While it is still a good idea to neuter dogs that are older, the best time to neuter your puppy is prior to its first heat cycle. In most dogs, this happens when the puppy is between five and six months old. Planning to have your puppy neutered when they are between four and six months old is a good general estimate. A good way to remember this timeframe is that, in most cases, a puppy’s first round of shots normally wraps up at this age. So, once your puppy’s first series of shots are completed, it will be time to have him neutered.

There are many benefits to having your dog altered during this time. By preventing its first cycle, you will help prevent certain diseases and behavior problems in your dog. While having your dog neutered at any point in his life will help reduce the incidence of certain cancers, such as prostate cancer, doing so prior to their first heat cycle provides the maximum benefit. The treatments for prostate cancer are expensive and can be very painful for your pet. Even with the best treatment, this disease often proves fatal.

In addition to reduced risk of cancer, having your puppy neutered also lowers his risk of other prostate issues such as infections and swollen glands. Overall, most vets agree that dogs that have been neutered tend to live longer and are healthier.

There is another benefit to having your dog neutered when he is a puppy. Just as young children tend to bounce back more quickly after a surgery than adults, so do young dogs have an easier time with recovery than do older dogs. Many young dogs are itching to get back to playing in the yard the same day as their surgery! This, by the way, is not recommended as your pet will need a day or two of rest in order to heal properly.

In addition to the health benefits, there are other reasons that you should have your dog neutered. Dogs that are neutered also tend to be less aggressive. There is a lower chance that your neutered dog will fight with other dogs or try to bite people. Having a less aggressive dog is exceptionally important if your pet spends time with other dogs or with small children.

There are a couple of very good reasons to opt NOT to neuter your puppy. The first of these reasons is that you plan to make your puppy a show dog. Show dogs must be intact, so if you plan to take your dog to shows, you will not be able to have it fixed. The only other good reason to avoid altering your dog is if you plan to breed it. Before making the decision to breed, pet owners should again consider the millions of unwanted pets that are killed each year at shelters. For every dog that a breeder sells, there is one less dog that will be adopted from a shelter.

Neutered dogs are also less likely to want to roam the neighborhood looking for a mate. Keeping your animal close to home is safer for them, and there is far less chance than he will be lost or stolen.

Some pet owners opt not to have their dog fixed even in light of the list of reasons why it is good to do so. Some of the reasons for that is that the pet owner has heard some myths about having a dog altered.

Myths About Neutering a Puppy

• My Dog is a Purebred – Even pet owners with no intention to breed think that they should not neuter their dog if it is a purebred. First, many of the unwanted dogs euthanized each year are purebreds. Also, the health benefits that go along with having your dog fixed are just as important to a purebred dog as they are to a mixed breed.
• It Will Change His Personality – If there are any changes to the way your dog behaves, it will be that he is less aggressive than he was prior to surgery. Most pet owners notice no difference whatsoever in the personality of their pet after surgery.
• He Will Gain Weight – Having a dog neutered does not cause weight gain, but the overall activity level of the dog may decline after surgery. This can be dealt with by taking your pet on an extra walk, or giving him extra play time in the yard.
• My Dog Will No Longer be Protective – The protective instinct of a dog is not related to whether or not the dog is altered. He will still be just as loyal to you and to his duties as protector as he was prior to surgery.
• The Surgery is Dangerous – While no surgery is entirely without risks, having your dog neutered is one of the most common procedures that vets perform. During surgery, the vet will closely monitor your dog, much the way a surgeon would if you were having an operation. Just keep in mind that the benefits of having your dog neutered far outweigh any potential risks.

Again, the ideal answer to the question “What age should you neuter a puppy?” is prior to their first heat cycle. But if you did not have your pet neutered by this time, or if you adopted an older animal that was not fixed, there are still health and behavior benefits that your dog will enjoy no matter what age they are when they are neutered. Have this surgery done as soon as possible. It’s for the health of your pet!

