Keeping entire dogs and bitches in the same house?

As a generalisation, I think there's definitely a difference in how people with purely pet dogs and those who work or show their dogs view the topic.
It's just not really the done thing to neuter adult dogs, even if they're not actively being bred from, unless there's a health issue and one just puts in a little more effort to make sure everything works around the house. Even when I didn't have a female, I don't recognise a lot of the problems people say are associated with entire males, because I don't allow it/they're taught the right thing from early on/I train them not to.
Spaying is a little more common. I don't intend to breed my female but she won't be spayed until she's about 7 or 8.

There's an argument that says it's a bit unfair to carry out surgery on a dog to make life more convenient, but I suppose people think that about crates, too!!
 
We have one scent marker if bitches are in season, he wears a belly band in house. All of mine have been used at stud who are entire except for the GSD who is actually the least sex driven. The ones used at stud are generally better in that they are only excited for about 48h - they know the difference between in season and in season and ready to be covered.
 
CorvusCorax said:
There's an argument that says it's a bit unfair to carry out surgery on a dog to make life more convenient, but I suppose people think that about crates, too!!
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I agree with this more as I get older. And Scout would look weird without his balls! 😆.
All my bitches are spayed, and yes that’s entirely for my convenience. Any I have in the future will also likely be, I never intend to breed and the shooting season is short and I’m tight on dog numbers anyway.
 
Clodagh said:
I agree with this more as I get older. And Scout would look weird without his balls! 😆.
All my bitches are spayed, and yes that’s entirely for my convenience. Any I have in the future will also likely be, I never intend to breed and the shooting season is short and I’m tight on dog numbers anyway.
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We’re the same, we aren’t able to breed due to work commitments so our bitches are spayed at the appropriate age- it impacts less on T’s shooting season too so it’s a win-win.
 
I never had issues keeping entire males and females when I was breeding/showing. I found the stud dogs were pretty sensible and only bothered for 2 or 3 days maximum. We did have one oops which was when our very clever dog, who had been kept away from female for 24 days, sniffed her on reintroduction and showed no interest, neither did she, then 2 minutes later when I turned my back they were mated and tied ! As the breeding was good on paper we did nothing and had a superb litter, so much so we repeated in a couple of years later. The only s*x pest male I have had is the nearly 14 year old Lancashire heeler, he has been castrated more than 12 years but still always knows when the girls are coming in season before they are showing signs, and makes very determined efforts to mate whatever bit he can reach.
 
Something to look forward to.

My whippet is entire. I love his little pink balls 😍

I intend on getting a female Bedlington at some point in the future, so there will be a season or two that we have to get through before a spay.

That said, if he copes well then I may not bother spaying. No crystal ball.
 
I was surprised how interested my castrated male was in my female when she had her first season. I expected some interest but not for both of them to lose their virginity. Luckily both are fine and no chance of puppies. Now I know to keep a closer eye/separate them for next time. Funnily enough, Monster wasn't interested enough to get out of bed for a bit of action so they could still both sleep in my bedroom, one on either side of my bed. I hadn't thought of through the bars conception, so thanks for the heads up if I ever have an entire male and female at the same time.
 
We see a fair few unwanted pregnancies and do a fair few Alizin injections at our small animal vets - indeed our own previous JRT was taken on from a client who wanted to rehome him after he impregnated his sister (I know... 👀 ).
 
It definitely seems to be a case of what you (generally) will allow and of thinking ahead - there's no way I would have ever allowed my in season female to be in direct contact with my entire males. I have a tiny rented house but when I had three dogs it was entirely possible to airlock them so there was no direct contact. The motivator being that I was not in a position to have a litter and that's a very strong motivator. Neither have I allowed marking in the house and they are clean in the runs, because it is a rented house and I do not need to get evicted, major motivator there. Neither would I allow constant annoying behaviour in any context, because I have neighbours, again, not wanting noise complaints is a very strong motivator.
Having said all of that my males did not get on so they had no contact anyway, and I believe that all dogs should have one on one time with me, so it was not a massive ordeal for them to be separated. IMO dogs should be set up to cope with being left alone/away from you/away from their mates, so that if it *has* to happen, it won't be too stressful for them. By the by, it's a huge problem that I see in training, when dogs are all allowed to be together 24/7 at home, never spend any time on their own, and then they are brought out individually for training, they fold. Especially when it is a pack of females.
 
I had never intended to breed Freddie so spaying her was not an issue. I wanted to keep her intact until she was at least 2. Her second heat got on my last nerve between her singing love songs to Rudy and vice versa.
 
