Spaying/temperament

[blacknrust]

Hello everyone, my girl is getting spayed this week at just shy of 7 months old.
Have any of you experienced any change in temperament, activity level etc.?
Thanks

 

[MischasMomma]

Hello everyone, my girl is getting spayed this week at just shy of 7 months old.
Have any of you experienced any change in temperament, activity level etc.?
Thanks

Absolutely not. Haha, sorry that's probably not the answer you were hoping for, but Mischa is still the crazy nut post spay that she was pre spay. Has your girl gone through her first heat yet? I would highly recommend waiting until at least after her first heat. There are much needed hormones for correct growing, especially in big dogs, and you can also run into other health issues, like spay incontinence if done too early.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Hey there!

I have not altered any of my Dobes and I don't plan to. I have not owned a female though, and dealing with heats does not sound enjoyable.

If you can though, consider all of the evidence that has come forward regarding spaying/neutering – especially doing so early on in life. I agree with MischasMomma above.

I did have a friend with a German Shepherd that was aggressive and dominant – perhaps "oversexed." My friend got him neutered at maybe three or four years of age and it did not change his aggressive ways much if at all. The dog did get overweight though, but I know that my friend never did give that dog enough exercise.

 

[blacknrust]

Absolutely not. Haha, sorry that's probably not the answer you were hoping for, but Mischa is still the crazy nut post spay that she was pre spay

Lol. Definitely not the answer I was hoping for. I was hoping for a little less crazy .
It will be before her first heat. Originally I was going to wait, but at this time it is the best decision for us.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[strykerdobe]

As mentioned there are some studies out on Spay/Neuter.
I would hold off with any Spay/Neuter until 18-24 mo. For sure until after Bone Growth Plates in long bones have closed. Which is around 14-16mo.
These are very important hormones that dogs need for bone and muscle growth. Besides other organs and glands needing them.
Dogs that are Spay/Neuter can have Endocrine issues down the road. Also joint issues from Spay/Neuter to early and Spay Incontinance in females.
Also if you want to Spay/Neuter look into alternative methods. This way the dogs can keep their hormones.

 

[WiglWerm]

AGREE, AGREE, AGREEEE with @strykerdobe!! Do some research, it will blow your mind HOW IMPORTANT the hormones are for their health. Also when the time is right KEEP the ovaries!!! So important. (Sorry this subject is very near and dear to my heart, as I have always been an "upstanding responsible citizen" and had all my dogs spayed and neutered...IF I knew THEN what I know NOW...)

 

[WiglWerm]

Some great articles in this thread... Spay/ Neuter controversy

 

[strykerdobe]

Also forgot to mention. Yes Spay/Neuter can decrease the % of some Cancers. But they can also increase the % chances of some of the more aggressive Cancers.

 

[GennyB]

I agree with what has been said.....WAIT!
I have an intact male and recently brought home a female pup. I intend to keep her intact until she is at least 2yrs old for health reasons. Could prove interesting and we'll just see how that goes....
This will be my first intact pair so I make no promises. I just feel I owe it to her to give her every opportunity to have a long healthy life.
I lost my heart girl last year. She was a rescue that I brought home at 9 months old already spayed. She dealt with a lot of health issues including spay incontinence that worsened over time. Could some of her problems been caused by just poor breeding? Absolutely! But I can see where the studies about the need for hormones makes sense so I will NEVER alter a pup before maturity again.

 

[NikiL02]

Our GSD that was dominant didn't change a bit after neutering. He didn't listen to my step-dad any better. (I never had an issue.) Our females didn't change must after spaying either, but they did gain weight easily. The only change I noticed with any of our dogs is the underwear eating stopped. I get that a female in heat can be frustrating though and ultimately its your decision.

 

[Archer]

If you bought from a reputable breeder you may be in contract to spay at a certain time. Most reputable breeders contract out to wait to spay/neuter until 18-24 months due to the risk of health issues listed above. If you have a contract on your dog, my advice is to peruse it before you decide to spay.

My oldest Doberman was neutered at 12 months per breeder contract and he has had nothing but issues from it. He grew long and tall as a result if not having any testosterone to assist in normal growth. His long bones and joints are also affected as a result. At 5 years of age he has already had ACL repairs on both of his knees. This is typical for a dog who was altered prematurely....and this is a mild side effect of early spay/neuter. Why risk subjecting your dog to multiple health issues due to a simple inconvenience? Not being rude here. The benefits of waiting to alter far exceed the annoyances of dealing with heat cycles.

 

[MischasMomma]

If you bought from a reputable breeder you may be in contract to spay at a certain time. Most reputable breeders contract out to wait to spay/neuter until 18-24 months due to the risk of health issues listed above. If you have a contract on your dog, my advice is to peruse it before you decide to spay.

My oldest Doberman was neutered at 12 months per breeder contract and he has had nothing but issues from it. He grew long and tall as a result if not having any testosterone to assist in normal growth. His long bones and joints are also affected as a result. At 5 years of age he has already had ACL repairs on both of his knees. This is typical for a dog who was altered prematurely....and this is a mild side effect of early spay/neuter. Why risk subjecting your dog to multiple health issues due to a simple inconvenience? Not being rude here. The benefits of waiting to alter far exceed the annoyances of dealing with heat cycles.

