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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 417
Location: Fort Polk Louisiana | Im bored today. Thought Id put some questions out there. This may be long so here goes... I have a 10 month old Blue Heeler. Not registered. Blue momma and Red daddy. She turned out Blue. Really well natured parents and she is well natured to but an alpha personality dog. She pushes around all other animals as if she "RULES" them including when I took her to Texas and she did this to my mom's dog who is much older then her in my mom's house. Really good with kids and other animals.(doesn't try to fight just plays ALL the time but can get a little rough). Cons, she's a digger and a bit spastic still (puppy in her) and timid...everything freaks her out from strangers to the vaccum etc.(to the point of trembling) I had thought about breeding her once she gets older but to be honest the only experience I have with dog breeding is my aunt who raised a couple litters of daschunds. She is in her first heat cycle and boy, what a mess. She's really not bleeding all over the place but rather acting like a complete b*tch. Being overally protective of the house. She's sitting in her crate right now low growling (a grumble sound) at people in the building talking outside our door(we live on an Army post in an 8-plex currently), not wanting to walk on the leash (which we have issues with anyways but much worse), pushing my 2yo around...litterally pushing him with her body...trying to steal food off of our plates and things she did not do prior. She also peed in her crate last night which she NEVER does. She's been house(crate trained) broken since she was little bitty. We crate her at night and while we are gone because we dont want things torn up since she is still a puppy and chews on things. Now Im thinking of just getting her fixed. The local vets want over $100. But once fixed I know I cant put everything back and I sure would like to get at least one litter of pups. When we move we will have her a back yard and room to run and play all she wants which I hope will get more of that puppy out of her w/ more exercise and I also want to get her into some obediance training once we move (no one offers it up here in our area). Im just torn of what to do. |
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 Board Detective
Posts: 3885
   
Location: Millen Ga | In all honesty I'd spay her. She doesn't sound like she has the kind of temperament that I would want to possibly pass on to puppies. Yes shes good with your child and such, but that type aggression towards other dogs would worry me, and especially her sitting there in her crate just growling... if nothing else she sounds miserable right now, and spaying her would allieviate her "PMS" symptoms for good. JMO.... good luck no matter what you decide to do! |
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 Nosey!
Posts: 6621
Location: Oregon | I've bred 3 heeler bitches .... one was worthles but a good momma and her pups were awesome .... the other was a bad mom and her pups were awesome and my baby girl accidentaly was bred and her pups were awesome (she's spayed now)!! they were all bred by the same male. She sounds like she is guarding you by growling right now ?? I think it's funny??? I love the heelers though! why don't you wait to spay her ... I would make a thousand dollars a litter!! I would sell them for 100 bucks a piece and had repeat customers cuz they were such good dogs! Mine aren't as hard headed as most though.but if you want to spay her sometimes they hace those spay and neuter your pet for free deals on saturdays .... (sponsored by a vet clinic or feed store) we do down here anyways JMO |
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 Yard Ornament Collector
Location: BFE, Texas | I would vote spay too, if she were mine. You'd enjoy her much more, never have to mess with keeping her up for 3 weeks 2 times a year, would'nt have to worry about finding good homes for the pups, who will be a handful to get to that age. There are so many Heelers (and other breeds) out there needing homes, why not just buy or adopt another one when your ready. I had mine spayed after letting her go thru her first heat and am so glad I did. In fact, have had all my girls spayed. Not just cause I was tired of breeding dogs and wanted to enjoy them as companions, but these yahoos around here won't keep their boy dogs on their own property. |
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Nosey!
