[TxDog]

About what age does a female dog begin to go into heat?

I've never had a female dog before. How long does it last, does it happen every month, and will it be fairly messy?

[luv4gsds]

Female dogs normally go into heat right around six months or later and the heat last for about three weeks or so. Regular cycles usually every six to eight months. And yes it is messy.

[Marty]

http://www.talktothevet.com/ARTICLES/DOGS/Pdogsheatcycle.HTM

http://www.petbitsforyou.com/heat_cycle.html

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/breedingheat.htm

[TxDog]

If I don't want to breed my bitch is there any reasons NOT to get her fixed? Health or behavoir problems from the surgery?

[luv4gsds]

I far as I know there is no health or behavoir problems from the surgery. Spaying helps a lot with health wise, it help out with mammary tumors (breast cancer), uterine or ovarian cancer, false pregnancy and so on. You don't have to worry about heat cycles anymore. And sometimes it helps out with temperament too.

[Marty]

Originally Posted by TxDog

If I don't want to breed my bitch is there any reasons NOT to get her fixed? Health or behavoir problems from the surgery?

Heres some very good info on the subject

http://www.sniksnak.com/benefits.html

http://www.phsspca.org/SNiP/health.htm

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/why_you_should_spay_or_neuter_your_pet.html

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/spayneut.html

[TxDog]

Originally Posted by luv4gsds

I far as I know there is no health or behavoir problems from the surgery. Spaying helps a lot with health wise, it help out with mammary tumors (breast cancer), uterine or ovarian cancer, false pregnancy and so on. You don't have to worry about heat cycles anymore. And sometimes it helps out with temperament too.

Anyone had the surgery change their dogs temperament a lot in a negative way?

[Nixx]

.....deleted

[DiggityDogs]

In general I think the removal of homones tends to make them a little less grouchy. I've known some females that were MAJORLY pissy when they were in season, primarily with the other dogs. Every dog is a little different, but I prefer not to deal with it.

[BelovedJuggernaut]

In my experience with females, I have run into some that really benefit from being fixed and some that don't.

I had a female that I had spayed at an early age, but her personality didn't develope like my other females. She styaed a pup a little longer and was a bit my active.

The females that I have not spayed right away have mellowed out and matured a little better. My female now wont be spayed until she hits 2 1/2, simply because her emotional level needs to catch up with her first.

I think it may have something to do with the breed, but most other GSD owners and breeders notice a similar reaction. Some don't.

Personally, if you don't plan on breeding her and don't mind a little extra time to mature mentally, then I say SPAY. It is safer health wise and an all around good idea!!