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Some dog owners feel that it may be unkind to have their dogs fixed. The truth is actually quite the opposite. There are so many benefits to having your dog spayed or neutered that, once educated, it’s an easy decision for most dog owners.

Unwanted Pets

A trip to the local humane society or any other animal shelter or rescue group will shed light on one of the most important reasons to spay or neuter. Two million dogs are euthanized each year because there are not enough homes for all of them. They often spend the last days of their lives in a small cage, void of the human love and companionship that they crave. Many of these unnecessary deaths could easily be avoided. By having your dog spayed or neutered, you are doing your part to help curb the ever growing population of unwanted pets.

Some people mistakenly think that because their dog is a purebred that it shouldn’t be fixed. The truth is that many of the dogs in shelters all across the country are purebred. The bottom line is that there are more dogs than homes. That includes purebred dogs.

Think of it this way: For every puppy that is born, that is one dog in a shelter that will not be placed in a home, and will therefore have to be euthanized. The only way to slow this problem is to have pets spayed or neutered.

Decreased Aggression, Less Roaming and Better Behavior

Dogs that are spayed or neutered are less aggressive than in tact dogs. They are less likely to fight, and they are less likely to bite. They also tend to stay closer to home.

Dogs that do not go into heat are far less likely to roam away from home in search of a partner. This greatly decreases the chances of your beloved pet becoming lost, injured or stolen. In addition to keeping your dog close to home, having a dog that is fixed will stop a crowd of male dogs from gathering at your fence, trying to get close to your female dog when she is in heat. Having strange dogs trying to enter your yard can be dangerous for both your pets and for members of your family.

Dogs that are fixed are also much better behaved than dogs which are not. Don’t you just love it when you have company over, and your dog decides that he is madly in love with your guest’s leg? Isn’t it great when you are having a dinner party, and your dog decides he is feeling romantic toward your dining room furniture? These embarrassing situations can be virtually eliminated by having your dogs fixed.

Health Benefits

Experts agree that dogs that are spayed or neutered enjoy health benefits that in tact dogs do not. Dogs that are fixed have a much lower chance of developing testicular, mammary or uterine cancer. These diseases can be very costly to treat and they can, regardless of treatment, often prove fatal.

Having female dogs fixed will also lower her chances of being afflicted with certain types of infections. The greatest reduction in infections is present in dogs that are fixed prior to their first heat cycle.

The Miracle of Birth

Some people choose not to spay or neuter their dogs because they want their children to be able to follow the pregnancy of their pet, and then be present at the birth. These pet owners have decided that the only way to teach their children about the birds and the bees is to bring unwanted animals into the world. They say “We want our children to be able to see the birthing process.” Those parents should ask themselves if they are also going to let their children watch as unwanted dogs are euthanized?

Instead, perhaps those parents could rent a video if they want their children to see a birth. Don’t teach children that it is acceptable to bring unwanted animals into the world.

Eliminates Heat Cycles

When your pet doesn’t have a heat cycle, you avoid blood stains on your carpet and furniture as well as the crying and aggression that come with the heat cycle.

Remember that it is ideal to have your dog fixed BEFORE they have their first heat cycle. Doing so provides the maximum health benefits for your dog. The first heat cycle normally occurs somewhere between six and twelve months of age.

Clearly, there are several compelling reasons to get your pet spayed or neutered. The procedure is usually done as an outpatient surgery with the pet being dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon. Some dogs are a bit less active for a day or two following surgery, but others want to jump right back into their normal routine of romping and playing. Even if your pet seems anxious to get back in the action, remember that vets recommend that activity be limited for at least a day or two after the surgery.

The procedure costs around $150-$200 when done at the vets, but there are also options for those on a limited budget. Most local chapters for the SPCA offer low cost spay and neuter clinics where the procedure is performed for between $40-$60. Some locations also offer programs for low income families. Where such programs are available, qualifying families may often do not have to pay anything for the procedure. If you can afford it, you may want to go to the vet, because the clinics do not normally offer pain pills to help keep your dog his most comfortable in the days following the surgery.