Posts: 6621
Location: Oregon | Originally written by Tx3turns on 2004-03-26 2:37 PM
I would vote spay too, if she were mine. You'd enjoy her much more, never have to mess with keeping her up for 3 weeks 2 times a year, would'nt have to worry about finding good homes for the pups, who will be a handful to get to that age. There are so many Heelers (and other breeds) out there needing homes, why not just buy or adopt another one when your ready. I had mine spayed after letting her go thru her first heat and am so glad I did. In fact, have had all my girls spayed. Not just cause I was tired of breeding dogs and wanted to enjoy them as companions, but these yahoos around here won't keep their boy dogs on their own property. yeah ..... good point
Edited by dollbaby 2004-03-26 2:41 PM
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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | The sooner you spay your dog, the better it is for her health. Actually, if you can spay them before their first heat cylcle, the risk of mammary tumors decreases greatly. Contrary to old wives tales, having a litter of pups will not settle a hyper dog down, and you don't need to let them whelp once before you spay them. Like horses, IMO it takes an exceptional dog to breed. There are so many unwanted pets out there, AND puppies are a PITA! |
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boon
Posts: 4
Location: Dayton, Texas | If it were me, I'd spay her. Your best bet to reduce the cost... is go to your local SPCA or humane society and find out if they offer a low-cost spay or neuter clinic. Most larger SPCA's do. I know at the Houston Humane Society it is $35 to spay or neuter ANY dog (I think it's $50 if they are bred at the time)... but that's ALOT cheaper than at the vet. That also normally includes an update on the rabies vacine and pain medications that the dog will need. If you are considering breeding her... what are your reasons??? You really need to look at why you want to breed her. Is it to raise a puppy to keep??? Is it to breed QUALITY dogs??? Is is to just give her that motherly instinct and let her experiance motherhood??? Here's a bit of advice. Breeding a dog usually causes them to become MORE aggressive and it's only a wive's tail that they should experaice mother hood to be a good pet. If the dog isn't registered then you aren't producing QUALITY... you are just adding to the pet population (and most people are going to seek out a registered animal if they are going to pay for an animal). It sounds that the traits that she has are also NOT what you should pass on to another generation. ALSO the medical aspect. A dog that has been bred and nursed puppies are at a MUCH GREATER risk of developing uterine, and mamary cancer. I'm not sure what the percentage is (it's been a while since I 've been out of college... ) but I know it's high. It's actually BEST to spay and neuter BEFORE the dog has had her 1st heat, or reached sexual maturity... because just that increases the risks of developing cancer. Your best bet with this dog would be to spay her, look for a good obediance trainer (many pet stores and even vet clinics offer classes.... PetsMart does for sure if you have one nearby and they are fairly inexpensive). Good luck with her. |
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Grammar Expert
| Not to upset anyone, but with the amount of dogs out there already being abused and dumped, please spay her. We just had ANOTHER dog dumped on us last week. For some reason people think that if you live out of town you must want their dogs. Just not true. I ended up taking him to a Springer Spaniel rescue woman. He was a nice dog too, purebred and someone paid good money for him, then one day, just doesn't want to deal with it anymore and they dump them, shoot them, take them to the pound. I have five dogs and only one is not fixed, my puppy who is a mini dachshund. I "may" breed her down the road, but it won't be to make money, it will be to further her personality into more dogs that will better the breed. I will NOT breed her though without at least three actual dog deposits as people will "say" they want one and then renig on the deal. Anyway, just my 2 cents, six of my animals were "rescues" so I have a stronger opinion than most. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 813
Location: arkansas | as a sucker for dropped dogs (i have four and have talked my sister into 2 as well-all female and spayed), please please go visit the humane society before you think about having a litter of pups out of your girl. i love puppies, and the thought of having them around all the time to play with (if i could put them away when they wear me out)...but there are so many dogs out there that need homes desparately, i couldn't possibly think of bringing more into the world. a number of very good points were made on this thread, please take all of them into consideration as well as the possibility that you could end up with 4 or 5 unregistered puppies nobody wants. are you prepared to keep that many, or could you bear to see them go to the humane society, or worse? |
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 Last Comedian Standing 
Posts: 10919
Location: South Texas | What no papers and you want to breed her......Oh I am sorry, I slipped and thought I was on the other board.....J/k I don't care if she is reg or not. Raising puppies and hauling female dogs in heat can be a real pain in the a$$$$$...Just my opinion and all those $$$ signs don't add up to cash...lol |
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 PBR Queen
Posts: 7763
Location: Sams Valley,OR | I too would also spay her. I bred Border collies for awhile, and just had my female Spayed. It is entails a lot more than what people think. I just did not have the time anymore or felt like I had the proper facilities to raise puppies. If you are still thinking about breeding your heeler, you have a little while to wait they are not fully mature to breed until the age of three. So you will have about two more years of 3 week heat cycles 2 times a year. Spaying also cuts down a lot of health problems by half such as mamorry cancer, and uteran cancer. Her personality sounds like something I would be a little leary of passing on though. This is JMO. Good luck with her and let us know what you decide. |
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  "Mom"
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 Expert
Posts: 1807
Location: in texas now! | I too am for spaying her!!! Dogs seem like they are calmer when they get fixed. I worked for animal control for 7 or 8 years and there are a lot of dogs out there with loving owners wanting another one just like it. She is still young , you should have many years with her. If she is fixed you won't have to worry about the boys coming to visit when you do get your house and puppies all over the place tearing things up. I am with the other poster who said go to the humane society or shelter and look at all the dogs there needing homes. It is a hard thing to swallow that even though people love their animals we were euthanizing up to 90 dogs and cats a week -Major eye opener for me! I sure am not wanting to upset anyone just what I have seen!! |
