Thanks wolfsoul for your reply. I have every intention of spaying her before she goes into heat. We adopted Sadie from the pet store who in turn works with the SPCA and she has to be spayed. I was just wondering, actually hoping, she wouldn't come into heat before she is "schedule" to be spayed. As for the cancer and other disease's....is this "normal" for shepherds? We had a shepherd as kids, but that was it and I don't remember anyone telling us about being sick or worse. Is it mostly with female dogs? We've had dogs all our lives, but Sadie is our newest.