Spayed green dogs - Page 1

A friends asked me to join him to look for green dogs, and I said ok provided that he spays all the females. The females are between the ranges of 10 month to 18 months are are explosive trained.

Will these spayed dogs be able to work as well as there unspayed counter parts?

We provide green dual-purpose and explosive detection dogs to the DOD working dog program at Lackland AFB.  We do not alter any dogs sold to the program.  I would strongly caution altering any dog that may be used for dual-purpose work in the age group you mentioned in your post.  These dogs need the full effect of hormones that influence all working drives until full adulthood - 2 1/2 to 3 years of age.  The case may not be as strong for detection work alone or for females but I believe the influence is still significant enough not to alter working female pups (18 months to us is the end of puppyhood).  For us, the DOD can make the determination once the dog is trained in the field regarding the pros and cons of unaltered females.  When training green females there is some inconvienience obviously during their season but it is negligible.  Some of our most intense working dogs are bitches and we observe they tend to have greater endurance than many males.  If you are concerned that some of these females may be used for breeding when they are not appropriate breeding stock then that is a different issue and certainly an important one that should concern you.  I would just make sure you know there is legitimate placement for these working dogs and responsible handling of their working careers.  One note, my opinions regarding spaying the females is based on our kennels experience and research but there are others on this forum with a great deal more experience and expertise.  I am very interested in others views on this question. 

This topic had never been discussed before, does anybody have any comments

I don't sell adult dogs (import/etc) but I have done working dog rescue for over 10 years and have never had any PD not take the dog because the dog is altered but I actually don't have any PD's who I have worked with that would have taken a female. In my neck of the woods they simply don't jump to use females for Police Work. I know military does take females as well as customs but customs also takes mixed breed dogs from shelters so they certainly don't care if the dog is altered. I know ATF has taken altered dogs. I guess it depends on who you are looking to work with. I think the average PD if they take a female would want her spayed due to the cycles causing issues.

Tina

>  I worked a spayed female Patrol/Explosive in the military for seven years, K-9 Tasha (031C), 1984-1991.  She is credited with saving my life twice in the line of duty. She was an incredible explosive dog also.

>  She was as agressive and as motivated to hunt a man or explosives as any male I previously and have since worked!!

most PD#s don't care if they are females.  I sold only females to them thusfar.  Dutch Shepherds and GSD show lines. As long as they can work.  Only one of the GSDs was spayed, all others were intact.  

I think in CT I could cound on one hand the amount of females used by Police Departments and breeds other then GSD's are about as rare with Mals being the second most common. I have heard in the south they use more females. All depends on Dept policy. There are female Retrievers used as Detection Dogs around here, just not many female Patrol Dogs.

Again, depends on who you are looking to work with.

Tina