“Should I spay/neuter my dog?”
That is a decision only you can make as you know your lifestyle best. I recommend doing your research on the risks and benefits of spaying and neutering and making a decision with your vet based on your current situation.
Below is a link to a video where Dr. Becker provides her medical opinion on the topic. If you don’t have time to watch the 25 minute video, here are links to a few articles that weigh the pros and cons of each approach.
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/7_9/features/Spaying-and-Neuturing_15649-1.html
http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/spay_neuter_risks_benefits.aspx
“If I decide to spay/neuter, when do you think I should do it?”
If you are responsible enough to absolutely guarantee your unsterilized dog will NOT have the opportunity to mate, I would encourage you to wait until your dog is past puberty to spay or neuter.
Note: Some breeders believe that if you want your male dog to have a more masculine head (a blocky head), you should not neuter him until after he is 18-24 months old. I am not aware of any studies on the effects of delayed neutering and male head shape, but this is something to keep in mind if you want your male dog’s head to develop to its full potential.
“How do you manage your dogs?”
Obviously the dogs in our breeding programs are intact (not spayed or neutered). It takes a tremendous amount of commitment and responsibility to ensure that intact dogs are not accidentally bred. When our females are in heat, they do not go to dog parks, doggy daycare, the groomers, etc. They are not left unattended in the backyard. They are not allowed anywhere near an intact male – unless they are both on leashes, kept far away from one another and their rears are protected by bloomers. We take these precautions a week before and a week after their heat cycle in case they are having a silent heat we are unaware of. That means about a month of careful control over that dog. It is not difficult; it simply takes commitment and responsibility.
Here are the products we use:
* Bloomers – If you leave your female dog intact, she will have her first heat cycle some time after six months of age and every six months thereafter. Aggie came into heat for the first time at 8 months old. Some individuals have asked me what bloomers they can buy to keep the bitch from spotting around the house. Below are some of the items I have used.
* Four Paws Wee Wee Diaper Garment – they aren’t the cutest bloomers, but they work! We buy the extra large size. The velcro makes them adjustable until the girls grow into them.
* Custom Bloomers – we have also ordered custom bloomers from www.dogbloomers.blogspot.com. Below is a photo of Aggie wearing her custom bloomers after giving birth to a litter of puppies.
* Etsy – Etsy also has vendors that sell custom bloomers. Search for the shop owner, Cody’s Haven, or use the search term “dog diaper”. www.etsy.com
* Stayfree Overnight Maxi without Wings – inserting a maxi pad keeps the bloomers clean longer between washings.
