Is it really best to let a dog have a litter?

[I love Tiggy]

Hi

I know this question has been debated many time but having only just found this forum i have to ask..... Can a SBT turn if it doesn't have a litter?

My little girl is an 18month old staffie and is cherished in the house, her previous owners gave her to me as they said she was 'too much bother.

The previous owners have since stated that i should breed my dog as the pup's would fetch hundreds, i don't care about the money - my girl's safety is paramount to me. She let one of her pups get mated when it had just had the second season, resulting in two dead pups and a Cesearan and hysterectomy.
I'd never want this to happen to my girl and never wanted to breed her anyway - but her previous owners have said that the SBT can tun nasty is they do not have a litter.

I have been told conflicting information by the vets that i have spoken to - one said Yes - she should have a litter, the other said it makes no difference but get her spayed between the second and third season.

So, should i have her spayed which i would prefer as i cannot care for her and the pups after birth as i work F/T. And when is the best time for spaying.

[leelapops]

Hiya I love Tiggy. Your girl sounds lovely, give her a tickle from me.

I can't say I have EVER heard of any dog "turning" if it hasn't had a litter-sounds like a ludicrous old wives' tale to me. I don't have a girl, but I have seen lots of advice regarding speying on here: it is usually recommended that a bitch shouldn't be done until after her first season (usuaklly 6 monthsish, no?) Her previous owners, with all due respect, sound a bit suspect. Do you know them? If not why are they still involved? It is sad to hear a vet promoting what seems to be a myth, as most say there is no need for a bitch to have a litter. Why bring more dogs into the world unneccesarily when already rescue centres worldwide are overrun? And especially with Staffs.

You already know, I am sure, how responsible you are by wanting to get her speyed :) I would really recommend it.

In terms of breeding, a link posted often on here, which is VERY informative, is: http://www.dogstuff.info/to_breed_or_not.html

Terrifying! lol. I am sure others here know far more than me. x

[I love Tiggy]

Thanks Leelapops for your reply. Her previous owners do not work hence the mney making scheme i guess.

Think i will have her spayed, myslef and my other half are more or less 100% on the decision. She's such beautiful dog and i'd hate for her to suffer.

Her previous owners are both undecided on whats what. the guy says have her spayed as he'd not want another dog to suffer, his wife seems to think she's an expert on the matter, which she isn't having only had about 6 pup's 3 of which were sold on.

[jedimistress]

I also think it is an old wive's tale. Some people talk of a wash out litter. Where they let the dogs have a litter, drown all the pups, then let them have a "better" litter. People can talk a lot of **** at times. I certainly would not take advice on the old owner as they sound like most the other dog breeders looking to supplement their giro.

I'd say go for the speying. I've never had a problem with my dog and she was speyed as soon as possible.

I am glad to hear the dog has found a responsible owner.

[leelapops]

I second jedimistress. I cn't believe people would think that a good thing to do. And intelligence is supposed to have increased in the last 100 years, with the advances of technology etc!

As that article outlines, breeding a dog is so expensive, I am sure you make far less than you spend, and not only is it financially a strain, but emotionally too, you could lose your much-loved pet. While there are so many wonderful dogs in rescue, I just can't condone breeding for the sake of it (which of course, you aren't doing, Tiggy :) ) It certainly isn't a "quick buck", like people think.

Think the previous lady owner is talking out of her a**e and isn't the expert she claims to be-Maybe she should have 6 babies by Caesarean all at once, and then lose 2. *Sigh* People amaze me. In a bad way!

[lankeela]

There is no possible need to let a bitch have a litter. I would have pointed out the problems you could encounter, such as cesaerians or having to have the bitch spayed in an emergency, and possibly even losing puppies and bitch, but as you already have evidence that this can happen and would not want this to happen to your baby then I think you will do the sensible thing and have her spayed.

As for money making, if you do it right, i.e. have all the relevant health and DNA tests done on your bitch, (Staffies can suffer from two inherited diseases that can be tested for) use a good stud dog (not cheap), feed the bitch well during pregnancy, rear the puppies properly, pay the registration fees, pay any vet bills and any advertising costs, then there is not much in the way of profit from a litter. Thats apart from the time you would have to spend if you wanted the puppies to be well socialised and ready to go to their new homes. It is a very big commitment, and only those who are in it for a quick profit would do it without taking all the necessary precautions.

Please let us know what you decide and keep us updated as your bitch sounds wonderful, and we'd like to know how she is getting on.

By the way, the best time for spaying is about three months after her season. If you are not sure when that is, and she comes into season, please take special care that she does not get anywhere near a dog in that time, as your little darling will turn into the 'street hussy' in her attempt to find a mate!

