Breeding

[lsimons]

Hi! I have more questions. My Annabell is 5 months old and will soon be entering her heat. I was wondering if she should be fixed as soon as she is able to be. I have heard that is good for females to at least have one litter of pups because it makes them better dogs mentally.?

I do not exactly know what to do. I would not mind if she had pups but I am not a breeder and do not have papers for her. So if she had pups I do not know how I would be able to give them away.

Any answers would be great or experience with this. Thanks

 

[Gretchen B]

Please have her spayed as as soon as you are able to. There is no reason to add to the overpopulation of animals we already have! Both my girls were spayed as soon as we could and they are the best dogs I have ever had. Good luck!

 

[harley03]

Go ahead and get her spayed.
There is no scientific evidence suggesting that having a litter of pups is mentally beneficial. There are so many things that can go wrong when whelping a litter that an inexperienced dog owner should have no part in it . When something goes wrong often the average owner has no idea what needs to be done.
5-6 months is a good time to have it done. She should heal quickly due to her young age.

 

[Vela]

Definitely get her spayed. It is an old wives tale that female dogs need to have a litter to settle. She will be better off not having a first heat and pups health wise. If you have no breeding experience and she doesn't have papers anyway then there is no point in breeding her because as you said, might be hard to give the pups away, and it isn't bettering the breed at all. Not to mention you could lose your girl in the proces of whelping. Not a good scenario all the way around. I think it's GREAT you looked into it and went about getting infomraton before you just bred her because of somethig you heard. I wish more people were like you! SHe will be better off spayed and you won't have to worry about what to do with puppies.

 

[HarleyMama]

Good for you for asking first!

I'm not going to repeat whats already been said about the benefits of having your girl spayed now, before her first heat. But, I am a little surprised that no one mentioned that having pups too young can not only be detrimental physically (as your pup is still growing), but mentally as well. Female dogs just arent mentally mature enough at 6months old to be having pups, their still babies themselves.

Melissa & Harley

P.S. My dad had a female boxer when I was young, it was intended for her to be shown then bred, but when he got transfered overseas, we had to give Chelsea to family in CT. They had her spayed at 7months old and she was the best dog they've ever known. They have since had boxers, but none compared to our girl Chelsea. So, they dont need to have pups to be good dogs.

 

[VTbxrFan]

Definitely go ahead and have her spayed. In addition to the reasons already mentioned by others, there are health benefits associated with spaying - particularly a reduced risk of mammary cancer. Spaying before her first heat nearly eliminates the risk of mammary cancer. Spaying later also reduces the risk, but the greatest reduction in risk is associated with spaying before her first heat, so go ahead and do it soon.

 

[lsimons]

I very much appreciate all of the helpful advice. I have never had a dog like Annabell, she is just the most loving thing. I never knew that dogs could be this way. She loves me and chases after my daughter like it is a pup of her own.

I would never want to do anything to change her or make her any different then she already is. I have heard as well that once they are spayed that they begin to settle in to there home more, is this true?

 

[cl2ysta1]

I would never want to do anything to change her or make her any different then she already is. I have heard as well that once they are spayed that they begin to settle in to there home more, is this true?

you've probably heard they stick around.. they do that because they are not in heat and do not go searching for a mate

 

[Mama_Zookeeper]

A spayed female can be just the same as an unspayed one without all the hassle of heats, stains,keeping her confined for the duration of the heat. The 2 females I have had were both spayed with very little problem There is also evidence that paying before the first heat can reduce your pups risk of certain cancers. Please keep us posted on your decision.

Dora & the Zoo Crew

 

[ladyluck_t]

I have heard as well that once they are spayed that they begin to settle in to there home more, is this true?

Settle? Not really a word i would use with boxers!
I really dont have any advice about when to spay. to be honest, the main reason i spayed katie was the fact that i am female and i know intimately what happens durning "that time" And since i have no desire to deal with it in myself, i was NOT going to deal with it in my katie! (i am anxiously awaiting menopause.... ) But it would stand to reason that if she is not going to be shown or bred by experienced breeders, then spaying would be best. (IMO)

As far as settling into the home, well as far as i can see, this is accomplished with lots and lots of love and respect on both sides! I swear boxers are the most unique dogs ever! Congrats on your little girl!

Carolyn and Kate