Should I get my dog spayed?

Hey, I got Tillie from a rescue kennels after I found her but her owner didn't want her back, so I adopted her, I've only had her for 10 days, the thing is when I adopted Tillie, she was already booked in with the vet via the kennels to be spayed, her appointment is on the 4th April, I'm not sure if its the right thing to do? she is roughly 12 months old. Do I go ahead and get her spayed or do I not, I've never had a bitch before so not quite sure about it?

This is all down to personal choice, there are pros and cons with having it done. Rocky came from a rescue centre already neutered when he was 9 months old, we think this have been a bit too young as he is now nervous around some dogs which this may have contributed to.

Do you know if Tillie has had a season yet ? If yes then I would go ahead with it, but this would be my choice. Many owners would wait until the dog is fully grown at about 2-3 years old before getting them spayed.

Like Kathy says, it is personal choice and there are pro's and cons on both sides. If it were me and the rescue centre allow it I would wait until she's had a season with you. Is your other dog neautured?

My dog was already 'done' too, also from the rescue. He was probably about a year old. So he would have been slightly older than Kathy's Rocky. Although he was older, he still is 'not perfect', shall we say, around other dogs. I would be surprised if his occasional DA is due to being neutered though - surely other factors, like how he was treated and socialised as a pup, are more relevant?

For a bitch, I agree that this is a more difficult decision. A bigger operation too. Personally (this is not a 'right' answer - just an opinion on what I would do), for the health of my dog, I would prefer for her to be fully mature and to have had a season or two. However,  that would mean watching her like a hawk and ensuring that no entire male can have contact with her when she's on heat. Perhaps part of the answer depends on whether you think you could do that. It would need co-operation from everyone who looks after her - all family members not to leave gates open, to react swiftly if a situation develops. Also, delivery people - their ability to close gates is practically non-existent. Their unreliability should be assumed.

Another thing to consider is that you've not had Tillie for very long and she maybe could do with settling in and understanding her new home and relationships before undergoing what would be a traumatic experience at the vets. Personal choice again, but in your shoes, I would have her spayed, yes, but may consider rescheduling for later.

There is information elsewhere on this forum about this subject: staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12762-long-term-health-risks-and-benefits-associated-with-spay-neuter-in-dogs?highlight=neuter

For a bitch there are far more positives to being done than a male. Waiting for at least two seasons seems to be the consensus but I wanted to wait until laska had her 3rd season. Except...shes refusing to have it little sod. 3 months overdue so im sure she knows whats gonna happen next.

Thank you for the feed back, I phoned the vets yesterday and cancelled Tillie's appointment, they were really nice about it, I'm sure if I ever do decide in the future to have her spayed, it will be because I'm 100% certain I really want it done.

Do read the link above that yeabut posted.
My last wonderful staff was spayed at around 8 months.
She suffered uti's for the rest of her life.
I will think very carefully about having Toot's spayed. If I do go ahead it won't be until she's over 2.

I`m unsure with Lula but do worry about her getting preg by accident. I don`t thing i will get her done after her first season it just seems too young.

Little surprised the rescue center would allow this, that is part of rescuing and why there are so many homes needed, housing unwanted dogs due to the fact of back yard breeders/accidental litters and thick owners. I am not by any means saying you would but its part of the contract when you re-home Xx

Just booked Katy in for spaying she's had 2 seasons now mainly because after her 1st season she had a phantom pregnancy which was horrible to watch her go through. Just hoping she doesn't have another 1 before may 8th