Spaying before the first heat is the best thing to do. That way the hormones don't do their thing and the dog stays much healthier and doesn't tend to gain weight either. Unless you intend to breed a dog -- which requires much serious consideration -- spaying is the nicest, healthiest thing you can do for your little female. Breast cancer is more prevalent in unspayed dogs. One of my unspayed setters died of it, since I didn't spay her as a youngster. And the heats are are REAL NUISANCE to go through, let me tell ya. "Letting her have one litter before spaying her" is an old wives tale that is not in the best health interests of the dog. |