Spaying

[Fenbo 0]

Whats your views on spaying working gun dogs? reason is i have a 12 month old Lab bitch (Bella) whom i've been training since she was 5 months old the training has gone well, she retrieves pigeon and crow from the hide no problem, this will be her first season wildfowling i cant wait. Problem is the Mrs wants me to have the dog spayed, i am against the idea because i believe it would ruine the dog for work making her put on weight,developing saggy teats etc; am i right? The dogs just finished her first season an the Mrs is putting the preasure on,doing me head in.

 

Your views are appreciated

Cheers Fenbo

[Millet 4,497]

I don't know about gun dog's but lurcher's and terrier's wont put weight on if you manage there diet correctly..and as for saggy tit's it is the exact opposite..once spayed the nipple's will stay small aswell as it's paster shell..

Some spay before the first season and some say after so the pup has had chance to release any horemone's to make it mature..it's upto you at the end of the day but it will not effect the working life of a dog what so ever..

[barraboy 28]

fed right exercised well no reason why any of that should happen, my mates bitch developed a slight heart murmur at 13mths so was spayed [accidental litters could have done for her] she a nice fit bitch but he watches her. however its a pretty major op so i wouldn't unless i had too.

[mally 832]

I had my lab spayed when she was 5 years old and it's not made any difference to her work whatsoever. I've kept an eye on her weight and she's as fit as ever.

[Millet 4,497]

. however its a pretty major op so i wouldn't unless i had too.

As far as i'm aware it a simple opperation and not a major one..i have had two bitches spayed over the year's..one had produced a litter of pup's the other had not..both where spayed easily with no problem's at all..

[mally 832]

. however its a pretty major op so i wouldn't unless i had too.

As far as i'm aware it a simple opperation and not a major one..i have had two bitches spayed over the year's..one had produced a litter of pup's the other had not..both where spayed easily with no problem's at all..

 

My lab was back to herself within a fortnight. As you say not a major op just routine

[barraboy 28]

. however its a pretty major op so i wouldn't unless i had too.

As far as i'm aware it a simple opperation and not a major one..i have had two bitches spayed over the year's..one had produced a litter of pup's the other had not..both where spayed easily with no problem's at all..

 

My lab was back to herself within a fortnight. As you say not a major op just routine

 

ive always viewed any op where the dogs anesthetised as risky but maybe i'm over cautious. your both probably right and again im being over cautious.

[Millet 4,497]

There's nothing wrong with being cautious mate..i get a bit anxious when any of the running dog's have to be knocked out as they alway's seem to take a lot longer to recover from an anesthetic than other breed's..

[Dave C 63]

I think most of the fat bitches you see that have been spayed are pet dogs.

Like whats been said if you manage there diet and excercise right you shouldnt have a problem.

 

Some say bitches loose there drive after spaying, but its the weight gain that makes them loose there drive.

I have seen plenty lurcher spayed bitches that have awsome drive, before and after spaying.

 

ATB

Dave.

[mally 832]

I think most of the fat bitches you see that have been spayed are pet dogs.

Like whats been said if you manage there diet and excercise right you shouldnt have a problem.

 

Some say bitches loose there drive after spaying, but its the weight gain that makes them loose there drive.

I have seen plenty lurcher spayed bitches that have awsome drive, before and after spaying.

 

ATB

Dave.

 

Fern my lab gets approx 30% less food than she had before she was spayed. I have noticed no difference in her work what so ever she's still as keen as mustard and still runs in if she gets a bloody chance!!

 

[Fenbo 0]

Cheers lads for your feedback,after your comments, i think i will go for the spaying option may be i've been miss led as i;ve always worked dogs this is my first bitch see how it goes,the Mrs will be pleased if nowt else