As you see, opinions vary widely on this Talk to your vet, talk to your breeder, read what you can and make your own decision. I personally would wait a few more months.
Yep...opinions on this subject vary greatly. Personally, my girl was spayed after her first season. Some say wait until after they have had a season, others say do it before...
Eeek. Very varied opinions on this around here. Your best bet is to discuss it with your vet. I've never owned a female so I can't comment on that. I do believe on waiting till maturity for males. My own opinion of course.
I think what they are referring to is since you've had issues with keeping Brandi in the past, what if you decide to wait to spay her until after her first heat and then say in a month or two you have more issues and do indeed this time get rid of her. You would be giving away an unspayed dog. How can they be sure your issues with keeping Brandi are finally resolved? I think they are really only concerned about Brandi and the "what if he does decide to give her up" factor.
They did a study on large breed dogs and when spayed early they ended up being 1.2 inches taller on average. most of the growth was in the leg bones. There was also some changes in joint angles seen with the early spay. So having an early spay changes your dogs geometry for the worse and increases some possible knee and elbow problems. So idealy waiting till she is full grown (18 months?) would be best... However do you want to have to deal with a female dog tha twill come in heat one or two times before then? It will cost slightly more if you wait as they usually charge by the pound. If you get her spayed early I would wait till after 6 months at least. If you wait till 18 months you will have a big responsibility to make sure no males get to her when she comes in heat! 6ft chain link fences won't stop a male from getting to a female in heat so you would have to have her in house or a secure kennel and make sure she never is outside without supervision. Its a real pain in the A## to have to deal with a female in heat for 3 weeks.
Also...Brandi is NOT going anywhere, My wife had some early issues with raising a puppy AND 3 children, but she's since gotten very attached to her.
Brandi is turning out to be a well-mannered, beautiful addition to our family. She's responding to a steady diet of training, and I've made arrangements to begin obedience training with a professional.
Getting back to the spaying, I'll have a discussion with her vet.
Also...Brandi is NOT going anywhere, My wife had some early issues with raising a puppy AND 3 children, but she's since gotten very attached to her.
Brandi is turning out to be a well-mannered, beautiful addition to our family. She's responding to a steady diet of training, and I've made arrangements to begin obedience training with a professional.
Most of all, I am very happy that we kept her.
My blood pressure is down. Brandi has ME on a regular schedule :, and she keeps the kids away from the video games.
Most of all, I am very happy that we kept her.
My blood pressure is down. Brandi has ME on a regular schedule :, and she keeps the kids away from the video games.
I'm glad to read that things are going well for you and your family and Brandi! Enjoy the training with her. I got great advice from my obedience instructor when Scout went through her terrible teens rebellion. It was a short lived period, and the Scout we know and love soon returned.
I agree, talk to your vet.
edited to add - Yes, you're right. Their needs are often a good addition to our lifestyle as well. Scout keeps me active. And, I started out just wanting to train my dog to have good manners. We're preparing to trial for a CD title at the end of this month. After that, we're going on for her CDX title. So, training her turned into me getting a new hobby!
I decided to start obedience training with Brandi AFTER we developed a relationship. I feel that I now have her attention, and she knows that I'm the "pack leader". She knows what "NO" means, and she knows "good girl". To me that's half the battle.
Starting obedience now will actually help that relationship bond beyond your wildest imagination. You not only learn how to communicate to your dog, but what your dog is communicating to you. I start obedience at home from day one. By the time they are 6 months they have the basics. Sit,down,stay,heal,come. Maybe not to perfection but the know what I am asking of them.
On the spaying part. You could do it now, but I would wait another couple months.
Kim, so true. Training with your dog is the best way to bond.
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