heat

[Tanya32]

Sorry. I've been a regular on a horse forum for along time and see how things deteriorate.

I am completely responsible and we are only considering a litter. I would not breed her before she is ready and do not want to have a mix breed litter.

My cocker was 7 when we had her spayed and she never was bred.

My brother has Australian Shepherd's, not a mix I'm looking for but don't want to leave her with anyone since I can not trust that an accident won't happen without a truely watchful eye.

[Traci]

Asking about when a dog goes into heat, how long it lasts, and asking if an intact female being around an intact male incites a heat cycle, does not, to me, indicate responsibility. When I hear things like that, I prefer people leave the breeding up to a licensed, responsible breeder. You didn't say for what reason you want to "allow" her one litter. Is it for money? Do you plan on keeping her pups or selling them? Can you afford her vet care, and the vet care and comittment for up to 12 pups or more? Do you intend to raise the pups, get them health care, tested, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, etc? All of this is a huge undertaking, and a great deal of expense.

For what reason(s) did you allow your previous dog to not be spayed and never bred for 7 years? She was never bred, so what was the purpose of not having her spayed?

Do you understand the risks, complications and consequences of allowing a dog never intended for breeding purposes, to be at risk for? They are all listed Here. The page is noted for cats, but the very same applies to dogs. As slvrwhispr noted, we have the pet's ultimate health as our concern, and when owners don't state why they are breeding, or state for frivolous purposes (which are also noted in the link above), then yes, they will be educated. For every dog and pup irresponsibly bred, sold or not properly cared for, another dies in an animal shelter or at the hands of another irresponsible owner and the endless cycle of irresponsible breeding and pet overpopulation continues. You indicate you just want to allow her one litter, so you're not breeding. If her health and safety comes first to you, then forget allowing that one litter and get her spayed. She can be spayed NOW.

[Amandasmom]

Do you realize that your dog can die from complications of having a litter? Its not something you take lightly. Complications can cost you thousands of dollars. Are you prepared for that? If your dog does die, you could end up hand raising all the puppies, that's round the clock feedings, are you ready for that? Letting a dog have just one litter can quickly snow ball into major complications. If you really love your dog, think long and hard about this. I love all my dogs and they are all neutered. With so many unwanted dogs in the world, I just couldn't do this.

[Tanya32]

Well there you go another forum where people pass judgement. I don't know why I didn't learn my lesson from the horse forum I used to frequently visit.

I have more than enough money to look after my dog in whatever fashion is required. I do not take pet ownership lightly. I have three cats, 2 horses and two dogs. My other dog is a mutt and is spayed. She also had a major injury from a stick (that a friend threw and wound up cutting inside her throat)... when she was 1.5 years old, that vet bill was over $1000 for the surgery. She is now 10 years old. My cats are all spayed and are all rescues. My one horse is a PMU rescue.

I am not going to explain to anyone on here my reasons for having a litter. I thought I could get some advise.

As for my old dog, ask my parents why she wasn't spayed. I had no say in the matter... Needless to say she was a show dog and maybe they thought about breeding her as well.

I will no longer be monitoring this post.

[Traci]

I think you'll find on any (reputable) pet site, regarding cats and dogs and spay/neuter, you'll get the same. It's called education, and it's certainly not new. When the OP never bothers to explain why they want to allow a litter, then what more do you expect? That's why we educate, so inexperienced owners can avoid the numerous problems and so that the pet, whom is our highest priority, is safe, protected, and hopefully has a long, healthy life without the complications of a litter, health problems (or fatalities) associated, etc.

When you work in the trenches, you see this every single day. It gets old. It gets tiring. It gets frustrating. Irresponsible owners. Irresponsible breeders. Puppy mills. Abuse, neglect, harm. Pet overpopulation while millions suffer and millions await a horrible fate in animal shelters. Unless you're a responsible breeder, there is virtually NO reason (other than a health condition that would be contraindicated for surgery) why you should not spay/neuter before the first heat for any pet.

But, I digress, you're not the first to come along and get defensive because you didn't like the advice or education given you, which is free I might add, and you could have run it all by your vet for the same advice, although you might not get that for free. I suppose I'm rather blunt when it comes to such issues, but that's my perogative, as well as my obligation to educate and hopefully prevent all the risks as mentioned.

[slvrwhispr]

Here's the thing... we don't know you. And we don't know if you're an educated owner or not. We don't know if you're a responsible owner or not. We don't know anything about you at all. So when we ask questions or give advice, we're just trying to cover all of the bases. It would be irresponsible of us to do otherwise. I told you our position and advised you not to take it personally, and you seemed okay with that, so why take it personally now?

[Amandasmom]

When you work in the trenches, you see this every single day. It gets old. It gets tiring. It gets frustrating. Irresponsible owners. Irresponsible breeders. Puppy mills. Abuse, neglect, harm. Pet overpopulation while millions suffer and millions await a horrible fate in animal shelters.

I like that Traci, it’s so true. All my dogs are rescues. Having rescued 2 bernese mountain dogs, I see first hand what an irresponsible breeder can do to this wonderful breed. If by educating just one person, that makes it all worth it.