[I love Tiggy]

Well, we've decided to have her spayed and have booked her in for next week, feel a little upset about her having to have an op. She'll be fine though - it is the best thing i could do for my girl anyway.

Thanks all!!

[kita1]

Agree with all the other answers.

Just a thought, I am sure the tax man and the DSS would be interested to hear about their income from the pups they sold (I am sure they did not declare it!!), it would also ensure the safety of their bitch and stop any further needless puppies being born!

Actually I believe that spaying stops aggression in that it stops your dog having hormonal changes to her temperament (false pregnancies etc), some bitches get quite aggressive (especially around other dogs) at the time before/during and after their season.

Also you will have to restrict her excercise when she is having a season (unless you wish to be followed down the road by a pack of dogs) and this can cause frustration and therefore aggression.

Good luck with your girl.

[cruella]

Hi.
We have a Westie and had her done over a month ago. The Vet actually felt it would be better for her as it tends to prevent tumours in female dogs in later life.
The old myth about allowing a bitch to have a litter of puppies has now turned the other way.
Like you, I would never put my dog through anything that may hurt her, life having puppies.
Misty was a little unwell for about three days and had to be walked on the lead for over a week but she is great now. I even think she is more settled than before her op.
Good Luck. I am sure your baby will be fine.

[amonty1144]

I have kept dogs for years and have bred for a number of years. I applaud your decision to have your bitch speyed, I would echo that a lot of the former owner's information is rubbish. I've lived with speyed bitches and they haven't turned or in any way been troubled by the operation.
Breeding is a real pain and unless you are not offering first class care to the bitch and puppies, it is not a guaranteed money making scheme. In my opinion it is also impossible if you work full time.
It's also difficult to find good homes, i rejected a couple of people as they didn't have the right attitude and I didn't want my pups going into rescue kennels, later in life.
Hope you get on wel

[jules77]

I echo everyone elses comments about whether or not you should have a litter or have her speyed - as I dont believe in breeding for the sake of it. It just confirms what I have been saying for a long time that SBT owners in particular are breeding for monetary purposes only.

You dont have to have a dog speyed though just because you dont want to breed off her, although it is often the best course of action. You will have to decrease her food intake as her metabolism will decrease after speying. (probably opened up a can of worms here, as no doubt others will have a different opinion on that one!!!)

[I love Tiggy]

I welcome any advice and after care tips for my girl as we have deicided to have her spayed.

I was intending to write a list of questions for the vet particularly on her diet after the op, she hasn't got a massive apetitie anyway really, though i'll make sure she's very pampered afterwards!

[Pippa68]

I have heard the same thing said about cats.

A load of old tosh ~ much better to have her spayed :o)

[lankeela]

Don't decrease her food after spaying unless she starts to put on a lot of weight. Some bitches don't get any fatter but some do, mainly because it makes them more laid back and chilled, just increase her exercise a fraction and the both of you will keep fit! (Or send your other half out with her).

Try joining a training class - Staffs love working and especially agility. I'm sure you'd all love it.

As for the op, some bitches don't even realise they've been 'done' and are back to normal in a day or two. Just a bit of extra tlc and although she may be a bit groggy from the anaesthetic as she is fit and healthy now she will sail through it I am sure. Well done you.

[garner]

Oh, thank goodness for a responsible owner.You have done the right thing for your girl and for yourself in the long run.Good for you,give your girl a big fuss and plenty of tlc and she will be fine.Good luck to you all.

[jules77]

Pippa, not a load of old 'tosh' as you call it, cats are different to dogs with regard to weight gain after speying, and I know not all bitches gain weight, but a lot do. I agree there are more pros to having a dog speyed, which I am sure you are well aware of. But there are cons, bitches can have urinary incontinence in later life, and in long coated breeds it can change the coat texture and appearance and some end up looking like woolly sheep. Sorry Tiggy, you go for it, I wouldnt hesitate to have my bitch speyed in your circumstances.

[Kleiber]

I agree too - best to have her spayed. I've got a German Shepherd bitch who's 8yrs old now & had her "done " when she was young. She's had no problems, eats normally & hasn't put on weight & is very loyal & affectionate. On the subject of cats, I took in a stray 2yrs ago, who wasn't spayed & had been abandoned by her previous owners 'cos she was pregnant! (how stupid can some people be??) She had 8 kittens & I homed 6, on the promise that their new owners would have them neutered (which they've all done) and we kept two. Mum has now been spayed, as has her daughter and her son's been neutered too. They're all lovely cats & don't stray either. I live in a rural community and folk here don't have their pets neutered 'cos they think it's "unfair" on them!! What's more unfair than letting a female become a breeding machine and puppies & kittens dying because no homes can be found for them?
ps the dog & the cats adore each other!