I’m living this at the moment. Until 2 days ago it was no problem, they could sit in the same room, her on a lead next to OH and Scout on the sofa with me. She is now rampant and desperate to get to him. (She’s had 2 litters), he’s got very uptight but they are not having access so there’s no bonking risk and he’d never lift a leg in the house. She has marked, once. One of them is now kennelled and the other in the house. Or now they are both in, he’s shut in one room and she’s in a cage in another.

I’m not sure where this universe is that all entire animals will procreate… what happened to closed doors/ cages/ responsibility? Just keep them apart for a few days?

She will be spayed anyway, after this one. He will not be neutered. Although I do threaten him with a lamb ring at times.
 
We will eventually have at least 1 of each entire in the house as we have been bitten by the showing bug.

The plan is to crate and rotate with one upstairs and one downstairs. If needs be he can go to my mums but knowing what his dad and grandad were like I'm hopeful he will be equally uninterested in girls.
 
It’s so interesting to see how contentious this subject has been, I was expecting (hoping for) a few hints and tips to navigate the situation when it occurs- I hadn’t realised that the idea of keeping my dog entire could cause such outrage!

The bitch will absolutely be spayed when she is old enough. We aren’t in the position to breed a litter ourselves, our jobs don’t allow for the huge amount of time and dedication that a litter deserves.

The dog will remain entire unless he gives us a reason to change our minds. He absolutely won’t be bred from unless he can prove that his DNA will be a worthy addition to his breed. That includes having good results from all of his health tests, keeping his wonderful temperament and also proving himself as a useful working dog in the field (he also won’t be bred to any bitch that doesn’t also meet the same exacting standards!). He’s still too young for us to make the call so the balls stay for now!

Thankfully neither me or my husband are the types to take any risk whatsoever when it comes to our dogs!

I do really appreciate all of the input from both sides, it’s been really interesting!
 
Slightly off topic, but met a young woman yesterday, about 5 minutes after we saw what turned out to be her dog disappearing into the distance over the fields. We told her where it had gone and she said it keeps running off lately, no idea why. Then adds, I do wonder if it’s because she’s in season?

So don’t worry about keeping the puppies down, there will always be plenty out there. Sigh.
 
I see you've had a lot of answers already but I have 2 entire male spaniels and a unspayed spaniel bitch in the house.

When she comes into season they have no interest at first, although they're kept separate, her crate is moved into the hallway and there is 2 doors between them. Its only really a issue is at the key fertile stage during her season. They might cry and the springer goes off his food but it only lasts a couple of days, 3 max. As soon as it started, its all over and they've forgotten about it. Both dogs have been bred previously as well.

I have no plans to neuter either boys, but will spay the bitch at some point due to pyometra risk. Good luck with your new pup if you decide to go for it :)

ETA, either have ever peed in the house. As others say, you have to be firm with them.
 
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my entire GSD chewed his way through a wooden door and ripped a load of carpet up trying to get to my in season GSD girl... luckily we got home before he'd got through the next door. He had to go and live with a relative until her season finished and she was spayed the following year...
 
4 whole males and one female
She stays in a tall puppy play pen with a nappy on
Boys can whine at her all they want but I’ll catch them mid jump before they get there
Usually first season for a boy is their worst
They calm down a lot for next one when they learn the rules but mine have never served a female so easier in that regard
 
I would honestly spay your bitch early, chances of getting a Pyo are high, and also the male dog tormenting her, marking everything and being a general nuisance will be less if she is spayed.
Im a vet nurse with over 10 years, and you can spay as young as 6 months with no ill effect. Giant breeds we leave until 10 months, but most bitch's don't have a season pre that.

I am a huge advocate for if they don't need them, get rid.
I have seen far too many entire bitches come in extremely sick due to owners thinking they were better off entire. Some never made it off the operating table.
 
blackcob said:
Assisting Decision-Making on Age of Neutering for 35 Breeds of Dogs: Associated Joint Disorders, Cancers, and Urinary Incontinence

I am as jaded as the previous poster about horrible and preventable pyos coming in (and always the clients with no money, amirite?) and am broadly still in favour of neutering in most situations but I will never again spay early and recommending 10 months for a giant breed is nuts.
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I think its varying for each clinic. The first clinic I worked in we spayed giant breeds anywhere from 10-12 months(My greyhound was done at 10 months and shes huge).
Another clinic was defo 12-24 months.

Dont even get me started on Pyos. My sisters 12 month old Boxer recently came in with a open pyo...at 12 months old!!
 
blackcob said:
Assisting Decision-Making on Age of Neutering for 35 Breeds of Dogs: Associated Joint Disorders, Cancers, and Urinary Incontinence

I am as jaded as the previous poster about horrible and preventable pyos coming in (and always the clients with no money, amirite?) and am broadly still in favour of neutering in most situations but I will never again spay early and recommending 10 months for a giant breed is nuts.
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I don't recommend any spay before 12 months unless Owner isn't responsible/rescue stipulated
 
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