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Mom2BabyNatalie · 06-01-2008, 11:13 AM

This is a difficult topic... at least for me...

There's so much controversy - - so many pro's and con's...

From a "mommy" standpoint, where I would be considering the procedure for a family pet of my own... I think I would wait to spay / neuter...

From a breeder standpoint.... how can you?

In order to ASSURE that your pups are not going to "contribute to the already out of hand pet population problem" - end up in a deplorable puppy mill environment - and for the protection of your own lines - - it's really a "necessary evil" to spay / neuter your pups before placement.

There are far too many out there who don't give 2 cents about a "spay / neuter contract" and even with strict stipulations and thorough research of new parents - it won't always be honored... and in all honesty, we really have no way to FORCE someone to honor the contract once the pup has left our hands. (sure, you can take the puppy back... if you can FIND the owners who now have your baby and have defaulted on their contract... and even then, by the time you get through the court system to reclaim your puppy - he/she has already produced 4 new litters!!)

So in an ideal situation.... sure, the pups would be placed on a spay / neuter contract.... held very closely to their owners to avoid "accidental breedings" - while in wait of the "appropriate age" of which that contract should be fullfilled.... and every new pet owner everywhere, would be responsible enough to play their part...

Or.... breeders simply would not place their puppies until they are a year old or more... (beyond puberty) at which time they could safely be altered and everyone is happy... (except the breeder who has to make allowances to raise each and every one of their pups for over a year - - and the pups who fail to thrive because they have been inadequately socialized or have failed to bond with a family of their own while waiting to "age" - - and the new families who missed out on the entire "baby stage" of their new puppy because they were in a "holding tank" phase of development before they could be altered and then released to live their lives).

Neither scenario is likely to occur...

Which leaves us spaying and neutering our babies at 12 - 14 weeks of age BEFORE placing them in homes....

But are we causing them more harm than good - for the sake of preventing unwanted litters and lineage preservation?

It's a difficult decision... but I think it really comes down to percentages and odds.....

Perhaps one altered pup in a litter of five may endure ill affects from spay / neuter surgery.... but it's far more likely that four out of the five, if left in tact - will reproduce again and again within their first 2 years....

Early spay / neuter programs, to me - serve the greater good overall.... JMO

06-01-2008, 11:13 AM	#5
Mom2BabyNatalie Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 2,133	This is a difficult topic... at least for me... There's so much controversy - - so many pro's and con's... From a "mommy" standpoint, where I would be considering the procedure for a family pet of my own... I think I would wait to spay / neuter... From a breeder standpoint.... how can you? In order to ASSURE that your pups are not going to "contribute to the already out of hand pet population problem" - end up in a deplorable puppy mill environment - and for the protection of your own lines - - it's really a "necessary evil" to spay / neuter your pups before placement. There are far too many out there who don't give 2 cents about a "spay / neuter contract" and even with strict stipulations and thorough research of new parents - it won't always be honored... and in all honesty, we really have no way to FORCE someone to honor the contract once the pup has left our hands. (sure, you can take the puppy back... if you can FIND the owners who now have your baby and have defaulted on their contract... and even then, by the time you get through the court system to reclaim your puppy - he/she has already produced 4 new litters!!) So in an ideal situation.... sure, the pups would be placed on a spay / neuter contract.... held very closely to their owners to avoid "accidental breedings" - while in wait of the "appropriate age" of which that contract should be fullfilled.... and every new pet owner everywhere, would be responsible enough to play their part... Or.... breeders simply would not place their puppies until they are a year old or more... (beyond puberty) at which time they could safely be altered and everyone is happy... (except the breeder who has to make allowances to raise each and every one of their pups for over a year - - and the pups who fail to thrive because they have been inadequately socialized or have failed to bond with a family of their own while waiting to "age" - - and the new families who missed out on the entire "baby stage" of their new puppy because they were in a "holding tank" phase of development before they could be altered and then released to live their lives). Neither scenario is likely to occur... Which leaves us spaying and neutering our babies at 12 - 14 weeks of age BEFORE placing them in homes.... But are we causing them more harm than good - for the sake of preventing unwanted litters and lineage preservation? It's a difficult decision... but I think it really comes down to percentages and odds..... Perhaps one altered pup in a litter of five may endure ill affects from spay / neuter surgery.... but it's far more likely that four out of the five, if left in tact - will reproduce again and again within their first 2 years.... Early spay / neuter programs, to me - serve the greater good overall.... JMO __________________ Libby Gracie Mia & "Baby Emma" ~ My precious Natalie Kaye, you will ALWAYS be in my heart ~ I LOVE YOU!!! Last edited by Mom2BabyNatalie; 06-01-2008 at 11:16 AM.