I couldn't decide which to hit. But poor Archer has my heart so I choose empathize, because that gorgeous boy has been through so much

 

[Archer]

I couldn't decide which to hit. But poor Archer has my heart so I choose empathize, because that gorgeous boy has been through so much

Thanks Sarah. He is such a good boy

 

[blacknrust]

Just a follow up question are female dobermans more prone to these issues than other breeds?
My first dobe was a male so this is new territory for me.

 

[Archer]

No, all breeds are prone. Larger breeds are more prone due to how they develop. Both sexes are equally prone to the bone, joint and cancer risks that come with early spay/neuter. Females are the ones that fight spay incontinence.

 

[My2Girls]

I plan on waiting to get Shadow fixed after at least her first heat but I'm hoping to make it through her 2nd. So my question is how long are they in heat and do you put them in one of those diaper things during that time. What else should I be prepared for.

 

[Cariboo Country]

The only problem I have had with the few spayed females I have is keeping the weight off them. Before they were spayed I was not that particular about them getting a certain amount of food but afterwards I have to had to really limit it. I have never neutered any of the males I have had over the years. Right now I have two males that are not neutered, two spayed females and one female that has had one season and I am going to give her one more before spaying her.

 

[alphafemale]

So my question is how long are they in heat and do you put them in one of those diaper things during that time. What else should I be prepared for.

I plan on waiting for Mila too. Even debating not getting her spayed, BUT if they are anything like our female shih tzus? It's so incredibly hard on all of us. 3 weeks + 1. 1st week, swelling and irritability with some blood, 2nd is heavy blood, 3rd a creamy blood (can get pregnant during that time), and for us we get a bonus week of extreme horniness despite the heat being over. Gotta keep a constant eye on them. One of them keeps going through a false pregnancy too after every heat. So next week my mom's thinking of calling the vet about her (she's 5).

But I'm curious how the experienced ones deal w the blood for the Dobes. With our Shih tzus, I just used an old pair of my undies or a baby onesie (for the smaller girls). Problem was that the smell is NEVER washed out and even our neutered males will still react. I'm concerned about that with Mila. Despite them being Shih Tzus, and neutered, our boys probably won't care! Lol

 

[MischasMomma]

I plan on waiting to get Shadow fixed after at least her first heat but I'm hoping to make it through her 2nd. So my question is how long are they in heat and do you put them in one of those diaper things during that time. What else should I be prepared for.

I plan on waiting for Mila too. Even debating not getting her spayed, BUT if they are anything like our female shih tzus? It's so incredibly hard on all of us. 3 weeks + 1. 1st week, swelling and irritability with some blood, 2nd is heavy blood, 3rd a creamy blood (can get pregnant during that time), and for us we get a bonus week of extreme horniness despite the heat being over. Gotta keep a constant eye on them. One of them keeps going through a false pregnancy too after every heat. So next week my mom's thinking of calling the vet about her (she's 5).

But I'm curious how the experienced ones deal w the blood for the Dobes. With our Shih tzus, I just used an old pair of my undies or a baby onesie (for the smaller girls). Problem was that the smell is NEVER washed out and even our neutered males will still react. I'm concerned about that with Mila. Despite them being Shih Tzus, and neutered, our boys probably won't care! Lol

Since we planned on spaying Mischa I never got the fancy stuff. I know @Archer has some pretty nifty dog panties for her girls!! I used a pair of my son's underwear. Put them on backwards, so her tail stuck out that little hole thing that boys underwear has, it worked perfectly! We had also tried baby diapers (cheaper) and just cut a hole for her tail. But she was too wide even for the large diapers, the tabs wouldn't stay stuck. A pull up might have worked better, since they are bigger than diapers! I liked the underwear since it was reusable.

 

[Gelcoater]

Since we planned on spaying Mischa I never got the fancy stuff. I know @Archer has some pretty nifty dog panties for her girls!! I used a pair of my son's underwear. Put them on backwards, so her tail stuck out that little hole thing that boys underwear has, it worked perfectly! We had also tried baby diapers (cheaper) and just cut a hole for her tail. But she was too wide even for the large diapers, the tabs wouldn't stay stuck. A pull up might have worked better, since they are bigger than diapers! I liked the underwear since it was reusable.

That's pretty smart thinking,using the boy underwear.
And, I did use the pull ups on Daisy. I simply cut a small hole for her nub.
I had a couple of pairs of underwear I put on over the pull ups also with a hole cut for the nub.
She was an active girl, so I fashioned a pair of men's suspenders with clips to keep them in place.
A handy side effect of having all girls around, banana clips! Used one on the top side of the suspenders to keep the straps up on her back and not spreading around her rib cage.

To the OP, that all sounds like a bit of effort, huh?
But I was willing to do it, and did for most of 6 seasons.
I would avoid the spay till after at least 16 months of age to let her body develop.
I can also attest to the spay incontinence issues. After the spay she had leakage upon trying to get up from a laying position.
It is treatable with meds, but the meds, any meds IMO is just taxing other organs in the body.
It's worth saying many get spayed with no post op issues, just know it is a possibility.

Boys and girls-apples and oranges.
@Archer words about a leggy boy from early neuter.
I have a Rocky that fits that description, fortunately and thankfully without any ACL surgeries (knock on wood).