Spaying or neutering your puppy offers several advantages, and there are valid social and health reasons for doing so. The surgery is performed under a general anesthetic, and pain medication is sent home for several days to minimize any discomfort that your dog may be feeling post surgery.

Female dogs -- Your female dog will have a heat cycle approximately once every 5-6 months.  The heat cycle involves approximately 2-3 weeks of vaginal bleeding. The female is very fertile during this period, and a litter is almost a certainty if she is mated. Once spayed, your dog will no longer have any heat cycles. A female in heat also means constant visits from the local pack of loose dogs, with all that it entails, messes on your property, howling, and fighting. We have even heard of a case where a male dog jumped through a plate glass window to reach a female in heat!!  The ovariohysterectomy or spay, is the surgical removal of the uterus and the ovaries. This procedure can be performed once your dog is at least 5 months of age, with no age limit thereafter. Cancer of the mammary glands is very uncommon in spayed female dogs, and uterine or ovarian cancer is obviously not even a possible threat. The danger of pyometra, an often fatal uterine infection, is also eliminated once your dog is spayed. By spaying your dog, you are also doing your part to help control the pet population.

Male dogs -- Intact males do tend to become more aggressive and they tend to wander off more when the ‘scent’ is in the wind. They are extremely attracted to a female in heat, and will begin to roam. This behavior increases the chances of him being injured or killed. The aggression will also increase their tendency to fight, especially with other male dogs. Castration or neutering is the surgical removal of the testes. This procedure can be performed at 4-5 months of age, with no age limit thereafter. By having your dog neutered, you will reduce his chances of prostatic diseases and tumors, and eliminate his risk for testicular tumors. Remember that one intact male can literally sire thousands of offspring.