Maybe (Border Collie, intended for agility and herding
competition and not to be bred) is 5 months old and I'm
equivocating over the date of her spay operation.

Anti-spay before first heat from a vet:
http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

A counter to that article:
http://www.sheltermedicine.com/docum...20rebuttal.doc

Maybe's breeder sent the Zink article with the puppy papers,
but I lean towards spay before first heat.

Comments?

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

In article ,
Melanie L Chang wrote:
I'm getting a pup, and I'm not planning to spay her until she's at least
two. I find it hard to believe that hormones are not necessary to normal
development, and will not alter any future dogs (either male or female)
until they are physically mature.

What do you think of the recent(ish) research that says that
bitches that show aggressive behavior when intact will tend
to become more aggressive after spaying?
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

(Melanie L Chang) said in
rec.pets.dogs.activities:

I'm getting a pup, and I'm not planning to spay her until
she's at least two. I find it hard to believe that
hormones are not necessary to normal development, and will
not alter any future dogs (either male or female) until
they are physically mature.

I keep getting different opinions. One is that the hormonal
influence on growth and structure is much more a factor in males
than in females. And that a spay before first heat to reduce
potential cancer issues outweighs the potential structural
issues.

I'm conflicted.

Congrats on the new pup.

Thanks! Have you seen her pictures?

Do I need to ask what kind of a dog you're getting?

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

Rocky spoke these words of wisdom in
:

(Melanie L Chang) said in
rec.pets.dogs.activities:

I'm getting a pup, and I'm not planning to spay her until
she's at least two. I find it hard to believe that
hormones are not necessary to normal development, and will
not alter any future dogs (either male or female) until
they are physically mature.

I keep getting different opinions. One is that the hormonal
influence on growth and structure is much more a factor in males
than in females. And that a spay before first heat to reduce
potential cancer issues outweighs the potential structural
issues.

I'm conflicted.

Congrats on the new pup.

Thanks! Have you seen her pictures?

Do I need to ask what kind of a dog you're getting?


I don't see any issues with a dog growing larger if they are spayed early
(A good thing)

(Melanie L Chang) said in
rec.pets.dogs.activities:

: Thanks! Have you seen her pictures?

Nope. Is she a red bi girl?

Yes, the whole litter was red. This is an old page, her name is
Maybe:

http://www.rocky-dog.com/RedGirl/index.htm

: Do I need to ask what kind of a dog you're getting?

I'll give you a hint: she's black and white.

Since I don't recall you being a PWD person, I'll guess
something else.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

Rocky wrote:
(Melanie L Chang) said in
rec.pets.dogs.activities:


I'm getting a pup, and I'm not planning to spay her until
she's at least two. I find it hard to believe that
hormones are not necessary to normal development, and will
not alter any future dogs (either male or female) until
they are physically mature.


I keep getting different opinions. One is that the hormonal
influence on growth and structure is much more a factor in males
than in females. And that a spay before first heat to reduce
potential cancer issues outweighs the potential structural
issues.

I'm conflicted.

Matt, here's a really good retrospective study done by Laura Sanborn.
Well worth the read and obviously extensively researched (just look at
the cites).

It's on the NAIA website, but FWIW they did not sponsor her to do this,
I think they just really liked it and added it to their website. After
reading this, in addition to some other information, I have chosen to
never spay another bitch before 2 or 3, and to not neuter a male unless
and until it becomes mandatory.

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongT...uterInDogs.pdf

Robin Nuttall said in
rec.pets.dogs.activities:

Matt, here's a really good retrospective study done by
Laura Sanborn. Well worth the read and obviously
extensively researched (just look at the cites).

Thanks for the article, it was a good read. And the references
made up 25% of its length!

I'm going to pass it by Maybe's vet before I make up my mind.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.