| Spaying a female dog or neutering a male is | | | | between heats varies, with anything from every |
| another way to make sure they lead long and | | | | six months to a year being normal. There is |
| healthy lives. Females spayed at a young age | | | | absolutely no benefit to a female having a first |
| have almost no risk of developing mammary | | | | season before being spayed, not in letting her |
| tumors or reproductive problems. | | | | have a litter. |
| The greatest advantage of spaying for females | | | | The decision to breed any dog should never be |
| or neutering for males your dog is that you are | | | | taken lightly. The obvious considerations are |
| guaranteed that your dog will not produce puppies. | | | | whether he or she is a good physical specimen of |
| There are too many puppies already available for | | | | the breed and has a sound temperament. There |
| too few homes. There are other advantages as | | | | are several genetic problems that are common to |
| well. | | | | Goldens, such as hip dyplasia, cataracts, subaortic |
| Advantages of Spaying | | | | stenosis (SAS), von Willebrands disease (VWD) |
| - No messy heats | | | | and hypothyroidism. |
| - No suitors howling at your window or waiting in | | | | Responsible breeders screen for these prior to |
| your yard | | | | making breeding decisions. Finding suitable homes |
| - Prevents pyometra or disease of the uterus | | | | for puppies is another serious consideration. Due |
| and decrease the incidence of breast cancer | | | | to their popularity, many people are attracted to |
| Advantages of Neutering | | | | Goldens and seek puppies without realizing the |
| - Decreases fights, but does not affect the dog's | | | | drawbacks of the breed. |
| personality | | | | Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment to that |
| - Decreases roaming | | | | animal. There are so many unwanted dogs and |
| - Decreased incidences or urogenital diseases. | | | | yes, even unwanted Goldens, that people must |
| Neutering a male is an excellent solution to dog | | | | be absolutely sure that they are not just adding |
| aggression and also removes the chances of | | | | to the pet over population problem. |
| testicular cancer. Female Goldens usually | | | | When breeding a litter of puppies, it is more likely |
| experience their first heat cycle somewhere | | | | that you will lose more than you will make, when |
| between 6 months and 1 year of age. | | | | time, effort, equipment and veterinary costs are |
| Unless spayed they will continue to come into | | | | factored in. |
| heat on a regular cycle. The length of time | | | | |