There are many reasons for spaying or neutering your dog. A very important consideration is the overpopulation of dogs, a new litter of pups that may never find homes. Thousands of mixed and pure breed dogs are put to sleep every year because there will never be enough responsible owners for all of them.

In the female dog, heat(estrus) is very messy and inconvenient during the time they last. There is a normal bleeding present in the first part of the heat that will attract every intact male dog in the neighborhood. As part of the male normal sexual behavior they will "mark" (urinate on your tires or bushes close to the female in heat). This can be a real nuisance. It is very important to keep the female in heat confined during this time to avoid unwanted pregnancies. A female can have puppies of different fathers in the same litter.

Female dogs reach reproductive stage anywhere from 6 months to a year of age. They will have a heat twice each year (approximately every 6 months) that can last up to 3 weeks.

If you plan to breed your female it is better to wait until her third or fourth heat, so she is totally developed , de-wormed and with a solid immunity against diseases (all vaccinations up to date). She has to be physically ready to support a pregnancy and lactancy. Otherwise, the recommendation is spaying.

It is common in bitches to see a clinical condition called false pregnancy or pseudo-pregnancy. It is characterized by not only physical changes in the mammary glands with the presence of milk, but also behavioral changes like "mothering" inanimate objects and refusing to eat. This condition is due to an abnormal hormonal concentration and not to a pregnancy, but always it is better to have the pet checked by a veterinarian. This condition resolves itself spontaneously in 1 to 3 weeks. Spaying prevents recurrence of false pregnancies.

Acute uterine infections sometimes occur after giving birth. This condition called pyometra is characterized by fever, lethargy and lack of appetite. A purulent and foul-smelling vaginal discharge is usually found and can be life threatening if not treated in time. It requires surgical emergency treatment (spaying).

Spaying is the removal of the uterus and the ovaries of the female dog, it is an abdominal surgery that takes a little extra care and a few more stitches than neutering the male. Your female dog will be free of heat and unable to have puppies. Older spayed female dogs have less chances of getting ovarian cancer or mammary tumors.

The spaying surgery can be performed anytime after they reach 6 or 7 months. It is a myth that a dog should be allowed to have one litter first. They can go home the same day of the surgery, and they will have to be rechecked after 10 days. At that time the stitches will be removed.