Dog thread!🐾

[ShrekDawg]

Hmm. I neutered my male Golden before 6 months old, he lived a long healthy life to the age of 15. I had my female Sheltie spayed before her first heat and she lived a healthy life until age 13 when I had to have her put down due to arthritis. I believe those are pretty much average ages for those breeds. I don't think they would have lived much longer if they had been intact, although Gracie may have lasted a little longer if we lived in a ranch style home rather than one with steep stairs.

I think it probably depends on the dog. And while most will probably be fine, some won’t and I feel like they need the hormones to grow just like we do. I think there’s also a lot more research out now where there wasn’t before. Not every vet is necessarily up to date though. Mine recommended no later than 6 months because he’s a pit bull (mix but still). Not really sure why. But I didn’t. I waited until after 2 years.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I guess whatever people decide to do, they shouldn't be made to feel wrong for it. When I was a young newlywed I had a lovely Collie and intended to have her spayed as soon as I could afford it. She went into heat earlier than we anticipated. We were VERY careful about not letting her out unattended. Sigh. Ten puppies later ....

 

[ShrekDawg]

I guess whatever people decide to do, they shouldn't be made to feel wrong for it. When I was a young newlywed I had a lovely Collie and intended to have her spayed as soon as I could afford it. She went into heat earlier than we anticipated. We were VERY careful about not letting her out unattended. Sigh. Ten puppies later ....

Yeah, it’s definitely up to the individual and I don’t think anyone should feel bad about it! And oh wow! 10!?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yup. Years later when I TRIED to breed another Collie, the first pup got stuck, I had to pay for a C-section and we only got 3 puppies out alive. Clearly, I am not meant to breed dogs, lol.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yup. Years later when I TRIED to breed another Collie, the first pup got stuck, I had to pay for a C-section and we only got 3 puppies out alive. Clearly, I am not meant to breed dogs, lol.

Aww that’s sad! I’m sorry

 

[fuzzi]

Hmm. I neutered my male Golden before 6 months old, he lived a long healthy life to the age of 15. I had my female Sheltie spayed before her first heat and she lived a healthy life until age 13 when I had to have her put down due to arthritis. I believe those are pretty much average ages for those breeds. I don't think they would have lived much longer if they had been intact, although Gracie may have lasted a little longer if we lived in a ranch style home rather than one with steep stairs.

I'm on my fourth dog, all have been females. Our current pup was a senior rescue who came to us already spayed, but the other three were all spayed at 6 months or earlier. They lived to 15 1/2 years, 15 1/2 years, and 9 years old. The third died young due to stroking out from steroid treatments for hip dysplasia.

Of all the cats I've owned there was only one I didn't spay, and she had breast cancer by 7. Most of the others lived long lives: 13, 17, 19.

So my experience is that spaying by 6 months worked well, and NOT spaying resulted in an early death.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

All I know is, I wasn't qualified and/or didn't have the facilities to keep intact animals from breeding. Spay/neuter made much more sense to me.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

All I know is, I wasn't qualified and/or didn't have the facilities to keep intact animals from breeding. Spay/neuter made much more sense to me.

That's my likelihood too. I could probably get away with intact males and fixed females, but I doubt I'll have only one sex and I really don't think I'll be able to successfully keep everyone seperated constantly for heats

 

[fluffycrow]

I'm on my fourth dog, all have been females. Our current pup was a senior rescue who came to us already spayed, but the other three were all spayed at 6 months or earlier. They lived to 15 1/2 years, 15 1/2 years, and 9 years old. The third died young due to stroking out from steroid treatments for hip dysplasia.

Of all the cats I've owned there was only one I didn't spay, and she had breast cancer by 7. Most of the others lived long lives: 13, 17, 19.

So my experience is that spaying by 6 months worked well, and NOT spaying resulted in an early death.

With cats it's a different thing. There is no research as of now to suggest that an early spay impacts them in any way

 

[SpotTheCat]

So... if I understand correctly, which it's very possible that I messed something up:

Males, it's safest to be intact (minus risk of puppies), safer to have a vasectomy and then monitor every two years for tumors, and somewhat safe to neuter after a certain age

Females, its safest to leave intact (minus risk of puppies), somewhat safer to do a hysterectomy if you must and monitor them, and then a little safe to spay after 2?

For joint health best to wait until fully grown (2+years depending on breed)

didn’t really look at the males information

it doesn’t say what the risks of pyometra is compared to the risks of cancer

Hmm. I neutered my male Golden before 6 months old, he lived a long healthy life to the age of 15. I had my female Sheltie spayed before her first heat and she lived a healthy life until age 13 when I had to have her put down due to arthritis. I believe those are pretty much average ages for those breeds. I don't think they would have lived much longer if they had been intact, although Gracie may have lasted a little longer if we lived in a ranch style home rather than one with steep stairs.

Glad they lived a long life! It is all about chances and weighing up pros and cons

I'm on my fourth dog, all have been females. Our current pup was a senior rescue who came to us already spayed, but the other three were all spayed at 6 months or earlier. They lived to 15 1/2 years, 15 1/2 years, and 9 years old. The third died young due to stroking out from steroid treatments for hip dysplasia.

Of all the cats I've owned there was only one I didn't spay, and she had breast cancer by 7. Most of the others lived long lives: 13, 17, 19.

So my experience is that spaying by 6 months worked well, and NOT spaying resulted in an early death.

No offence meant to anybody. I prefer with things like when to spay and neuter looking at research rather then personal experience since the research includes a lot more dogs then personal experience generally can

spaying/neutering can increase risks, there is still a fairly high chance nothing happens

That's my likelihood too. I could probably get away with intact males and fixed females, but I doubt I'll have only one sex and I really don't think I'll be able to successfully keep everyone seperated constantly for heats

I am probably only going to have females so I don’t need to worry about separating males and females!


My personal opinion is dog shouldn’t be spayed/neutered under 2 years old unless for medical reasons. like with a lot of animal things people need to do their own research and make there own decisions about whats best in their situation