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Permalink Reply by Sarah C. on July 8, 2008 at 3:36pm

My girl was spayed at 4 months before any cycles. Her potty issues stem only from us not reading her dog-english and taking her out.
3 vets and my breeder reccomended I gave her fixed before her first cycle, and none of them mentioned anything about potty issues. It's news to me?

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on July 8, 2008 at 3:55pm

Well, it really takes 9 months to 1 year to train a corgi to be fully potty train with no relapse, usually dogs get 2 heat cycles a year, so that part is true, but there is firm medical research indicating that if a dog spay surgery is performed before the dog's first estrus cycle (heat) the chances for developing mammary gland cancer later in life is nearly zero. If a dog goes through one heat cycle and then is spayed, the chances of mammary cancer later in life are slightly reduced. And if a dog has three or more estrus cycles and then is spayed there is no protective influence against developing mammary cancer. In addition, any dog that is spayed will have no chance of developing a potentially fatal uterus infection called Pyometra. Many veterinarians recommend spaying dogs at about six months of age, which is generally prior to a dog's first heat cycle. Some veterinarians will suggest that the surgery be done at four or five months of age. Be sure to have a discussion with your veterinarian about the "whens" and "whys" of spaying. There is no particularly convincing reason to let a dog "have one heat cycle" or "just one litter" prior to spaying.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah C. on July 8, 2008 at 5:33pm

I haven't heard of most of this. Can you please post your sources? I'd love to read more about it.

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Permalink Reply by Sam on July 8, 2008 at 5:32pm

In the big picture it just makes most sense to have them spayed at the six month time. There is lots of information out there about the positives and negatives however the typical pet owner is far better off just doing the spay. Not sure if your breeder is one involved in showing but perhaps her idea is watching this girl grow for the possibility of breeding. All the reputable breeders I know place their pets on a spay/neuter contract.....period. The heats can be difficult to live with. You will note a change in your dogs behavior at that time, it can be quite a mess and supervision is mandatory at all times when she is outside of the home. The coat change is huge. I can not think of any benefit most pet owners would have by keeping their dog intact beynd six months.

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Permalink Reply by Furpants McGee on July 8, 2008 at 5:45pm

wow, all the responses look like what i expected...it's so unfortunate the state of california has VERY strict laws speutering laws simply because of pet over-population, without considering breed differences, health issues etc.! i believe 8 weeks is the california standard for speutering, and in my mind, that's outrageous!!! all my breeder suggested waiting for was due to the possible potty training issues. i don't plan on spaying her right away, so i suppose i will have to talk with my vet about it, but another thing my breeder advised me of is the lack of knowledge vets have about the corgi breed as they are a TRUE dwarf breed. i'm willing to do what is best for my dog, which is why i do intend to have her fixed...to avoid the breast cancer issues, etc. AND help with the homeless pet over-population problem. *sigh* what a conundrum...

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Permalink Reply by Sam & Shelby on July 8, 2008 at 5:51pm

Huh, I've never heard of that. I also have a 4 year old miniature schnauzer and I think (which usually means that there's a 55% chance that I'm wrong) that we got her spayed berfore her cycles started. She hasn't had any problems.

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Permalink Reply by Sylvia & Timmy on July 8, 2008 at 6:04pm

Leslie,
To make your job even easier, LOL I've attached several websites from reputable sources. They will confuse you and make bleary eyed, but I'm sure this is what Steve refers to. Also, breeders of working dogs (not the AKC title, but reality title) like the corgi are now recommending waiting to spay/neuter until 18 months or later, due to an increased likelihood of ACL and CCL injuries. All this you should weigh with the vet you choose to work with. You might check with PWCCSC and see if they have specific vets with more knowledge of corgi/dwarf breeds. The cardigan is a totally different breed than the Pem. Different ancestory/stock and are a true teckel breed, like the Dachshund, while the Pem is of Spitz heritage.

A whole lot more information for you to digest. I'll be the first to tell you that unless Petunia will be used for breeding, you should have her spayed. At what time, up to you and your chosen vet. I'm sure that Steve's preferences relate to his being a concerned breeder and having healthy pups.

My own experience, three GSD's females spayed at 15 months, two male GSD's spayed at 18 mos. on recommendation of their breeder. The hassles of having an unaltered female is only a problem if you were leaving her unattended in a yard, or outside run. Females have a way of trying to escape and mate at that time, and don't even mention the male dogs in the area. When I walked my females, I always carried a large walking stick and an air horn. Thank God, it only lasts three weeks!!

Good luck on your decision making LOL

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInD...
http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/pdf/10.2460/javma.231.11.1665?cook...
http://www.vetinfo.com/subscriber/0307digest.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24597888/

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