Should a dog have a litter of puppies before shes spayed?

Question

I don't know if I should mate my dog, she's a staffie bull, does anyone know whats best?

Answer 1

There is alot of discussion on should you or should you not spay your dog after she has a first litter.

Altering pets helps prevent the unwanted birth of animals that would be difficult to place into good homes. Sadly, each year more than 15 million dogs and cats are killed because of overpopulation.

The spaying and neutering of pets can also reduce their incidence of sex-hormone related diseases. consider all the potential pitfalls to breeding,
are willing to guarantee the health of the puppies,
are prepared for the daily care and socialization of puppies,
can deal with the emotional impact of problems and of parting with the puppies,
will carefully screen potential puppy buyers,
can withstand the financial expenses that occur if Sassy has trouble whelping or a pup gets sick or a buyer can’t keep the pup he bought.
In other words, unless you are prepared to do the same things a responsible breeder would do, don’t bother.

Getting the litter on the ground is only half the battle. Although many litters are born without trouble and puppies trot off to new homes with nary a glance backward, responsible breeders do everything they can to make sure the pup not only gets a good start in life, but has a lifetime commitment to keep it healthy and safe. Although the best plans can go awry, they do not leave the fate of their pups to chance.

Backyard breeders have a different perspective. Whether they are producing pups for money or to give Sassy or the kids the experience of birth, they usually approach puppy production with a carefree attitude. If a pup dies, it’s too bad, but that’s life. If it has worms or fleas or mange, that’s life, too. And if that last pup or two doesn’t sell by three months, well, it’s off to the shelter.

Responsible breeders consider every aspect of puppy production to be important. After taking care to whelp healthy puppies to be sold as pets or show dogs, they treat each litter with care and concern for their physical and mental development, provide initial socialization and housetraining, and carefully screen prospective owners.
I am a proud owner of several purebred reg. rat terriers, (3) among with a mix(rat terrier/shiba inu-not related to my rat terriers) and I will admit, I did breed one of my females to my male but I made sure I had good caring homes before they were born. I got them vaccinated and dewormed regulary....and I got them spayed/netured when they were old enough. After the pups were weaned I got my adult dogs fixed as well. I had one pup brought back to me because the buyer(kept the promise that if he couldn't care for it or something came up he would bring the pup back and get a refund) and i kept the pup. If you will be a reponsible owner and can do as what i did then i see no harm in you breeding your dog. If not then i would consider you getting your dog spayed.Responsible breeders are those who carefully select a mate for Puffin or Princess; make sure she’s hale and hardy before breeding; and get her checked for hip dysplasia, eye diseases, deafness, or any other breed-related genetic abnormality. And they make sure the male selected to father the litter is just as healthy.

Most experts recommend that a female dog reach at least two years of age before breeding. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals will certify hips as well-formed or dysplastic at two years, and that watershed age assures that most bitches will have developed the physical and behavioral characteristics that determine whether they should be allowed to contribute puppies to the breed’s gene pool. In addition, two-year old bitches are generally mature enough to carry and nourish a litter.

Some large or giant breeds are still growing at two years and breeders may prefer to wait even longer before producing a litter.

All breeds – mixes included – suffer from genetic abnormalities. Some of these abnormalities can be detected by x-rays or through blood tests or DNA screens. Skeletal malformations such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and loose kneecaps (luxating patellas) can be detected by x-ray. These joint deformities can cause painful arthritis in later years, can be passed on to offspring, and may lead to expensive surgeries and the emotion trauma of euthanizing a young dog that is afflicted beyond repair.

Since the idea of purebred dog breeding is to produce puppies that will grow up to look like a particular breed, dogs with a disqualifying breed fault should not be bred. At times, this may mean foregoing a litter with a ***** for faults that seem to be minor but can lead to diffusion of breed character. For example, a too-tall American Eskimo Dog might produce pups that look more like Samoyeds; an Akita ***** without the characteristic curled tail might produce pups with equally unacceptable tails; a white Boxer is likely to be deaf or to produce deaf puppies; etc.

Dogs with minor faults should only be bred to mates that can correct those faults. For example, if Sassy’s teeth alignment is off, she should only be paired with a male with perfect teeth. Or if she’s a bit small or large for the breed standard, she should be bred to a dog that is the correct size.
Now the facts.
The neutered male cat has a decreased urine odor, less of a tendency to fight and roam, and it is far less inclined to mark its territory by spraying urine.

The neutered male dog is also less likely to roam, mark territory, and display aggression toward other dogs.

Neutered dogs have fewer prostrate problems, tumors around the anus, and decreased urine odor.

