Hey everyone,
Long time:)
Laika is almost 8 months old now and the BIG question is: Should i sterilize her or not? Some people say i shouldn't while others say i should... I'm lost...
Would love to hear your feedback!
Thanks a lot,
Sam
@sammm I think, first, you should evaluate yourself for level of knowledge and experience. It's important to understand many aspects of breeding (optimal genetic pairings, illnesses, weaknesses, prenatal care, whelping, etc.). So, consider a few things before you decide.
I would recommend delaying the decision, if:
I would recommend having your pup spayed/neutered, if:
I went with spayed. I did that because I recognized that I didn't currently know much of anything about breeding. But also because I recognized that I wasn't going to take the time to learn about breeding. I have enough hobbies as it is. I wanted, very specifically, a spayed female Basenji, for a pet. I researched the breed, and knew my girl would fit right into my lifestyle. So, I made my decision before I got my B. And it was the right one for me. Take the time to evaluate what breeding your pup would mean. Once it's done - you can't "take it back".
Have you spoken to her breeder?
@elbrant
You are SPOT-ON in your response! You have given all the pros and cons. I feel she should have her basenji spayed because of her uncertainty. Must always do what is best for the dog. 
There are actually two questions here. One is whether to spay. The other is when to spay.
Spaying before a first season seems likely to interfere with her physical development. I'd go so far as to say to wait for two.
At that point the decision is likely to be clearer.
Brat people. Remember, the Memphis pups. Their parents had pups on the first heat, aka 7 months old. I had one of the girls and she went into heat the day before surgery. The other girls in the liter went into heat right after her. I had her dad fixed 2 weeks before. Can you imagine if I had waited to fix dad? When to spay is a tricky question that should include a talk with your vet. Each vet may have their own policy as to the right time to spay.
At 8 months - NO WAY ! Allow her at least one season and to reach structural and hormonal maturity, Sammm. Someone on these forums recently posted a very thoughtful and well reasoned piece on spaying. I kept it and will email it to you if you like ?
@zande yes please:)
I'm old, and I've poured over the changing research since before the internet. The push for spay/neuter by vets and anyone, actually, bothers me. There is absolutely no hard and fast rule. (Though suggesting you should even consider not spaying so you can make money being a backyard breeder is really disturbing for responsible owners.) There are health pros and cons and the bottom line there are life-threatening dangers either way. As for age, mammary cancer is almost zero if you spay before the first heat, still greatly reduced before 2nd, and no difference if you let her have 2 heats. You can help by checking each nipple each month (8 on the 8 -- dogs generally have 8 nipples, so they started the idea based on that). Even found early, though, it can still be a death sentence. BUT there are also growth plate and other issues, even temperament, with early spaying (prior to a year or 2). No one but you gets to decide which way you want to go because it will be you holding her if the choice turns out to be bad for her. And you won't know unless it happens.
Some breeds (Samoyeds being one of them) have high rates of diabetes in females who aren't spayed prior to first heat.
There are non-health issues. Can you absolutely keep male dogs away from her when she is in heat? Do you live in a house with children or someone who cannot be trusted to keep her safe? Are you willing to deal with neighbors' howling male dogs (though there are sprays for where she pees as well as wipes to help keep the hormone smell from broadcasting her status) and roaming loose dogs visiting your yard?
Too many vets seem programmed to believe clients are idiots. They said yearly vaccines even though proven unnecessary because owners wouldn't get health checks otherwise. They push spay/neuter because we're too stupid to keep our dogs from mating. Talk to your vet, but make your own decision.
I admit that the older I am the less I believe in spay/neuter. But that's for my own situation and abilities.
Debra
@debradownsouth said in Should i Sterilize my Basenji?:
suggesting you should even consider not spaying so you can make money being a backyard breeder is really disturbing
That's not what I was suggesting (at all).
Honestly, Debra! I would love to see you stop, re-read, and make sure you understand the entire context (as opposed to a fragment) of a post before jumping to conclusions and agressively attacking your keyboard.
@elbrant
Your post... your words, no interpretation. Don't blame others for your writing.
"I would recommend delaying the decision, if:
This is your first Basenji.
You don't have experience with breeding (any type of dog).
You are considering breeding as a way to make money.
You are involved in any competitive events (showing, agility, lure coursing, etc.)."
Debra
@debradownsouth Apparently you mananged to overlook this part of the post:
@elbrant said in Should i Sterilize my Basenji?:
...first, you should evaluate yourself for level of knowledge and experience. It's important to understand many aspects of breeding (optimal genetic pairings, illnesses, weaknesses, prenatal care, whelping, etc.)....
NONE of that erases that breeding to make money is something you pointed out as a legit reason to wait. Please stop.
