Once the cute female puppy you brought home is about six months, her cycles start as she comes into season. She can then mate about twice a year.
During each season, vaginal bleeding may last up to three weeks and you will be faced with hygiene issues if she is an indoor dog. Confining a dog to a small room or keeping an indoor dog outside for this period will be stressful for you and very confusing for the dog.
Desexing female dogs prevents unwanted puppies and will save you a lot of money.
The behaviour of the female also changes during this time as she programmed to find a mate. You may also find many undesexed male dogs calling and attempting to jump the fence or dig under it. They often succeed.
You will then be left with the job of seeking veterinary care for the pregnant female and then trying to find homes for between six to eight puppies, once they’ve reached the minimum rehomable age of eight weeks. It is also your responsibility to have all these pups desexed and vaccinated prior to rehoming. You will also have the hassle of advertising, answering the phone and weeding out unsuitable people. Not all of your puppies may find a home immediately or ever. What will you do when you have three extra adult dogs in your home, all requiring food and veterinary care?
Desexing a female prevents unwanted litters. Desexing also eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer and should prevent mammary cancer if the operation is performed before she first comes into season. It also removes the risk of uterine infection (Pyometra) which is life threatening and expensive to treat.
- A desexed female has the opportunity of living a very full, healthy life, free from serious reproductive diseases.
- Desexing does not interfere with the character of your dog and sensible feeding will prevent weight gain.
- Councils offer cheap rates for desexed dogs.
Don’t fall into the trap of humanising your dogs to the point of thinking they will miss reproducing. Companion dogs bond with people; you are their family!
The Myth
‘I can’t de-sex my bitch until she’s had her first litter, otherwise she won’t feel complete.’
The Reality
This myth doesn’t seem to take into consideration how the bitch might feel when her puppies have been killed because there were no homes for them. This is the reality of allowing your female dog to reproduce without thought for the welfare of her puppies. If we can overcome this myth, dog pounds across Australia might contain only lost dogs, rather than unwanted ones.
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