The spayed female cat and dog do not have reproductive tract disease problems and both are troubled with significantly fewer cases of mammary cancer.The best way to decide on a timetable for your particular pet is to consult with your veterinarian. Current research has shown that, in general, it is safe to alter dogs and cats as early as eight weeks of age.

If your pet is going to be a companion animal rather than a breeding animal, then there are no benefits to allowing her to have a litter or to go through a heat period.

It is actually healthier for your dog or cat never to experience a heat as it lessen’s the animal’s chance of getting mammary cancer and decreases the animal’s stress and risks due to pregnancy and delivery.

Research indicates that dogs spayed prior to their first heat have less than a half of one percent chance of experiencing mammary cancer as compared to an eight percent chance after the second heat.

Cats spayed after their first heat have a seven times greater chance of suffering from mammary cancer than cats spayed prior to their first heat.

Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.
As you may know, stafffordshire bull terriers are prone to

Mange and heart murmurs. Breeders should be concerned with doing health testing on the sire or dam such as OFA, PENN HIP. If you do decide to breed your dog, make sure the stud has be tested and approved by a vet...

consider this:
- do you have people that want one and will take care of the pup?
-the time and money it takes to carefully breed and take care of your pups till they are ready to leave? Believe me, in the end you end up spending more on the pups(health wise and all) then you will get back for the individual pup when comes time to sell it.


If you do then go for it! If not then consider on spraying your dog....as for what is best is up to you! If you think you have the time and money then maybe you should if not then don't. Its a very tough decision.......that has to be made by only You and no one else. Good luck!

Answer 2

It's not necessary to mate your dog before she's spayed or to 'let her have her first litter'. She can be spayed when she's old enough for the surgery and will be fine. The difficulty of finding homes for puppies and the medical expenses incurred in a pregnancy may make it easier to just have the dog spayed.

Of course your vet would be the best one to advise, this is just my opinion.

Luna

Answer 3

No, a dog should not have a litter of puppies before it's spayed. This is an old wives tail, fallacy, urban legend. If you want more dogs, visit your local shelter, humane society etc.

Answer 4

I would say NO--have you been to the SPCA lately to see all of the unwanted puppies?? LOTS of them are there because their owners thought the female should have a litter before she was spayed.

Unless you have a champion dog and you'll be able to "place" the resulting pups in excellent homes, I don't think it's wise to let her have a litter first.

I don't think there is a physical benefit for the dog.

Enjoy your pet and please give her a hug for me.

Answer 5

I would let her go into season once, but not have pups. This makes the dog grow up so to speak. My dog was spayed before she came into season and she acts like she did when she was a puppy. Not complaining though, I love her as she is!

Answer 6

If you want to put up with the responsiblity of taking care of puppies and you have the time then sure let her have one litter. Before you do though make sure you know of some people who would want the dogs once they can be adopted. It would be best for the world if she didn't have any but if you really think you can handle it then go ahead. Good Luck!

Answer 7

I would have her spayed. Even one litter will increase your dogs chances of mamary(breast) cancer or ovarian/uterine cancer. Veteranarians are spaying/neutering dogs earlier and earlier because it's been proven that early spay/neuter lowers the risks of reproductive types of cancer.

Also, unfortunately there are so many unwanted puppies out there already that it's best to spay/neuter your dog unless it's for the betterment of the breed. For example you have the perfect representation(show standards) of the breed.

Answer 8

It depends on whether you're up for the responsibility, and if you have a place for the puppies when they are old enough. Don't mate her if you don't think you can handle it. If you choose not to, definetely get her spayed, or you'll have plenty of unnuetered male dogs to deal with.

Answer 9

I think it's illegal to mate with your dog, oh no, hang on, lesbianism isn't recognised in law, or did they change that? You could marry the ***** in a Civil Partnership, then mate with her, but you'd have a hard time getting her up the duff without some canine jism involved, but anyway it'd still be bestiality which I'm pretty certain's very much against the law, so if you really want to do it, do it in the privacy of your own home and don't be telling potentially millions of law-enforcement agents about it on the net.

Answer 10

No there's no reason for it,unless you want to add to the already heartbreaking numbers of unwanted pets in the world.Also,if you have your dog spayed while she's young it greatly reduces her chance of developing breast cancer and eliminates the possibility of cancer or infection of the uterus.Please have her spayed.

Answer 11

not unless you want and can home the pups. there are enough homeless and ill treated dogs in the world. it makes no difference. get her done before she gets too old. staffs tend to have uterine problems in later life if they are not spayed.