Spaying or Neutering

Spaying is the sterilization by removing the ovaries & uterus of females, while neutering is the removal of the testicles of males. The advantages of spaying & neutering are numerous. With the epidemic of unwanted pets in our nation, spaying & neutering is necessary to reduce the occurance of unwanted pregnancy. Responsible pet owners take a proactive approach in ensuring that their dog is healthy and are not part of the problem of pet overpopulation. Females who are spayed before their 1st heat cycle, have a 99.9% reduced risk of mammary cancer. Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and prostate disease. Both males and females will not develop the negative behaviors associated with being intact if spayed/neutered before maturity or by 6 months of age. Females will not blow their coats with hormonal changes, males will not mark their territory by hiking their leg on everything in sight. Intact females also mark their territory and I even have females who lift their leg on things just like males!

At Crooked Creek Terriers, families who adopt a puppy agree to spay/neuter by 6 months of age. They place a deposit that is refunded upon proof of alteration by 6 months of age. I generally recommend neutering at 3-5 months of age, and spaying at 5-6 months of age. Some vets recommend early spaying/neutering as early as 8-16 weeks. This website gives a great over view of spaying & neutering. http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_SpayDay.php "Pets can become capable of reproduction as early as 6 months of age, so it is important to spay and neuter pets by that age. Early spay/neuter starting at 8 weeks of is endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Humane Society of the United States, the American Kennel Club, the Cat Fanciers Association, the American Humane Association and many other organizations. As long as a pup weighs more than two pounds and is 8 weeks old, he or she can be neutered or spayed."

Libby Retired & Current Happenings

The puppies are all home and all is quiet again. They all had happy homecomings and are keeping their families busy with puppyhood! Libby retired to her forever home last week and she's doing wonderfully! She's a resident of Chicago now, and has a 6mo old Cairn brother. They sound like they're having a great time and it's been the perfect forever home for her. It's amazing how those homes come along that are just the "right" home for a particular dog or puppy. Chloe is recooperating from her last litter and will be available for adoption in the next couple months.

We're watching for the next breedings to take place in the next month or so. The young girls are maturing very nicely and they'll be ready to have their first litter this winter. We've been so busy, I haven't gotten the new photos like I've been planning. But now that puppies are home, maybe I can find time to play photographer. It's certainly a job I enjoy!