The reasons to get your dog fixed are for the benefit of both dog and owner. Don’t put off this simple procedure that can improve the lives of both you and your pet.

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Dogs, like rabbits or cats, use a nest box to raise a litter of offspring. The box simulates a cave, much like dogs used prior to domestication. The nest boxes, usually wooden, are designed to have three high sides, and one shorter side with a front door cut down enough to permit the dam to enter and exit, but still left high enough to keep the puppies inside. Often, a board or dowel is inserted horizontally two or three inches from each side of the box (known as a pig rail) to prevent the pups from being suffocated by the mother when she lies down. Inserted at a height of one to six inches, the pig rails allow a space for the pup to crawl into if the mom should lay on them.

The size of the whelping box is dependent on the size of the dog giving birth. The mother should have enough space to lie down on her side and comfortably stretch out to nurse. A box that is too large may allow the pups to crawl away from the group and get cold, or be unable to get back to their dam. A box that is too small may cause the dam to lie down or step on a pup, because there is not enough room to place her feet and to comfortably nurse. Different sizes of whelping boxes are available, and many manufacturers have recommendations for which size is appropriate for your specific breed.

The box itself should be constructed out of sturdy material, like wood or melamine (melamine is a type of laminated particle board). Because puppies are sensitive to drafts, solid sides are very important. Melamine is heavier than plywood, will not absorb odors, and is very easy to clean. Because plywood will absorb smells, and can give splinters, it is best to purchase plywood that has a smooth finish, and cover the area within the box with contact paper or linoleum to make cleaning much simpler. The box should also have feet approximately two inches high to hold the box off of the floor. This will allow warm air to flow underneath the box, keeping the litter warm and cozy.

A liner should be added inside the box for the newborn pups to ensure comfort; the bedding should be soft and washable, and replaced several times a day. Many breeders use shredded newspaper, towels, and sheets to line their whelping boxes. The liners must be changed constantly, so have plenty of liner ready for the pups’ arrival. At about three weeks of age, many people switch to a fleece type liner because it is very absorbent and machine washable.  Pine or cedar shavings can also be used, but are less comfortable than fleece, and create more waste.

Because the warmth of the puppies is so important, many new breeders will make the mistake of keeping the whelping box too hot. The dam should be in the box with the pups for long periods of time, especially when they are first born to allow almost constant nursing. Overheating the box will make mom very uncomfortable, and discourage her from spending the proper amount of time with her pups. If mom is panting or seems dehydrated, decrease the heat within the whelping box; the mother’s heat will provide enough warmth for the pups.

Having a litter of puppies is a lot of work for your dog, but even more work for you! A whelping box that is the proper size, easy to clean, and safe will make caring for the newborn pups much easier for you and your dog. The hard part will be saying goodbye to the pups once they are all grown up and ready for new families!

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Dogs that have been spayed or neutered are far less likely to bite. They show less aggression than animals that have not been altered. For this reason, they often make better companions.

Spaying a female dog eliminates its heat cycle. When a female is in heat, she will often attract male animals, act as if she is nervous and cry for hours at a time. Spaying will stop all of this.

Altered animals are also far less likely to wander away from home. By keeping them close to home, the risk of them contracting a disease or becoming lost is greatly reduced.

Additionally, altered pets cannot contribute to the overpopulation of dogs. More than 30,000,000 animals are euthanized each year, because there simply are not enough homes for all of them. Mixed breeds and purebreds alike are euthanized at shelters every day. Spaying or neutering your dog guarantees that he or she will not contribute to this problem.

With so many compelling reasons to have your dog spayed or neutered, the next question is when should the procedure be done?

Ideally, your dog should be altered before the first heat cycle. This normally occurs between five and six months of age. While each dog is different, a general estimate is that most dogs should be altered somewhere between four and six months of age.

