Do female dogs needs to get pregnant at least once in their lives for health reason?

Question

I have a female toy poodle as a pet. Now she's 2 years old.

Some people said that I must breed the dog at least once or twice in her life so she'll be healthier.

But the problem is my dog isn't a good breed. Her skin is sensitive and even have mites before. The vet said this is the problem of her gens. I'm just afraid by breeding this dog will leave a big problem to the puppies' owner. I don't want them spend a lot of money taking the puppies to vets like I did.

So another thing came into my mind, spaying. But some of the dog owners said spaying a dog will increase the risk of my dog having cancer and obesity.

So what should I do?

She is 2 years old and heated for twice already... Is it too late to be spayed?

Answer 1

No, definitely not. This is one of the most annoying of old wives' tales that is gradually being stamped out.

Having litters is in no way healthy for an animal. The healthiest thing you can do for them is to have them spayed before their first heat. This gives them their best chance (75%) of avoiding mammary tumours when older. Every heat decreases this chance by about 25%.

You've heard some seriously messed-up info! Spaying an animal DECREASES their chances of getting cancers - ovarian, cervical and mammary. An unspayed b itch is more prone to getting these diseases, as well as pyometra, a potentially fatal womb infection.

There is only one negative side-effect to neutering, and that is that it slows down the animal's metabolism, making them more prone to weight gain. This is however perfectly controllable simply by feeding the correct amounts of a high quality food.

Please don't let your dog have a litter. As well as risking her health you will be adding to the already vast overpopulation of dogs in shelters. Allowing a pet to have litters is not responsible behaviour. You are absolutely correct that you should not be breeding this dog - please get her spayed, you still have a chance to protect her health - 2 years old is most certainly not too late.

Chalice

Answer 2

NO, spaying the dog helps prevent cancer and infections. If she is spayed b4 she ever comes into heat she has 0 chance of breast cancer, if she goes thru 1 heat the risk goes up and if she is 2 yrs or older she has the same risk as an unspayed dog. Due to the Puppy Lemon Law in most states if you breed inferior pups with hereditary problems the pups owners can sue you big time. A rescue I worked with put a BYB out of business and she lost her house and had to move because she bred dogs with bad hips and nasty temperaments. Six defective pups owners' sued and she had to pay for hip replacements for several hips. There are way too many dogs in need of homes that have lovely temperaments and are healthy that are being killed so why add to the problem. People will dump the dogs once they find out how expensive they are to treat or sue you. I have 7 neutered dogs, none are fat or even a few pounds overweight and I am NOT spayed and AM overwieght because I overeat and underexercise.

Answer 3

No I have always gotten by dogs spayed at 5 months.
Especially if her helath problems are genetic it's just breeding problems and health issued for the pups.
Just get her spayed and the overweight thing is an owner feeling sorry for their dog and ovefeeding it to fill the "empty spot" feed the dog as you would normally and you won't have problems.
As far as cancer and all that's what spaying can prevetn not cause. Teh harmones that the dog produces each heat etc is what can cause the health problems by spaying her it will help to prevent these things.
What you have heard are the olde wives tails.
I have worked at vets for many years and that is all I have ever been told the sooner you get spayed if not breeding the healthier.
So set up the appointment and get it done for her sake and yours.

Answer 4

Spayiny will reduce the risk of mamary cancer if done prior to the 4th heat cycle, and completly if done before the first. Re spaying, mutiple studies have been done which address this question. No evidence has ever been found that spaying will adversley affect her as a pet. It will encourage obesity in later life, but then so does our life style, over feeding and many other things. Encourage does not = cause. The skin may or may not be related to her "intact" status, but probaly not. . Can't even answer w/o more infro, You mentioned 'MItes" Sarcoptes" or demodex? Demodex can have a genetic component, sarcoptes is an infestation.
In Brief, spay the dog, be sure she is on a good diet, protect from fleas and ticks, and be ware of seasonal allergies. Enjoy your baby.

Answer 5

I am not a vet nor do I have any credentials regarding animal health, but I will tell you what I have heard from others regarding your questions. This infomation has been communicated to me by persons who have dealt with these issues and have consulted veterinarians.

First off, no you do not have to breed your dog, but my understanding is that if you are not planning on breeding her, you should have her spayed. I have an 8 year old dog, and I am concerned she has cancer, and I was told that it is very common in females 6-8 years of age, who have never had pups and have never been spayed. This is especially common "I am told" in smaller dogs. I wish I was aware of this when she was much younger.

Apparently when dogs are spayed, it will reduce their chances of getting cancer, it will though as you mentionned may make them a little lazier, but I think with proper exercise, that can be dealt with.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Dogs dont have to be bred to be healthier. Have you ever heard of a person being having a kid to be healthier?? Spaying will increase odds of obesity, but if you monitor feeding properly she will be ok. As for the cancer aspect, spaying reduces the risks of cancers by 80%. I think that sounds like a positive aspect. It is never too late to spay, the earlier the better. Spaying will prevent her from getting pyometra (pus filled uterus) which can be fatal. Good luck and happy tails!

Answer 7

That is not true. I have a Dobie that is 8 years old & she has never been breed. She is in good health. They can have health problems if they are not spayed when they get older though!!! A dog getting cancer or becoming obeese after spaying is not true either. I had a dog that ended up with cancer of the bone, but he was a male!! The female that I just lost was spayed & she died of heart complications!!

Answer 8

NO,NO,NO!!! There is no health benefit to having a dog bred! In fact it's the opposite. You run the risk of mammary tumors, pyometria and a host of other problems. Get the dog spayed!! I commend you for being concerned about the quality of the puppies you produce. Spaying does not increase cancer or obesity risks. Overfeeding and lack of exercise cause obesity. Cancer risk is actually lowered as you basically remove the risk of mammary, ovarian or uterine cancer.

Answer 9

This is an old wives tale. Completely false.

Spaying your Poodle will not lead to cancer or obesity as long as you moderate her food intake, exercise her and give her the best level of care you possible can. Keeping them in the best physical shape, inside and out, is essential. Do that and you will have a healthy, happy dog.

I commend you for seeing sense and not listening to what other people say. You know in your head that your girl is not breeding quality, therefore she should not be bred -- kudos to you.

I strongly suggest you spay her but ultimately that is your choice. Thank you for being a responsible owner!

Answer 10

A dog never NEEDS to have puppies. Spaying DECREASES the risk of cancer. Never spaying INCREASES the risk of cancer. You do need to watch the food intake and make sure the dog gets enough exercise.