I have an 8 month old GSD, and she is naturally raised.

I plan to have her fixed after her first cycle, but not before 10 months at least.

It seems bitch puppies have their first cycle around 7 months of age. That is based on my personal experience with other dog owners.

Janka has not shown signs of showing sexual (im)maturity. I will guess and say being raw fed delays the estrus cycle. For those who have raised raw-fed dogs for a few years, if there is an average age where the puppies will go into heat.

And yes, I am aware of the inconveniences within and without having a female in heat.

Input appreciated.

~ Rei

My personal experience has been a first heat at 9 months with my raw-fed, naturally raised bitch.

I have seen kibble-fed females with a first heat at 12 months.

Not so sure of a correlation specifically with raw-feeding and estrus.

Katie

Thanks, Katie. Appreciate your feedback.

Hi,

I only have 2 females that I can fully remember their heat cycles, one went into their first heat at 6 months the other at 10 months. Each had a cycle according to their first heat, meaning one when into heat again every 6 months the other every 10 months. I don't know of any correlation between raw/kibble feed and estrus cycles. Even with animals or human's, sexual maturity and estrus cycles vary from animal to animal or person to person. One dog was spayed at 6 years the other is not spayed (she is 2.5 years old).

Kimberly

Hello Kimberly,

Thanks.

I was advised to spay Janka after 9 months by her breeder, to allow hormones to play its vital role in her growth and development. I would like to wait till she is closer to 1. Are you, by any chance, waiting for Sonya to reach full maturity before fixing her? I understand some GSDs might take up to 2-3 years to fully mature. Or will you be leaving her in a natural state? On the other hand, there are others who say spaying later might cause cancers later in life. I am taking that info with a huge pinch of salt.

I will try to find the information for you, if you like.

Another point I had in mind but just didn't feel like bringing it up is, most meat on the market is pumped with hormones and antibiotics. These chemicals are causing children to go through their menstrual cycles at an earlier age, as shown by research.

I wonder what does will mean for raw fed dogs ... not that the meat that goes into kibble are chemical-free, unless state so.

~ Rei

My kibble-dobe had her first cycle when she was a bit over 11 months that is pretty late I guess.

IMHO, 9 months seems early to consider spaying unless there is a health issue or the dog is potentially left to roam unsupervised.

I feel my female GSD is just reaching full physical and mental maturity now as she approaches 3 years old.

Here is a great article that highlights health-related pros and cons of spaying and neutering.

Health Risks and Benefits of Spay/Neuter in Dogs

Katie

Rei,

I wasn't planning on spaying Sonya (she is 2.5 years old now)unless I felt it was necessary. My other dog was spayed only because she started to have behavior issues (depression and aggression) with her heat cycle, but spaying can also increase the aggression in a female so I was left with a tough decision. But now she is more happy go lucky so it was the right decision for her.

Many people spay because they think it is messy, but Sonya was taught to clean up after herself around the house. Her behavior doesn't change much and I never had a intact female dog get pregnant so I believe no unplanned litters will be occurring. Any pro's from spaying her now (mammary cancer) has decreased that the cons of spaying put her more at risk for other problems, IMO.

With the hormones in meat thing , I believe chicken is hormone free by law and is some cases (like Tyson has) are antibiotic free. You can buy organic meat at specialty shops and if you go towards closing you can bargain prices with the butchers, IME.

With any medium to large breed dog their time to reach full growth maturity is about 2 years old, so holding off on spaying for growth purposes has to be done close to that age as far as I know, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Kimberly

I'm not convinced that it's entirely dietary although I'm sure diet can influence to a certain point.

My papillon bitch Misty went very late and had her first heat at 19 months old and has proceeded after that to go into heat about every 8 months.