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| Originally written by smiley on 2004-03-29 5:38 PM Not to upset anyone, but with the amount of dogs out there already being abused and dumped, please spay her. I COULD NOT AGREE MORE. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ON THIS SUBJECT. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE SPAY HER!!!! IF YOU'RE IN DOUBT, PLEASE PAY A VISIT TO YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER AND SEE ALL THE HOMELESS, SCARED, SAD LOOKING ANIMALS THAT HAVE TO SPEND THEIR LAST DAYS IN A 4X6 CAGE, SURROUNDED BY OTHER BARKING DOGS. IT IS A MOST PITIFUL SIGHT. IT BREAKS MY HEART TO GO THERE. AND WHAT'S EVEN MORE SAD IS THESE SO CALLED "ANIMAL RESCUE" OPERATIONS THAT KEEP UNADOPTABLE DOGS IN CAGES FOR YEARS AND YEARS INSTEAD OF JUST PUTTING THEM TO SLEEP AND OUT OF THEIR MISERY.............BUT THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT THREAD..... LIKE BOB BARKER SAYS.............."HELP CONTROL THE PET POPULATION. HAVE YOUR PET SPAYED OR NEUTERED." |
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boon
Posts: 1
Location: Central , Oregon | I signed on just to reply to your question on breeding your Heeler Bitch. It is very rewarding to raise well bred pups. I have raised registered dogs for thirty years. HOWEVER.You should be responsible for EVERY pup that you whelp. If that dog needs a home when it is ten years old. You are responsible for finding that dog a home. I have raise cross bred working dogs that are not papered. I love the heeler breed crossed on a softer working breed. Bottom line is there are too many breeders selling good heelers. I love a spade female. They are so much easier to live with. My traveling companions, other than my husband, are both spade females. One of them is a Red Heeler that some one abandoned. She was spade at six mos. and has never known a bad day. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 600
Location: Tennessee | Spay your Dog, you will enjoy her soooo!!!!! much more. I have raised Corgis for years and am getting my females spayed. We enjoy them so much more, don't have to leave somebody at home because they are in heat, no mess. Believe me it's great. Another note, Breeding dogs is not a money making proposition!!! By the time you figure in the expense of buying the male and female ( or stud fee),researching bloodlines/crosses, caring for the dogs,vet bills etc. If all this is done as should be, then its like horses, if you barely break even you've done great. Also have to remember, you are responsible for every puppy you sell, no matter how old it is. Last Sat I had to go get a puppy. Nothing wrong with him , the lady who bought him just decided she didn't have time for a puppy. He is 4 months old and NOT housebroke, has a few issue from being left alone too much. 14 - 16 hours a day. Anyway I drove 60 miles and picked him up, such a sweety, really wanted to just keep him. Luckily he went to a great home last night. The people who had his great grandfather took him, he looks just like him, so it was just meant to be. My only experience in having to relocate a dog was easy, but that is not always the case. This lady wanted the puppy to have a good home, didn't want her money back etc, so I gave the puppy away. I know from other breeders that this is not usually the case, some buyers want their money back etc, and the dog is usually the one who suffers. There are just tooo many unwanted animals in this world and as a breeder you must take the responsibility for the ones you bring into it. Sorry for the long post, but please think this thru long and hard. I highly reccomend spaying and neutering dogs, esp. the ones you are traveling with. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 417
Location: Fort Polk Louisiana | I am going to go ahead and get her spayed. Reason I was wanting to breed is that she comes from a strong line of working dogs. As she is. She tries to 'herd' my son and any other animal she can. She is a true heeler and will get your heels if not careful. She doesn't bite but to a 2yo its annoying when you cant get her to stop so he comences to screaming which makes her think he is playing when he's not. She really isn't nasty but as any dog she will bark if someone comes to the door and since we live in a place where there are 4 doors within 10 ft of my door this tends to get out of hand with barking...when I tell her no barking she does that low growl grumble and whine because I dont want her barking (she's very loud). She still is a puppy and at this point doesn't have alot of room to run since we live upstairs with no yard. Army post doesn't really give you opitions when you move on post. Take it or leave it and have no where to live. When we move we hope to rent a place off post with a big yard for her and our goal is to buy our own place within the next year or so with land for the horses and some other animals. I also need to get her a companion but need something that isnt going to put up with her pushyness. She isn't aggressive mean wise but overly playful. She mauls the cat doesn't bite but she is so rough she just doesn't know when to give it up. Poor cat is covered in slobber and just lays there and lets her do it though. She is timid and if I go after her for doing something bad of course she runs from me. Any strangers that come IN our house she will bark and run from...Anything loud scares her. Outside though she is a bad jumping upper. She has no problem with strangers outside and that is where the leash comes into play. I have to use a choker chain on her and it still has little effect (yes I know how to use it correctly) when she sees someone or another dog. I have to yank and yank and she is doing a flying lunge trying to 'play' with them even if they are 100ft away.(again I hope this is just the puppy in her and hope that obediance training with 'cure' this. |
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 Color My World
Posts: 4940
Location: My perfect world bubble | You made the right decison... I have a Corgi that is about at the age where I need to get her spayed... I want her fixed before she has her first heat cycle. I have to be honest, I had to think about breeding her because she is such a neat little dog... but there are already too many dogs out there, and I don't have the time or space to deal with a litter of puppies. I really think you'll be happy with your decision. Remember, if you decided you want another dog there are MANY out there looking for homes. |
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