Firstly, thank you for all the wonderful posts on this forum from experienced dog owners! If I hadn't found this place, my puppy would have been spayed at 6 months as my vet and all the other advice on the internet seems to recommend. Now, I absolutely won't hear of having her spayed until she's at least two. I want her to have the chance to develop to full adulthood first. I also really don't want her to wind up stuck in an uncooperative phase!
I always thought that at six months, they seem too young to be having such a major operation, but everyone tells you that it's for the best, and until reading this, I'd never heard of the idea that it might stunt their development. Now I have a good argument to respond with when people start telling me to have her neutered.
Anyway, the reason for the post is that already, even though she isn't quite four months old, I'm being pressured to have her neutered. I have a couple of questions that I hope people here will be able to help me with.
Nettle, you mentioned at the beginning of the thread that there have been some big studies done on the physical effects of neutering, but didn't cover them because the board is more for behaviour. I can't find anything online to back me up in not wanting to neuter her until she's older, is there any chance you (or anyone!) could point me in the direction of some research? It'll help to get my parents off my back about having her done!
Forgive me if this sounds incredibly stupid... but... if she's in heat, could this scent transfer to the other dog in the household so that HE is pestered by dogs while out on a walk?
The question will make more sense when I explain. I'm at my parents house because my mom is due for spinal surgery sometime this year. She's going to have a long recovery period, so Pixie (the *****) will likely still be living here with me when she goes into her first season. So we will also be here with my moms neutered male dog, Jack.
Talking with my mom tonight about her spaying, I told her that I'd be waiting until she's at least two. My mom, who's an experienced dog owner, and who often had a multi-dog household, said that she didn't like the idea. Her main objection is that she thinks the scent will transfer to her dog, who'll then be pestered by dogs. She thinks that if six months is good enough for the guide dogs for the blind, then it's good enough for us. She's had entire bitches before, so I didn't feel I could argue with her reasoning... but surely there would be something we could do?
It's also entirely possible that she's just worried that I don't want to spay her because I secretly want her to have puppies! Nothing could be further from the truth! Puppies are cute, but she's a crossbreed, so no reason to breed from her from that point of view, and there are enough unwanted dogs in the world. I also shudder when I think how tough it was to manage with one puppy in the household, the idea of seven or so puppies sounds like more than I could take! (Pixie was one of seven).
But since I adore Jack, she might be saying that it could affect Jack to try to put me off waiting. Any ideas?