By having the dog altered prior to its first heat, you will get the maximum benefits such as preventing diseases as well as avoiding certain behavior problems. Also, the surgery is performed more easily on a young pup, and the dogs tend to recover more quickly.

The reduction in the incidence of certain cancers, as mentioned earlier, is even greater when the dogs are spayed or neutered before their first heat cycle. This helps to give your dogs the best chance at living a long life.

Many people choose not to alter their pets in spite of the many good reasons to do so. Sometimes, that choice is based on some common myths involving spaying and neutering.

My Dog Will Get Fat

Spaying or neutering your dog is not going to, on its own, cause your dog to gain weight. While it may reduce the dogs overall activity level, that can be taken care of with an extra walk or a little more time spent romping in the yard. Whether the dog is altered or not, the formula for a healthy weight remains the same: burn more calories than you eat.

My Dog Will Act Differently

Any changes in personality are likely to be positive ones. Many pets become less aggressive towards other animals, are less likely to wander and will stop that endearing practice of spraying furniture to mark their territory.

it’s Better for My Dogs Health to Have at Least One Litter

There is no medical evidence to support this myth. Most research shows that animals spayed or neutered before the first heat cycle are healthier. If you are concerned about this, talk to your vet.

My Dog Will Not Be as Protective

Your dog’s natural instinct to protect his home and his ‘family’” is not changed when spayed or neutered. He will still be as interested in looking out for you as he has always been. He will be less aggressive towards other dogs, but will act much the same towards other people.

I’m Worried About My Pet Having Surgery

While there is no such thing as ‘minor surgery’”, this is one of the safest and most common surgeries that vets perform. The vet will monitor the vital signs of your pet, just as your doctor would do for you if you were having surgery. it’s normal to worry about the well-being of your pet, but the benefits of this surgery far outweigh the minimal risks.

I shouldn’t Spay or Neuter a Purebred

Unless you plan to become a professional breeder or make your dog a show dog, the fact that it’s a purebred is not a good reason to decide against altering. Animal shelters are full of purebreds as well as mixed breeds, and the health benefits for altered animals are the same for purebreds as for mixed breeds.

While having your dog spayed or neutered before the first heat cycle is ideal, if you adopt your animal after it has gone through its first heat cycle, spaying or neutering your animal will still reap most of the positive benefits and should be done as soon as possible.

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There are no practical blood or urine tests available to confirm pregnancy in the dog. The earliest possible time of diagnosis may be 26-35 days after breeding, when the doctor may be able to detect pregnancy by feeling the abdomen. Diagnosis by radiographs (x-rays) is usually possible after 45 days. During the first 5 weeks of pregnancy, there are few noticeable changes. After the 5th week, you may notice weight gain, especially with large litters. If only 1 or 2 puppies are present, the mother may gain little weight until shortly before birth. Abdominal enlargement is generally obvious in the last 3 weeks.

From the fifth week on the nipples and mammary gland increase their size and get darker, getting ready to receive the breast feeders. The dog may seem a little more quiet than normal, but apart from this nothing on its aspect indicates its pregnancy up to the sixth or seventh week, when its abdomen begins to progressively increase as the puppies get bigger in size. The dog will need to urinate more often than usual. In the eighth week, the dog’s breast, really big already, begin to secrete whitish and transparent liquid. If the tinge of this fluid is not strange, there is not reason to get alarmed. Two weeks before the programmed date for the delivery, the latest, you must already decide where the puppies are going to be born and have all the equipment ready. Even when the delivery doesn’t usually varies its date more than one or two days before or after, all the rules have exceptions and the puppies may arrive one week before they are expected, in the middle of the night or in the least thought place. Make sure you keep an eye on your dog when it comes closer to the delivery date, so she does not try to disappear on you and attempt to have the puppies on her own, especially if her pregnancy has been a difficult one.

