We have a 14 month old Golden retriever bitch with a fantastic temperment etc.  We aren't planning on breeding from her and have considered getting her spayed (she's just going through her second season).  We were just concerned that this might change her temperment and wondered if anyone else who may have had their dog spayed could enlighten us as to what to expect?  We just want whats best for her but are torn over our decision!

Thanks for your help!

Don't worry! I've had several bitches spayed, and none of them have lost their delightful friendly temperaments. In fact, once they don't have the hormone surges which are akin to PMT in humans, their temperaments have been, if anything, even more stable.

Any abdominal surgery is invasive, but mine have been back on their feet and raring to go within a couple of days after the operation as if nothing had happened to them. The only problem is keeping them on a lead till the stitches are out - they get very bored!

Now that she is pretty much physically (and almost mentally adult) the only negative aspect is that you are likely to have to reduce her food and she is likely to be more food orientated.

Also her coat may become a bit woollier and less low maintenance, but not nearly so bad as in the Spaniel breeds.

Sorry I don't wish to hijack this thread, but while we're on the subject..........

I have a very dominant bitch that borders on aggressive some of the time, does anyone think that her aggressive tendencies could be improved by spaying, or would taking away the female hormones make things worse?

Dawn R.

>does anyone think that her aggressive tendencies could be improved by spaying, or would taking away the female hormones make things worse?

That's a tricky one. 'They' say that after spaying a bitch will have the personality that she has midway between seasons, but all of the time. Is your girl more, or less aggressive at that time in her cycle?

It is tricky, some remain the same, some become quiet and clingy and a few more aggressive. It no doubt depends if the dog is aggressive by nature of if it is hormone driven.

We to have golden retrievers,one was spayed at 15months and she is fine no different to before being spayed,maybe a little plumper.our other retriever has only just had her first season at 19months so happy for her to have another season then have her spayed. The reason for having them done is we lost our lovely golden last year with breast tumours and the vet told us in so many words that it could have been prevented possibly if she had been spayed.

Thanks very much everyone for your thoughts iTs much appreciated and just gives a bit of comfort that we will make the right decision for her (as she is our baby after all hehe!!).  I'm also aware of problems that can arise should we not get her spayed (womb infections etc.) so this does appear to be the safer option.

Thanks again!