Shi-Poo - Female - Should I get her fixed?

[Sunshinne83]

Good morning All,

I have an adorable shi-poo named Emma. She is the love of my life, when she is not terrorizing my cats, lol.

She was born the beginning of July so she is about 7 1/2 months. She has not gone into heat yet.

I have a few questions.

What age do they normally go into heat?
Should I get her fixed?
If I don't is there a lot of monthly evidence?

I hear different things. Some people say not to get her fixed, others say I should. I am not planning on breeding her.

Thanks for the help guys!

[Aqueous]

I think the average is around 6 months but some dogs could be earlier or later.

I say that if you're not going to breed her get her spayed. Spaying gets rid of the risk of ovarian cysts, uterine infections and cancer of the reproductive tract. Also if you get her spayed there's no chance of her accidentally getting pregnant.

[DogLover]

I got my girl fixed at 6 months of age, and my boy was fixed as well. The chance of her developing the diseases that Aqueous mentioned will greatly reduce when she's spayed. If you wait till her first heat, you'll have to wait another 3 weeks after her period in order to spay her (learned this from my vet). Although she's a small dog, she would still leave some "red fluid" when she's in heat. In my personal opinion, fixing my dogs will do them more goods.

[Sunshinne83]

Thanks for the help guy.

My vet told me she had a better chance of getting sick if she wasn't spayed but when I talked to two breeders they told me it was the other way around so I thought I better get more info.

[nern]

My aunts 8yr old (not spayed) miniature poodle was recently diagnosed with mammory cancer. Its heartbreaking and they had no idea that having her spayed could have prevented this. Definately have her spayed if you do not intend to breed her.

[doglover1234]

I deffinatly back the spaying. There are so many health problems you can avoid plus avoid having puppies accidently.