During pregnancy, the female dog may show a change in behavior, especially in the last few weeks. As the uterus enlarges with the developing puppies, your pet may become restless, seek seclusion and in the last few days, soil the house. She may shred papers, blankets or bedding in an attempt at “nest building” in the last weeks. During the last 2 weeks, your pet may become irritable and should avoid contact with small children.

Good nutrition is essential for healthy puppies and mothers. During the first 4 weeks, nutritional needs change little, but feeding high-protein supplements, such as eggs, lean muscle meats or liver, is a good practice. During the last 5 weeks, you dog’s nutritional needs nearly double. Fresh water should always be available, since fluid needs are greatly increased. The doctor may recommend a special diet and/or vitamins.

The female dogs that were not mated during their heats frequently suffer from nervous or psychological pregnancies eight or nine weeks after the heat is over. The dog’s body gets ready for the delivery, even when it is not pregnant. Some time the female dogs dig in the earth, prepare their nests and even collect toys or other objects and defend them as if they were a real litter. Some of them even produce milk. False pregnancies are not harmful for the health and don’t usually last more than four days, but can make the dog suffer and repeat it each heat. Talk to the veterinary so he can tell you how you should treat your dog in such situation, he can give you advices about how to stop those episodes in the future.

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The first Labrador Retriever that we purchased was a male and we purchased him with full breeding rights. It was a big step and our male became a successful candidate as a stud dog for a service dog program. His puppies went on to work with autistic children. However, that was the extent of my breeding efforts and after purchasing a female Labrador Retriever and trying my hand at conformation, I realized that the life of dog breeding just wasn’t for me.

What many people don’t understand, and what I failed to see originally, is that breeding is a heavy responsibility. Sure, you can simply breed a dog to produce that one litter and there is always a reason why you should but for every reason to breed there are ten reasons not to breed. The main point about breeding “just one litter” is that most puppies from a “just one litter” end up in shelters or are euthanized. The puppies that are born usually have several health problems and many owners quickly realize that the work involved is just not worth it. This means that whole litters, along with their mothers are dropped off in front of shelters on a regular basis.

The first rule of becoming a breeder is to become a responsible dog breeder by helping control our pet populations and by ensuring that the population continues to be healthy. Improper breeding practices mean that dogs are born with more diseases and temperament and health problems so it is important to start off on the right foot.

Get to know your breed (er):

Before you begin breeding, it is important to understand the breed that you will be breeding. Know the qualities of a great dog and what the breed standard is. Also find out what problems the breed has a predisposition to and ways to avoid those problems.

Once you know your breed it is time to start networking. Go to dog shows and other dog events and start looking at the dogs that are there. Get to know the people handling the dogs and ask the questions that you have. Remember that the handlers are there to compete so they won’t want to answer questions when they are waiting at the side of the ring, instead wait until opportunities when they have or simply ask for their card so you can talk to them some other time.

At that point, you should find a breeder that will take you under his wing. This may take a bit of time but usually breeders are more than happy to help someone start out with breeding on the right foot.

Get those tests done:

As most dog owners know, purebred dogs often have a number of inherent diseases and conditions. These conditions are different depending on the breed and although some of the diseases cannot be controlled, a great number of them can be.

When you choose to be a dog breeder, it is important to use only the best breeding stock possible; using dogs that have diseases or inherent problems only means that the puppies will also have a greater risk of having the problems. When you purchase a puppy with the intentions of starting your breeding, make sure you take look for a quality breeder. If you have already established a long time relationship with the breeder already, he will be happy to help you in selecting a puppy and although many breeders have stipulations on breeding rights, if you are serious about breeding, then you will have no problem meeting those stipulations.

In regards to tests, there are some that are breed specific but most dog breeds should be have their eyes checked and certified yearly, hips and elbows certified, and yearly health exams at the very least.

Compete with those dogs:

I know that not everyone has the time to compete with your dog but breeding dogs that have obtained a title in one discipline or another simply reaffirms for both you, the breeder of your dog and the potential puppy owners that you are truly offering the best of the breed.

