Hunny Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 We are getting a labrador puppy soon, and I'm so excited....but everyone is saying we should have a litter out of her before we sterilize her, as it will 'settle her down'. I don't believe in this and think it's a bit of an old wives tale but so many others think it, I am quite amazed. My beautiful old staffy that we lost recently was an extremely well behaved dog, she went through dog school and and everyone loved her....she didn't have puppies. Any thoughts on this please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Old wives tale. Dogs and cats definitely don't NEED to have a litter for any reason! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paptacular! Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Completely unnecessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Definately not required at all. If every bitch had a litter before desexing we would have puppies up to our ears. Age and training will settle your Lab down not a litter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxx'sBuddy Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 I think that if bitches have a litter it may add a risk to desexing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 My male lab is very quiet and settled and he never had puppies lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 I think that if bitches have a litter it may add a risk to desexing proof please and to the original poster no your bitch does not need a litter to settle her down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxx'sBuddy Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 I think that if bitches have a litter it may add a risk to desexing proof please and to the original poster no your bitch does not need a litter to settle her down my vet told me that there is an increased risk...proof enough? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunny Posted March 26, 2011 Author Share Posted March 26, 2011 Thank you all for your replies.....I thought it was all a bit silly but you can't tell some people. I thought the same thing, imagine if every female dog had a litter...there would be dogs all over the place!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 In addition to any other consideration - if a bitch is so scatty and silly that training can't make her a suitable dog to be a pet then why on earth would you want to breed her and probably create more dogs like her? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 My male lab is very quiet and settled and he never had puppies lol My 11 month old female is well behaved and settled and she has never had a litter and was desexed quite early. It may be beneficial in a large breed dog like the lab, to let your pup have one season (not litter!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grace Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 I have found my bitches more settled after they have had their first season I guess its a maturity thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Definately not required at all.If every bitch had a litter before desexing we would have puppies up to our ears. Age and training will settle your Lab down not a litter. Agree. The "they need to have a litter to settle them down" myth does my head in. How does that work? Dogs are not human, they don't suddenly wake up one morning and think "Oh I'm a mother now, I must settle down and take responsibilty". Why would they? A poorly trained or immature dog is just that. Simple. To the OP, tell your friends to have a read of this; http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/breeding/breeder2.html and this; http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...;hl=temperature Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory the Doted One Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 I have found my bitches more settled after they have had their first season I guess its a maturity thing. I wonder though...is it the season? Or is the fact that they are a more mature dog by the time they have the season? Are they scatty heads prior to that first season because the hormone levels are changing and thus after a season the hormones all start to settle back down and then so does the dog? For myself, I get a bit frustrated with myself that I only seem 'normal' and 'well adjusted' about one week in every 4. I love that one week post period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 My old girl was desexed when she was 6 months, & pretty much setted done by 12 months old after she had got over the puppy stage...so nope she did not have to have a litter to settle down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 My male lab is very quiet and settled and he never had puppies lol My 11 month old female is well behaved and settled and she has never had a litter and was desexed quite early. It may be beneficial in a large breed dog like the lab, to let your pup have one season (not litter!). Sorry just to clarify- the benefits of allowing a large breed dog have a season relate to bone and strucutre development not behaviour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Depends on breed, but personally I think entire bitches are more likely to have mood swings. My Dobe bitch could be a complete and utter bitch at certain time of her cycle. She also had phantoms every season, tried to treat her teddies like babies and feed them and would head hunt any dog that came within cooee of her pretend litter. Once desexed she was the same easy going girl all the time. I know what I would prefer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 I have an entire 3 year old bitch who is getting desexed later this year. She's never had a litter, and I can't imagine I'd want her any more settled down than she is or she'd be comatose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snout Girl Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 my girl was psycho before desexing, and is still psycho after desexing as for puppies- couldnt think of anything i would want to cope with less! imagine a half dozen of the little buggers! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisart Dobes Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 I think that if bitches have a litter it may add a risk to desexing proof please and to the original poster no your bitch does not need a litter to settle her down my vet told me that there is an increased risk...proof enough? We desexed our 8yr old recently - she has had two litters - no issue, no complications & no increased risk . . . but not a bad thing for a vet to be telling people, the less byb litters there are the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now