Females :
There are several good reasons why bitches should be spayed (an operation to remove the womb and ovaries) :

• To stop unwanted pregnancies.

• To prevent the inconvenience of coming into season.

• To reduce the incidence of breast cancer.

• To prevent womb infections.

• To prevent false pregnancies.

Most vets are happy to carry out the operation at five months or age, although some prefer a bitch to have one season first. There is no truth in the old wives tale that it is best to allow a bitch to have atleast one litter - breeding is a major undertaking that should not be taken on by the inexperienced.

Although some spayed bitches will tend to burn up their food less quickly after the operation, obesity can easily be prevented by changing to reduced calorie diet at the first sign of any weight gain.

Males:
Opinions on castrating male dog differ. Some vets advise it as a routine, but I generally only recommend the operation if there is a specific reason, such as:

• An unsprayed bitch in the house.

• A dog that gets sexually frustrated.

• Excessive roaming.

• Certain type of aggression.

• One or both testicles retained in the abdomen rather than in the scrotum.

Again, the main post-operative consideration is to ensure that the dog does not put on excessive amount of weight.