Understand the risk:

Many people often think of the end result when it comes to breeding; the cute little litter of puppies that they can love for 8 weeks before they ship them out to their new homes. Unfortunately, breeding is not as cut and dry as that. When my parents had their first litter of Pomeranian pups, the mother ended up with a serious illness a few days after delivery. We almost lost the dam and we got to enjoy a few weeks of hand feeding 3 puppies. Luckily her litter was small and everyone made it through but could you imagine having to hand feed a litter of 12 puppies.

Even if the female has such a severe problem after delivery, there can be thousands of other problems that will result in a hefty vet bill. Emergency c-sections are common for many dogs and whole litters can be lost throughout pregnancy and even shortly after delivery. One common complaint that I have heard from long time breeders is the number of puppies that they lose each litter. It is rare for all of the puppies to survive until they are weaned and ready for their new homes.

Lastly, not all puppies find a new home. A responsible breeder can be left with a puppy for up to 6 months or longer and some adults are returned to breeders if a home doesn’t work out.

Do it for the love of the breed:

The last point that I want to make about breeding is that it should be done for the love of the breed, not for any monetary gain. One breeder that I knew mentioned to me one time that she worked out the amount of work that went into raising a litter of puppies, combined that with all the overhead costs and figured out an hourly wage if she only worked a 40 hour week. The grand total for raising a litter of 8 puppies was .16 cents per hour.

As you can see, breeders are rarely compensated for the work that they do, well, except in the knowledge that they are bettering a breed and creating wonderful companions for many families.

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There is a short answer to this and a long answer to this. Generally speaking, a dog is pregnant in the vicinity of 62 days. Dogs who are blessed with smaller litters can outlive that deadline by about a week and dogs with a large litter may deliver their pups about a week short of that. This is because with larger litters the pups run out of room and signal the beginning of the birth process. Of course, smaller litters have the luxury of a few extra days of development before being thrust out into the chilly world.

A Dog is Pregnant for 62 Days

Since most people who experience an unplanned pregnancy with their dog are not completely aware that she is pregnant until after she starts showing signs, it can be difficult to determine exactly when those 62 days started. Those who are considering breeding and enter an intentional pregnancy will know exactly when the pregnancy began and are likely to have her delivery date on a calendar already.

How long is a dog pregnant often turns into how long has my dog been pregnant when the pregnancy wasn’t planned. For those with a regular escape artist on their hands, there may be more than just one night of bliss to be concerned about. Start by understanding when your pup went into heat. We call it “heat” but it really means, “preparing to ovulate.” A dog in heat has not necessarily ovulated yet, but she is getting ready to be able to accept a gift from Jo-Jo down the street. The common misconception is that a dog in heat is ready for copulation and ready to conceive. This is not entirely true, as there are stages.

During the first stage, which becomes obvious to human due to the vulva’s enlargement and the associating bleeding, your dog is not ready to copulate. This is a preparation stage, not an active stage. Unfortunately, many dog owners think that the end of the bleeding means the end of her fertile cycle. Most dogs are in stage one for about nine days, but it can last as long as eleven to fourteen, depending on your dog.

When the bleeding subsides and a new discharge is released, it should look like a straw colored mucous. Stage two with the straw colored mucous is the stage that allows your dog to copulate and conceive. Because this stage is often misinterpreted by many to be the final “end” of heat, many dog owners no longer restrict their dog’s movement and end up a little confused when their dog begins to show signs of being “with pup.”

During the second—fertile—stage, there is a wide window of variances that keep a dog receptive to conception. In other words, your dog may be able to get pregnant for about nine days, or for as long as twenty. Either time frame is considered normal. This can become frustrating for someone who is trying to prevent a dog that is getting spayed too late from getting out and getting pregnant. Many humans aren’t aware that their dog is still in a conception phase and may accidentally let her out into the world, only to look out their window to find her busy with Jo-Jo from down the street.

