Quote Originally Posted by lute
Some breeds don't even get their first heat until after 12 months.

Thats another good point Lute!! My bitches are usually close to 12 months before they have their first season, and I have had some as old as 14 months old.... AND my bitches typically come in season every 10 months....

I just don't understand this thing at all... I see it as a waste of money!... if you are a breeder I don't see it as a benefit at all!.. BUT I could see it as possibly causing fertility problems down the line.... you really couldn't say for sure... and a good breeder that knows what they are doing (the only kind of breeder that should be breeding) for the most part shouldn't need to wait a year or more to decide on if a dog is show quality or not. I typically pick my pups that are for showing by 12wks (but I know how the lines I work with mature).... however I picked Paris (CH Spiritwind Barely An Angel) at birth!! Same for Lucy (Ptd. Spiritwind Rumor Has It)...

For a pet person I can't see why they would do this instead of a spay or neuter. Why not just spay or neuter and get it done and over with... so you don't have to keep going back every 6 months (or however long you said it is supposed to last) and spend money on that, instead of a spay???? Also spaying and neutering for pets has other benefits than keeping the dogs from reproducings....