Should I Spay or Neuter?
The decision to spay or neuter is a decision that needs to be made by every owner. There are many unwanted pets in the shelters, and personally, I made a conscious decision that I would not breed any type of dog that you can commonly find in a shelter.
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If you are trying to make the decision whether to spay or neuter for your own pet, keep in mind that the only reason to breed should be to better the breed. Anyone who thinks that they will make money breeding puppies - is way off. If you decide to breed, know that you will need to have a minimum of $2,500 set aside - just in case your female dog has complications during pregnancy, during whelping or if one (or more) of the pups is born with birth defects.
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Puppy's tend to be born at the most inconvenient time... many, many of my litters have started delivering after midnight. If you have a litter of 10+ pups, you will need to find appropriate homes for each pup - sometimes that means having extra mouths to feed, and teething to go thru for 10, 12 or 15 weeks (and trust me, 5 or 6 pups, and a couple of adult dogs can finish off a 40lb bag of food in no time). Know that you will be doing laundry every day, for a minimum of 6 weeks and that potty training 10+ pups at a time, is not easy. Know that you should be responsible for each & every pup that you bring into this world for each pups whole life.
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There are health advantages for your animal if you decide to spay/neuter your pup. Spayed dogs are less likely to develop breast cancer and will not be at risk for ovarian or uterine tumors. And, by spaying female dogs, you will eliminate them "going into heat". Heat cycles can last up to 21 days - can result in blood spotting, mood swings and visits from male dogs from all over your neighborhood. Neutered male dogs will not get testicular cancer and they will have a decreased chance of developing prostate enlargement. By neutering male dogs, you lessen their desire to roam, thus decreasing their risk for injury and transmission of infectious disease.
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When is the best time to spay/neuter your pet? This will depend upon your particular animal. Usually, most Vets will suggest between 12 - 24 months, but only your Veterinarian can give you the proper advice about your individual pup.