Most dogs require a trip to the vet to determine whether there are little Preciouses on the way. Somewhere around day 25 of the pregnancy, fetal heartbeats make themselves known. It’s an amazing experience to listen to the numerous little hearts drumming away inside your dog. For those who have ever experienced it, it’s the miracle of life over and over and over again, and it’s not something you’ll soon forget.

X-rays can determine the number of little ones you dog is carrying, but not until somewhere around day 45. In this case, you probably won’t need this information to determine whether or not she’s pregnant, just how many applicants for homes you’ll be accepting in the very near future.

Pregnant dogs, and especially first time humans, require veterinarian advice throughout pregnancy and the whelping process. Unfortunately, dogs tend to struggle sometimes, and experience, a few good books, and the advice of your vet will be just about everything you have to go on. If you’re highly unsettled about the experience, your vet may be able to recommend various options.

When you’re the one waiting for your dog to give birth, whether it was an intentional coupling or an accidental foray, there is a lot of excitement regarding the impending birth of puppies. In your reality, how long is a dog pregnant? By the time you finally reach day 62, the only answer you’ll have it “too long.”

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According to the American College of Theriogenologists (reproductive veterinarians), there are many good reasons for keeping an animal intact. Many of them have to do with the hormones estrogen and testosterone. These hormones are needed to help cats and dogs achieve their full growth. When pets are spayed at a very young age — before their growth plates close (around two years old for most dogs) — animals are much more likely to develop many kinds of cancer and other health problems.

Early spay/neuter increases the risk of hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, transitional cell carcinoma, and prostatic adenocarcinoma. Spayed and neutered pets are more likely to become obese probably due to a reduced metabolic rate related to the loss of sexual hormones. Urinary incontinence increases for spayed bitches, though this is less likely if the bitch is spayed after she has her first season. Intact bitches have a reduced incidence of urinary tract infections. Intact animals may have a reduced incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism. Diabetes mellitis occurs less frequently in intact dogs and bitches. There is a reduced incidence of cranial cruciate ruptures in intact dogs and bitches. And, there may be a lower incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs and bitches who are spayed and neutered after they are five months old (or after a first season for bitches).

In short, sexual hormones are very important to dogs and they play an important role in all aspects of a dog’s development. If you spay or neuter your dog at a young age you are removing these hormones and you may be putting your dog at increased risk for some serious health problems later in life.

There are some benefits associated with spaying and neutering, however.

Spayed and neutered dogs have an increased incidence of mammary, testicular and ovarian tumors, as you might imagine, since these tumors are affected by the hormones.

There is an increased risk of pyrometra in intact female dogs. If the uterus is removed during spay surgery, this risk is virtually eliminated.

There is an increased risk of prostatitis and other prostate problems in intact male dogs.

Neutering your male dog decreases the risk of perineal and inguinal hernia and perineal adenoma.

None of this is written to discourage anyone from spaying or neutering their dog. However, it is written to inform pet owners that spaying and neutering your pet should not be considered a “slam dunk” decision. In many places today people routinely get their puppies spayed or neutered at 8-12 weeks of age without considering that they are depriving the puppies of hormones that they need for their overall development.

Many shelters, rescues and even veterinarians do encourage puppies to be spayed and neutered at a young age. Even some breeders encourage early spay/neuter procedures. It is very easy and inexpensive to spay and neuter a puppy at this age. However, it is not necessarily in the best interest of your dog from a health stand point.

If you intend to do any kind of canine sports with your dog you will probably want to wait longer to spay or neuter your pet. Studies have shown that dogs spayed at a very young age typically have longer limbs and lighter bone structure. They can be more prone to injury.

The Canine Health Foundation also reported that behavioral problems are more common among spayed and neutered dogs and bitches who are altered before five months of age. Spayed bitches showed more fearful behavior and neutered dogs showed more aggression, according to this study.

