Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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Spring is about 4-6 months old. I heard they need to come in heat once at least before being spayed. What is the age if we do not let her have at least one litter?
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roaddogs
Arkansas
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Joined: 08/04/2006
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The thing about needing one litter is an old wives tale and has no basis. Anyone who's ever went thru a heat will tell you it is not fun at all. I've always used the rule of thumb and had our kids "fixed" at 6 months.
2008 Carriage Cameo 35sb3
2008 Ford HD F350 6.4 diesel 4x4
"the Schnauzer Hauser"
One patient husband, One crazy wife
5 very spoiled schnauzers
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davosfam
SW Washington
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Joined: 07/25/2006
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Our puppy is 5 months old and has an appointment at the beginning of next month to be spayed. They do NOT need to have a heat cycle before being spayed.
Shannen (and hubby Rick)
2 sons, ages 15 and 19
2 dogs, "Duncan" (mini schnauzer) and "Libby" (lhasapoo)
1996 GMC Yukon
1986 Kit Road Ranger 234
1965 Chevrolet Bel Air
1948 Plymouth 2-door sedan
2005 Honda Foreman 500
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Dustytuu
Colorado USA
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Joined: 03/16/2004
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Ditto!!
Both of our dogs have been spayed before coming into heat. Our vet recommends they have it done before coming into heat. Dogs do not need to have a litter of puppies before being spayed.
* This post was
edited 06/17/08 06:27pm by Dustytuu *
2008 dodge 5500, diesel, bedsaver, pressure pro tire.
2008 Carri-Lite 36SBQ, 4 slides,dishwasher,washer/dryer,2 fireplaces
D & D
Two Schnauzers, & cat
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Criminals prefer unarmed victims!
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chrisnpat
Gurnee,Il
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Joined: 06/11/2004
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It absolutely breaks my heart every time I read on here "My dog didn't come home, My dog came home hurt". I really wonder what people are thinking,It doesn't matter where you live, you (us humans) are responsible for the well being of our pets.
Makes me really wonder why some people even bother!!!!
Christine
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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Chris I think because a lot of people keep dogs in the house today they do not realize that many think of dogs as a working animal that does get in harms way. Cattle dogs get kicked and stepped on until they learn survival of the most fit for example. Dogs like to run and play, chase squirrels, rabbits or about anything that moves. I do understand some people keep dogs in town in confined spaces that are not the best for the breed.
In my area you will see a lot of working dogs hanging out the side of a PU truck. It looks dangerous and is but somehow they seldom fall out. These dogs are typically "free range" animals so they can do their jobs of protecting and guarding the property and other animals more on the order of Lassie, etc of TV fame.
Times are changing and fewer people live out in the country without a close neighbor. When I grew up there were "inside" and "outside" dogs but that line is no longer clear. Pets do need to be cared for and kids need to learn the importance of that care. As things change so will the needs of our pets. We live longer when we have pets because we know when we wake up in the morning in need to go so do our pets locked from the great outdoors. They help us get started each morning.
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Code2High
Agoura, CA
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Joined: 12/21/2004
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Allowing a female pup to have one heat before spaying increases the risk of mammary tumors in later life substantially. Please get her fixed ASAP. The earlier the surgery is done, the less time she'll need to recover.
susan
What I want to know is, when are they going to start selling Comfort Zone for HUMANS????? 'Cause some days...
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chuckster11
Idaho
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Joined: 04/30/2004
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Actually, most dog breeds are either working dogs or derivatives of working dogs in some form or another. Allowing a dog "freedom" to be dogs is healthy for the dogs and healthy for the psyche of dog owners--we can take the "fur kids" thing too far sometimes.
Coyotes are certainly one risk that dog owners face in some areas--we have them here but they are still non-urbanized coyotes--unused to invading yards and areas close to humans. Where coyotes are a problem, you can bet that domestic animals and habitat destruction have taken the coyotes' natural food sources, leaving the coyote no other source of prey except pet animals.
Facts are that more domestic dogs are victims of other domestic dogs more often that coyotes, just ss children are victims of domesticated dogs much more than coyotes.
In all probability, the most dangerous thing any of us here do with our dogs is travel with them in our RVs--it would be interesting to know how many pets are killed and injured in vehicle accidents as compared with encounters with wild animals. Still no one suggests protecting their pets by leaving them home rather than expose them to the many dangers the highways and byways.
We are all dog lovers here, no one wants to see a dog killed or injured but the continual drumbeat of "Animal lovers please.......!" gets a bit tedious as does the inevitable tsk, tsking that accompanies the fear du jour. Can we assume that most of us here are responsible adults?
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CatandJim
Tulsa, as in Oklahoma
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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chuckster11 wrote:
1. Allowing a dog "freedom" to be dogs is healthy for the dogs and healthy for the psyche of dog owners............
2.Coyotes are certainly one risk that dog owners face in some areas--we have them here but they are still non-urbanized coyotes--unused to invading yards and areas close to humans. Where coyotes are a problem, you can bet that domestic animals and habitat destruction have taken the coyotes' natural food sources, leaving the coyote no other source of prey except pet animals.
..................................
Can we assume that most of us here are responsible adults?
I hope you don't mind that I numbered your comments for easier reference.
I am sure Chuck that you are trying to make a point on this thread. Perhaps you didn't notice that the number 1 comment contradicts the number 2, so I am unclear of the point you are trying to make.
We do completely agree on a couple of things which I have put in bold text. 
There is NO doubt coyotes have lost their habitat due to our encrouchment and have become predators of small domesticated animals. Depending on the area people live & visit they are a real, not imagined, threat to pets. Once again, using common sense we human adults have the ability to make certain decisions to protect what/who we are responsible for to the best of our ability.
I don't see any hysteria on this thread, we're just having a conversation.... one that could be beneficial to someone unaware.
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
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John Snow
Oklahoma
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Joined: 11/28/2005
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"we can take the "fur kids" thing too far sometimes."
True.
Good point. I read two separate factual statements in your posting and see no contradiction whatsoever.
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