spaying of working dogs - Page 2

@ Jenni...it is so basic.  It is best to never let book learning overtake our common sense. 

Understanding anatomy and physiology of the body....be it human, canine, equine, feline, etc.......is the foundation of keeping ourselves and our animals healthy.  By understanding the purpose and function of the systems, we empower ourselves and have the information to make the best decisions in the health care of ourselves and our animals.

There was a vet and his wife training @ a SchH group.  The wife asked me when I was going to have my young male "fixed".  I responded, he wasn't broke and didn't need fixing.  She was apalled!  I asked her when she was having her husband fixed, for if it was so necessary, why not do it to humans.  She never broached the subject with me again! 

Most of the femle K9s that work in Patrol work or SAR are spayed.  I haven't seen it affect the drives or willingness to work, or the sharpness of the dog.  The issue with her not being spayed is the heat cycle.  If she is going to be used in SAR, or in a k9 unit where they typically work their k9's together it is pretty hard to get an intact male to concentrate on anything with a bitch in heat right next to him.  Depending on the bitch some get "emotional" when in heat and won't work consistently.  Could just be the ones I have experience with but typically the females get spayed. 

I'm sure many males get distracted (more than humans?) and many females get emotional (more than humans?). However, for mine, I choose to tell my males to "leave it," exercise some common sense, and my females just act normal and always have. Capri was koered in heat (I feel for the other handlers of the males, lol). I think often it's just an excuse for poor control when someone says a dog "won't" or "can't" do something because they're in heat. A lot has to do with genetic temperament as well. Still...I will not alter my animals for the convenience of myself or others around me. Performance aspects aside...there are just too many health risks.

No doubt having 2 GSD's in heat at the same time is a challenge, and I'm sure it will get worse as they grow. However with proper guidance and control, I don't see an issue. I agree with Jen, It's about the GSD, not me. I'll put up with a little hell to keep these pups as is! Wouldn't change a thing.    Pete