Spaying or neutering your dog is often the responsible thing to do. There was a time in this country in the 1960s when more than 20 million unwanted animals a year were being euthanized. Today that number has been reduced to approximately 3-4 million annually through education and spay/neuter programs. If you do not intend to breed your dog then spaying or neutering your pet can make it easier for you to manage your dog without worrying about unwanted puppies. However, you should never make major health decisions for your dog based solely on convenience. Spay/neuter surgery is a major health decision and it does have lifelong consequences for your dog’s health.

Before deciding to spay or neuter your dog you should also take into consideration your dog’s breed and other health information. Some dogs are already predisposed to certain kinds of cancer, for instance, or have a high incidence of hip dysplasia in the breed. You could be asking for trouble if you spay or neuter your dog at a young age given these considerations.

Again, for most pet owners spaying and neutering their pet after five months of age (or after a bitch’s first season) is a good idea if you are not interested in breeding. However, please do your homework. Make sure that you have considered the health ramifications to your dog.

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It may seem a bit strange but it is very important to ask that question. According to many dictionaries, a breeder is simply a person that breeds animals or, in this case, dogs. Anyone can be a breeder and they don’t need to have any specific skills. All they really need is a female dog that can produce puppies.

Although many people are concerned more about the dog, having an excellent breeder is as important as the type of breed that you are going to purchase. Remember, a breeder will be with your puppy for about 8 weeks, sometimes even longer and your puppy has the greatest benefit if they are with an excellent breeder.

So what should you look for in a breeder? Well, before you start looking for a puppy, look for a breed. Once you have the breed, it is time to do a little leg work. First, you will need to find a breeder in the area. This means contacting breed clubs and asking around. Once you have a list of names, start contacting people. Take the time to converse with them over the phone or through emails. If you don’t click with the breeder when you are talking or they don’t seem overly friendly or helpful, then pass the breeder by. If you find that they are only interested in the money you will be putting out, then you know this is not a breeder for you.

What you want in your breeder is someone that is more than happy to talk with you whether this is over the phone or through email. The breeder will also be more than happy to answer any questions and she or he will have questions for you to answer. A great breeder will want to know that the puppy is going to a good home.

After you have talked to the breeder a bit, it is time to have a visit. This is very important and you should never plan a visit where you will be bringing a puppy home the same day. When you get to the breeders home, you will need to pay attention to how he or she interacts with the animals in her care. Are the dogs in the home or kennelled most of the time? Do the dogs look well cared for? Are the kennels and property clean? If you answered no to the last two questions, then you should find a new breeder.

When you are there, you should be able to see the female whose litter you will be purchasing your puppy from. Some breeders use a male from other breeders but he should have a photo of the dog and all the paperwork for health clearances for you to look at; however, it is a must to see the female.

If everything looks great, ask a few questions of the breeder. Ask to see proof that the dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations, and that all the health clearances have been done. If there is any hesitation in providing you with this proof, then the breeder may not be a reputable one. Also discuss the health concerns that your breed may have and make sure that the parents of your puppy are certified to be free from those health problems.

It is very important to look at how your puppy is being bred and reared. If the breeder uses dogs that are less than 18 months of age, then you should not purchase a puppy from him. The same goes if the female is over 7 years of age. Also, a breeder that produces more than four litters a year should be avoided and one that breeds more than two different dog breeds should be avoided as well.

Lastly, if your breeder is a reputable breeder, then you should be able to expect a few things. For one, most reputable breeders have a “puppy package” that helps with the transition between the kennel and the puppy’s new home. The breeder should also have a policy where puppies do not leave the kennel until they are 7 weeks of age and they should be dewormed and vaccinated before they do. Also, there shouldn’t be a fluctuation between prices for registered and unregistered puppies.

In the end, it is your gut instinct when it comes to choosing a breeder. It is important to go with someone that you are comfortable with but knowing that all the proper tests are given and the breeder cares about the well-being of his puppies will ensure that you and your puppy have the best start together.

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