Longevity Forum - Is there a way to contact people who listed their dogs?

[Abby'sMom]

We have a two year old female and have not had her spayed. I have not totally ruled out showing her and/or breeding her. For that reason, I would like her to remain
intact.
I would like to know from some of the people who listed their female's as unspayed, why they chose not to have her spayed? Some of them lived to be 15 or older, so that does prove that you don't have to spay your dog to keep her from getting cancer and dying prematurely.
For the record, I had a female before and we had her spayed and she died from cancer at age 8, so it didn't help her one bit. I am trying to avoid putting my dog through an operation that I don't feel is necessary at this time, but feel pressured from the vet, vet's assistant, family members and some of the members of this forum.

[johnwa]

I assume you mean the Longevity Database? And the answer is no, you can't contact those owners that added records to that database.

Also, the data below is an excerpt from one of the longevity reports. As you can see, there are only 35 unspayed females and their average age at death was 8.8 years. The spayed females had an average of 11.2 years of age. I'm not trying to persuade you either way, I'm just reporting what the other owners reported on the database.

Total Females in this report: 570
Average Age at time of death (All Females): 11.1 years
Total Unspayed Females in this report: 35
Average Age at time of death (Female Unspayed): 8.8 years
Total Spayed Females in this report: 535
Average Age at time of death (Female Spayed): 11.2 years

[elvira]

I had 2 bitches, they are on the list at spayed, but the first was spayed when she was 9 years old, after a phatom pregnacy and a mamaltumor (not sure about the spelling). She lived until allmost 17. Her daughter was spayed when she was 10 due to pymtomia (I'n not sure about the spelling). In Europe dogs and bitches aren't spayed/catrated as much as in th US. I don't want to do surgery on a healty dog. The coat changes and become terrible. You can prevend that they come fat, by giving less food, but they are hungry all the time. My dogs had to be spayed eventually, but I'm glad I have waited as long as possible. If they have problems with the seasons, it's something different. From the litter I bred (6 bitches), only one was spayed at a young age (but I don't think it would be considered young in the states). Non of them died of problems, which could have been prevented with spaying.
I have now 2 males and they aren't catrated either. For males there are no pro's, but many cons.

[CanadianGolden]

My female is not spayed because I show her. She is almost 5.


elvira-
The term you are looking for is pyometra, or uterine infection.


To the OP-

Spaying will prevent uterine and ovarian cancer, and can reduce the risk of cervical and mammary cancer. Spaying has no effect on cancers that are not of the reproductive organs.

[KATERINA & TSOUFI]

I have 2 male Goldens both of them not neutered. First because i show them a lot and second i dont believe in neutering or spaying purebred dogs. I believe in doing it if you have a half breed or a dog that may have some defects, (i hope i am using the right word), like hip displasia or bad teeth etc. I would do that to my boys if my vet told me they had a serious medical problem. I agree with Elvira that in Europe we dont neuter our dogs so much. And i personally dont believe all this talk about cancer. I know a lot of Goldens that died in a very old age and without being neutered. I would personally never use anesthesia for my dogs without a really serious reason. On the other side i believe i am a responsible owner and protect my dogs from "accidents".


Katerina, Tsoufi & Keagan

[CaynCher]

I also have two intact male Goldens ages almost 14yrs & 3yrs. & never any problems concerning them. I have seen cancer in many neutered dogs too. Someone once said, if it isn't broken, don't fix it & that applies to both of my boys. That being said, I am a totally responsible owner as no one has ever seen either of my Goldens outside running loose & unleashed. Where they are, I am always close at hand. For many people, at least in the U.S., spaying/neutering can be in the best interest of all dogs & owners especially if the pets run loose or escape the owners premises.

:dogbark :reddogx

[elvira]

My dogs never walk around on their own, I think that's totally inresponsible. I would be afraid, they were stolen or run over by a car. A few weeks ago a read a memorium page in a canine magazine. 2 dogs died rather young, both during the surgery for spaying. They were spayed for no medical reason.

[Bluelebkuchen]

I have to comment now. I have a problem with anecdotal stories used to sway opinion one way or the other. My grandmother chain smoked for 50 years and lived to a ripe old age. Does this mean smoking is risk free? Large clinical studies show that spaying and neutering is safe, though as with any form of surgery it depends on the skill and competence of the medical team. Spaying is proven to reduce the incidence of certain cancers, as pointed out earlier in this thread. Of course that doesn't mean that every intact female will get cancer, only that their risk is higher. The world is filled with people who would never let their intact dogs out, but accidents happen. Go to your nearest shelter to see the consequences of two purebreds (but from different breeds) getting together. It is heart breaking. Or check the Sunday paper for golden retriever litters. I consistently find between 10 and 20 litters for sale in my community, most from backyard breeders. What happens to all these puppies? With cancer and other health problems escalating in golden retrievers I think we should leave the breeding to the professionals, those who have devoted their lives to improving the breed.

Just my 2 cents
:021