After looking at my GSD female and trying to be objective, I found she is cowhocked ( stands like a duck in back). As much as I love her disposition, she shouldn't be bred. Can I think that as a spayed female my son can show her in AKC obedience and 4H, but can you still show Shutzhund with a spayed female? training wise at six monthes we are still starting with tracking and focus work. Thanks for being patient with the newbie!

Also, is 47 lbs at six monthes a normal weight when I can see her waist?

You can still trial her spayed... But she's a baby. Let her grow up first! You'll get conflicting opinions. I don't spay/neuter my dogs, even if I don't plan to breed them. But if you're going to do it for convenience then let her fully mature first, and go through at least one but ideally two heats. The "health benefits" of spaying are negligible. Feed her a good diet, keep her safe from physical harm, and she'll live a nice long life whether you spay early, late, or not at all.

Oh, and as far as weight... There is no "normal weight" really. You should be able to see her last two rib bones when she is rested, more if she is breathing heavily from a good run. You should also be able to relatively easily feel her spine, but not SEE it from a distance. She should have a tuck-up and when viewed from above should have a waist. Good luck! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

We spayed our female just before she was 3yrs. old. Then she gained about 15 pounds that she didn't need <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Finally got her down to a better weight <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Just my JMHO but I wouldn't spay until at least 2yrs. So she can get all the hormones for growing.

I looked at the schutzhund rules listed on this website and there is no mention about spayed dogs compeating. I assume I still could compeate. Also, would it be better to spay and possibly stunt her growth since she is cow hocked? Whould this put less stress on her hind end in the long run? what exersizes can I do with her that would help but not stress her hips? It's a fuzzy line to know what is too much or not enough exersize. I am finding the more I read and try to learn, the more questions I have. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dawn, she is still growing & may not be cowhocked when she is done! Yes, you can compete in sch with an altered dog, but I think what the other posters have said about at least waiting until she is a couple of years old is extremely important!

Also just HAVE to add...

You don't sound very experienced at all. Now, dog breeding is serious business. You may one day be a GREAT breeder and inexperience is never to be insulted... But it should be recognized. You seem to have limited understanding of dogs' development, physiology, and I imagine also working ability.

Enjoy your pup, get out with her and do some wonderful things in whatever competitive venue you choose, but don't have such a focus to breed that you lose sight of everything else. Not every nice pet should be bred, and you will hear of breeders that only after 3 or 4 YEARS of blood, sweat, and tears decide a dog is not breedworthy for some reason (physical, temperamental) and they do what is best for the BREED by not adding them to the gene pool.

If you become a responsible breeder, which I believe anyone has the ability to be, you will think of this puppy first as a learning project to raise, train, perhaps even breed-survey... Even if you never actually breed her.

Take care! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have to agree with you on this. I am learning that the more I read the dumber I feel. I am looking at this as a learning dog, but I had hoped (too idealistically) that this was a pup worth breeding down the line. Who strikes gold the first time they try? But for learning schutzhund I have been reading that I should not spay her until she is 18 to 24 monthes. It does leave the door open for pregnancies. In the begining we had wanted a dog to add to home safty with barking like hell if someone were to try to get into the house and be an added presence. As a spayed dog, she will be able to do this either way. I am thinking that I will be able to still learn sch training and go to trials, but she will most likely be a well trained pet who may or may not make sch 1. I see it as if I am willing to do learn this just for the love of it, it is still worth it. Ruth loves the training and time we spend together as much as I do. What I can learn now will only help me later.

yeah, dawn!!
you have the attitude to go a long way. spay her if she needs it, but allow her the time to grow up and learn with you. that's what i'll end up doing with my boy, i'm sure: he'll be the second/third/ fourth of a long line of "teaching" dogs. i won't neuter him til he's 24 months old, but i certainly will at that point if it's called for (poor guy--don't tell him, ok? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.

but you go--i think you're on the right track, and you're CERTAINLY on the right forum.