Fixing vs. Not Fixing your dogs

[Isadora]

People let them get away with things they would never allow big dogs to do because they're cute.

Say it louder for the people in the back!

 

[LaFleche]

With regard to the so-called "ovary sparing" spay:

It does not really make sense to me, as the female gets in heat with all the annoying/dangerous consequences such as

1. Change of behaviour (anxiety, aggression, pseudopregnancy etc.)
2. Not beeing able to bring her to social activities (hunting in groups and other social activities including dogs, such as training for man trailing etc.).
3. Bleeding
4. Attraction of all kinds of males even from far away besieging your home, and the nuisance and possible danger they impose (injuries to female and owners, damage to house yard, fences, windows etc)
5. She can and will be bred by males as she herself will actively be on the lookout. She can get hurt in the process or catch some nasty infections, just like any other intact female.
6. And as her ovaries still produce normal ova that might meet some free floating sperms in her abdominal cavity, she might even get pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy that, depending on where exactly the fetus will attach, might even result life threatening.
7. She can still get ovarian and breast cancer just like an intact female.

 

[LaFleche]

Oh my gosh! Thats nuts! I'm considering keeping a dressage whip at my side when we walk Ember. I do not what to be fighting off any dogs empty handed. Crazy!

I can assure you, that the whip will not be of much help.

 

[NatJ]

With regard to the so-called "ovary sparing" spay:

It does not really make sense to me, as the female gets in heat with all the annoying/dangerous consequences such as

It looks to me like the ovary-sparing spay is a way to have the disadvantages of a surgery, and the disadvantages of an intact female, with the sole benefit of her not producing an actual litter of puppies.

So it's just a birth control method, with none of the other benefits of any of the options.

 

[Halfpasthen]

Dachshunds are a pretty good breed but I think a lot of issues stem from people treating them like toys, and not living animals. Like Chihuahuas and other tiny breeds.

People let them get away with things they would never allow big dogs to do because they're cute.

I used to teach group puppy obedience classes. People would be APPALLED when I explained that their small breed dogs had to be on the ground instead of in their laps just like the bigger dogs.

 

[Weeg]

With regard to the so-called "ovary sparing" spay:

It does not really make sense to me, as the female gets in heat with all the annoying/dangerous consequences such as

1. Change of behaviour (anxiety, aggression, pseudopregnancy etc.)
2. Not beeing able to bring her to social activities (hunting in groups and other social activities including dogs, such as training for man trailing etc.).
3. Bleeding
4. Attraction of all kinds of males even from far away besieging your home, and the nuisance and possible danger they impose (injuries to female and owners, damage to house yard, fences, windows etc)
5. She can and will be bred by males as she herself will actively be on the lookout. She can get hurt in the process or catch some nasty infections, just like any other intact female.
6. And as her ovaries still produce normal ova that might meet some free floating sperms in her abdominal cavity, she might even get pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy that, depending on where exactly the fetus will attach, might even result life threatening.
7. She can still get ovarian and breast cancer just like an intact female.

I think the plus side is that she still gets hormones that are vital to the immune system. Instead of instant menopause, she still has a natural supply of hormones. In the article I posted on the first thread they talk about it. It is a .com, but they link a lot of study's showing where they got their info.

 

[LaFleche]

I think the plus side is that she still gets hormones that are vital to the immune system. Instead of instant menopause, she still has a natural supply of hormones. In the article I posted on the first thread they talk about it. It is a .com, but they link a lot of study's showing where they got their info.

There is a lot of plus to leaving the female intact, of course! And the hormonal influence on almost every bodily function is undisputed.

The question is:

Is the owner not only willing, but actually capable to spend several weeks/months twice a year to ensuring that their female dog will not be molested or mated, or family members taking her for a walk will not get endangered, as already weeks before the actual period of possible conception the female starts to set scent marks wherever she goes to attract possible mates. And even after the actual period of conception is over, she will still spread the attractive scent for weeks.

Is the owner willing and actually capable to submit their daily routine and life schedule to their female dog's hormonal cycle/estrus for some 12-14 years? Think holidays, vacations, family meetings, hobbies, moving, a new job possibilities etc.

And of course, it also depends on where you live and what kind of neighbours you have.

City dogs will usually not roam in larger packs attacking people and mating to their hearts content like often happens in more rural regions or on the outskirts of a city.

Edit: I forgot to mention that their scent marks will attract not only male dogs, but other canines as well, such as coyotes, wolves etc.

 

[Weeg]

There is a lot of plus to leaving the female intact, of course! And the hormonal influence on almost every bodily function is undisputed.

The question is:

Is the owner not only willing, but actually capable to spend several weeks/months twice a year to ensuring that their female dog will not be molested or mated, or family members taking her for a walk will not get endangered, as already weeks before the actual period of possible conception the female starts to set scent marks wherever she goes to attract possible mates. And even after the actual period of conception is over, she will still spread the attractive scent for weeks.

Is the owner willing and actually capable to submit their daily routine and life schedule to their female dog's hormonal cycle/estrus for some 12-14 years? Think holidays, vacations, family meetings, hobbies, moving, a new job possibilities etc.

And of course, it also depends on where you live and what kind of neighbours you have.

City dogs will usually not roam in larger packs attacking people and mating to their hearts content like often happens in more rural regions or on the outskirts of a city.

Edit: I forgot to mention that their scent marks will attract not only male dogs, but other canines as well, such as coyotes, wolves etc.

VERY good post, and I 100% agree with you. An ovary sparing spay is not suitable for someone who isn't educated on the procedure.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Hey everyone, this is something I've done a lot of research on lately. We've had labs in the past and always got them fixed. This time, I decided to do some research on the topic. I found a very informative article against fixing your dogs. Its written on Dogs Naturally, and very large, informative, and trustworthy source for holistic/natural medical care for dogs. I use it for a lot of my dog questions. Point being, they talked about a lot of study's in the article showing that intact dogs are less likely to get hip dysplasia, joint disease, cancer, and behavioral issues. I've also found that this is a very controversial topic. Theres lots of article claiming the exact opposite. I'm interested to see everyones opinion. I personally am leaning towards not spaying my pup. I'll link the article I read below. I also never liked how invasive it is. Vets remove the uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, and ovaries. The entire reproductive system. Plus it immediately cuts off hormones, which play a big role in the immune system.
Anyway, this is just want I've read. Wondering what everyone else opinions are. If you don't spay your dog, please feel free to add what you do to prevent pregnancy. I know, and agree that dog over populations a major issue, but I also think that measures can be taken to prevent intact females from becoming pregnant, it just takes a responsible owner. I know this is a touchy topic and others may have strong opinions. Lets try to keep this discussion friendly and informative. Thanks everyone!
Article- https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/three-reasons-to-reconsider-spayneuter/

Following I am very interested

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

I do believe not fixing makes them lat longer. I have a 12 year old saint bernard and did not get her fixed till she was. Since if she got pregnant many things could go wrong with her old age I would if it was beneficial