One of the first questions my vet asked me when he saw Lexi was: When would you like to bring her in and have her spayed? When he found out that I was planning on holding off, he asked if I planned to breed her
“Not necessarily,” I said.
My breeder suggested holding off on spaying, and I’m reading more studies that indicate that doing it may be wise.
Gundogs: To Neuter or Not to Neuter?
Gundogs: To Neuter or Not to Neuter?
Tom Davis just published a piece called Gundogs: To Neuter or Not to Neuter? in the 8/20/14 issue of Sporting Classic Daily. It does a good job of laying out both sides of the story. If you have a young dog, I suggest checking it out.
Here a few more resources to look at, too:
Long-Term Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay / Neuter in Dogs
Basis for Position on Mandatory Spay-Neuter in the Canine and Feline
According to a mounting body of evidence, the practice of neutering at an early age may increase a dog’s risk for developing a laundry list of serious health problems. In particular, neutering prior to the attainment of sexual maturity has been linked to a higher incidence of hip dysplasia, canine cruciate ligament (CCL) injury, hypothyroidism, geriatric cognitive impairment, and certain cancers, including lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. – See more at: http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/issue/august-2014/article/gundogs-to-neuter-or-not-to-neuter#sthash.TrwIjTZR.dpuf
According to a mounting body of evidence, the practice of neutering at an early age may increase a dog’s risk for developing a laundry list of serious health problems. In particular, neutering prior to the attainment of sexual maturity has been linked to a higher incidence of hip dysplasia, canine cruciate ligament (CCL) injury, hypothyroidism, geriatric cognitive impairment, and certain cancers, including lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. – See more at: http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/issue/august-2014/article/gundogs-to-neuter-or-not-to-neuter#sthash.TrwIjTZR.dpuf
According to a mounting body of evidence, the practice of neutering at an early age may increase a dog’s risk for developing a laundry list of serious health problems. In particular, neutering prior to the attainment of sexual maturity has been linked to a higher incidence of hip dysplasia, canine cruciate ligament (CCL) injury, hypothyroidism, geriatric cognitive impairment, and certain cancers, including lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. – See more at: http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/issue/august-2014/article/gundogs-to-neuter-or-not-to-neuter#sthash.TrwIjTZR.dpuf
According to a mounting body of evidence, the practice of neutering at an early age may increase a dog’s risk for developing a laundry list of serious health problems. In particular, neutering prior to the attainment of sexual maturity has been linked to a higher incidence of hip dysplasia, canine cruciate ligament (CCL) injury, hypothyroidism, geriatric cognitive impairment, and certain cancers, including lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. – See more at: http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/issue/august-2014/article/gundogs-to-neuter-or-not-to-neuter#sthash.TrwIjTZR.dpuf
According to a mounting body of evidence, the practice of neutering at an early age may increase a dog’s risk for developing a laundry list of serious health problems. In particular, neutering prior to the attainment of sexual maturity has been linked to a higher incidence of hip dysplasia, canine cruciate ligament (CCL) injury, hypothyroidism, geriatric cognitive impairment, and certain cancers, including lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. – See more at: http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/issue/august-2014/article/gundogs-to-neuter-or-not-to-neuter#sthash.TrwIjTZR.dpuf
According to a mounting body of evidence, the practice of neutering at an early age may increase a dog’s risk for developing a laundry list of serious health problems. In particular, neutering prior to the attainment of sexual maturity has been linked to a higher incidence of hip dysplasia, canine cruciate ligament (CCL) injury, hypothyroidism, geriatric cognitive impairment, and certain cancers, including lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. – See more at: http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/issue/august-2014/article/gundogs-to-neuter-or-not-to-neuter#sthash.TrwIjTZR.dpuf
According to a mounting body of evidence, the practice of neutering at an early age may increase a dog’s risk for developing a laundry list of serious health problems. In particular, neutering prior to the attainment of sexual maturity has been linked to a higher incidence of hip dysplasia, canine cruciate ligament (CCL) injury, hypothyroidism, geriatric cognitive impairment, and certain cancers, including lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. – See more at: http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/issue/august-2014/article/gundogs-to-neuter-or-not-to-neuter#sthash.TrwIjTZR.dpuf
I had never spayed a dog before this one and I would never do it again. I have read that tubal ligation might be a better solution. My dog (a vizsla) and my third one, is incontinent. I don’t think she has the hunting desire of my other two vizslas. I love her but that was a mistake. She’s a great dog. Don’t make the same mistake. Good luck
My pointer Puck was incontinent her last few years. She was spayed, too, but it was done when she was around 2 years old.
Thanks
Gregg