DRAMIŃSKI - Heat dog

Having a litter is not healthier than being spayed before a first heat. First, a dog should not be bred her first cycle – she is too immature mentally and often physically. Make the analogy of a teenager having a child at fifteen – is she ready? A dog should be bred at the earliest 18 months of age. Hips cannot be certified (OFA – Orthopedic Foundation of America) if she is younger than 24 months and many recommend waiting until hips can be certified before breeding.

You want her to be physically and mentally mature before breeding. In addition, there are complications that can arise during pregnancy and delivery and even post-partum. These complications can be life threatening. A litter of puppies is stressing to her entire system. Spaying eliminates this.

Having a litter is more dangerous than spaying in the long run. Moreover, the longer a female goes unspayed, the greater chance of her developing other health problems. A female should be spayed before her first cycle ideally – though spaying at any age has more benefits than not spaying.