Phoebe goes back to her breeder. Although I was planning on spaying her for medical reasons, I need to get her tested for vWD first as it appears her dam might have had it - hence her sadly going to the Bridge after being spayed

Usually a really loud "KNOCK IT OFF!" or "SHUT UP!" works

I had my bitch spayed around 7 months (after her first season).

I'm a little worried on what to do with my GSD. I've heard lots of stories with regards to dogs always trying to be the alpha male and showing their dominance etc. (This is my first dog, btw)

Any suggestions?

Hi Crazycockers, in answer to your question, maybe I'm just lucky but I have little or no problem with noise, anorexia, seperation or anything else when one or other of my 4 bitches are in season. I have 3 entire males, apart from some minor whinging, no probs. Perhaps it makes a difference in that none of my boys have ever been used at stud.

I've just read everyone's postings thoroughly and I shall see how he gets on in the future and not make any rash decisions.

My Snorri-dog has an overshot top jaw, which could well be heritable. At 12 weeks, the vet offered to castrate him. Later, it transpired that he's epileptic, too, which may also be heritable. nevertheless, we have kept him "intact" and have elected to make the effort to ensure that he doesn't get the chance to pass any of this on.

Yep, it's partially "male sympathy" in that I'd rather not have my own "bits" chopped off, so why should he? Come to think of it, I know some human males that should have had their "bits" chopped off, rather than allow them to duplicate themselves!

Snorri
:smt071

Lol!!

I just heard about something called pyometra in females that aren't fixed. A woman on another boards dog almost died of it.

http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/pyometra.htm

http://www.internationalstafford.com...da/elinda.html

Many years ago I did lose a bitch to pyometra, she was an 8 year old Irish Setter, she had had one litter at 3 years old (loaned back to her breeder). I still do not hold with the fashion of spaying bitches and castrating dogs for contraceptive reasons.

I show my dogs/bitches and they are Irish Setters and American Cockers. These breeds have coat types that deteriorate badly with neutering. I regard myself as responsible and I am more that capable of keeping the sexes apart when neccessary, I haven't had an accident to date (30 years). I have no need of neutering any of them, I am affraid of the anaesthetic risk and I regard neutering as unneccessary surgery.

Pyometra may or may never happen, mammary tumours may or may never happen. Unspayed bitches are not certain to get either.

I make my decisions and accept the consequences.You can't take the risk out of life.

after this litter poppy will be spayed. ---- shes going to live with a friend who lost her oldest shar-pei and her younger [8] male is pining, she thinks a puppy will be too much for him, and as she loves poppy and poppy her, so as shes at home all day and the dogs get 2 walks a day and get to sleep on the bed i know poppy will think shes gone to heaven, other than that shed be getting left home a lot while im at shows with either casey or a puppy, i know some wont ever think of doing this, but i know its for the best all around,. :smt105