeves is spaying a gsd because you are not gonna keep it from getting bred...why in the world do people buy a female puppy and do not know how to care for it...sorry  but this infuriates.me....I have had female bitches for 39 plus years and never spayed not one...no reason to.....spaying is against nature.....HOW ABOUT YOU GO DOWN AND REMOVE ONE OF YOUR EARS  AND ONE OF YOUR EYES   AND TELL HE HOW YOU FEEL AND HOW YOU GET ALONG IN LIFE...

WHY PUT A KNIFE TO A FEMALE ORGAN THAT GOD PUT IN THE BODY TO MANIPULATE THE HORMONES AND THE RUNNING OF THE FEMALE BODY..

YOU ASK FOR INFO    THIS IS MY OPINION....I CANNOT TELL YOU THE HUNDREDS OF DOGS I HAVE SEEN SPAYED THAT ENDED UP   FAT , LAZY AND HAD MEGA HEALTH PROBLEMS WHEN TWO YEARS  OLD AND UP BECAUSE OF SPAYING...SORRY BUT WHEN YOU START ALTERING THE WAY THE BODY IS MADE FOR NO EARTHLY HEALTH REASON , LIKE CANCER.........I DO NOT AGREE WITH IT.........CONVENIENCE    ....GET A REAL LIFE ...WHY BUY A DOG IF YOU  ARE NOT READY FOR FULL RESPONSIBILITY......TIME AND TROUBLE   ....I HAVE HEARD IT TWO MILLION TIMES...

DO not buy a dog if you are not on board for the full load of what it means to   completely care for it. and that means  its complete health.....and a vet tells you   oh it will be ok   that is a myth........bull corn...vets make money on the millions of sick dogs....healthy dogs dont go to a vet. but for rabies shots and tests for breeding.

Educate yourself  as to how to keep your female in seclusion during heat times...if you cannot do it   get rid of the female.
Buy a statue of a german shepherd...they don't require time and effort and money and worry and love and proper health measures.
The world believes   IF it feels right do it...sorry ,,but that concept ends up in disaster and has many bad consequences..