YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Is being spayed healthier for a female dog?

Brittie123 · 02-16-2005, 04:14 PM

I wrote this in another thread:
This is a pretty controversial subject with yorkie owners. If I were you I would try to find an experienced and reputable breeder in your area and take your dog to them to be examined, as there is a lot that the average person does not know about breeding. You are right also, I have heard many experienced breeders say that yorkie breedings can be difficult and can sometimes require c-section delivery. I know than many also say you must be prepared to lose your female during delivery due to complications, etc. I know it sounds scary, because it is!
Personally I believe in pet owners being just that...pet owners, and leave the breeding to the professionals. In fact, the medical evidence shows that females spayed before having a litter are typically healthier and live longer lives.
Also if you just want another sweetheart like your girl, a dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can't guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet owner's chances are even slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of puppies or kittens might receive all of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics.
Terri Shumsky, a yorkie breeder of 30 years and a yorkie expert, says this about breeding your pet:
"Before you consider breeding your Yorkie, send the pedigree of your female to several well known and trustworthy breeders. If possible go to a dog show and try to have the Yorkie judge evaluate your puppy, to tell you if it is good enough to be bred.
Before breeding the male and female should be certifed free of brucellosis. This is a standard test that your vet can do on the 5th day of heat.
Most breeders don't insist on the male being certified as free of brucellosis but it would not be unusual to expect the male to be tested also before you breed to him.
There are many books available on the trials and tribulations of breeding toy dogs, and I suggest that you at least read one that lets you know what you're letting yourself in for and also buy as many whelping videos as you can."

As far as HEALTH BENEFITS, I was so terrified to get Mia spayed but did a little research and found out the horrible things that can happen to females who aren't spayed. I also spoke to several vets and those problems such as mammary tumors and pyometria are not just a possibility, they are very real and deadly, not to mention painful. I just knew I had to put her above my own selfish worries.
Mia is still under 2 lbs at a year old and she did just fine, you just have to do your research on toy dogs and anesthesia, as well as ask lots of questions of your vet!
I just added sections about these very things to my website for more info if you want to check it out: http://www.mylittlemia.com/spaying.html and http://www.mylittlemia.com/yorkiecare.html#anchor_48.
I know its so scary but afterwards you will feel so much better!
I agree you need to do it soon because if you wait until after her second heat cycle or after she has a litter she will still be at high risk for unspayed female diseases like pyometria and mammary cancer. Mia is only 1.5 lbs and she made it through just fine, I know how you feel though I was worried sick. But its just something I knew I had to do because I didn't want to be selfish not spaying her when it really is the best thing for her. For boys its different, there aren't as many health benefits and its really to end marking behavior. But for females its really important for the life of the dog. JMO!

02-16-2005, 04:14 PM	#2
Brittie123 No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 288	I wrote this in another thread: This is a pretty controversial subject with yorkie owners. If I were you I would try to find an experienced and reputable breeder in your area and take your dog to them to be examined, as there is a lot that the average person does not know about breeding. You are right also, I have heard many experienced breeders say that yorkie breedings can be difficult and can sometimes require c-section delivery. I know than many also say you must be prepared to lose your female during delivery due to complications, etc. I know it sounds scary, because it is! Personally I believe in pet owners being just that...pet owners, and leave the breeding to the professionals. In fact, the medical evidence shows that females spayed before having a litter are typically healthier and live longer lives. Also if you just want another sweetheart like your girl, a dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can't guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet owner's chances are even slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of puppies or kittens might receive all of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics. Terri Shumsky, a yorkie breeder of 30 years and a yorkie expert, says this about breeding your pet: "Before you consider breeding your Yorkie, send the pedigree of your female to several well known and trustworthy breeders. If possible go to a dog show and try to have the Yorkie judge evaluate your puppy, to tell you if it is good enough to be bred. Before breeding the male and female should be certifed free of brucellosis. This is a standard test that your vet can do on the 5th day of heat. Most breeders don't insist on the male being certified as free of brucellosis but it would not be unusual to expect the male to be tested also before you breed to him. There are many books available on the trials and tribulations of breeding toy dogs, and I suggest that you at least read one that lets you know what you're letting yourself in for and also buy as many whelping videos as you can." As far as HEALTH BENEFITS, I was so terrified to get Mia spayed but did a little research and found out the horrible things that can happen to females who aren't spayed. I also spoke to several vets and those problems such as mammary tumors and pyometria are not just a possibility, they are very real and deadly, not to mention painful. I just knew I had to put her above my own selfish worries. Mia is still under 2 lbs at a year old and she did just fine, you just have to do your research on toy dogs and anesthesia, as well as ask lots of questions of your vet! I just added sections about these very things to my website for more info if you want to check it out: http://www.mylittlemia.com/spaying.html and http://www.mylittlemia.com/yorkiecare.html#anchor_48. I know its so scary but afterwards you will feel so much better! I agree you need to do it soon because if you wait until after her second heat cycle or after she has a litter she will still be at high risk for unspayed female diseases like pyometria and mammary cancer. Mia is only 1.5 lbs and she made it through just fine, I know how you feel though I was worried sick. But its just something I knew I had to do because I didn't want to be selfish not spaying her when it really is the best thing for her. For boys its different, there aren't as many health benefits and its really to end marking behavior. But for females its really important for the life of the dog. JMO! Last edited by Brittie123; 02-16-2005 at 04:16 PM.