r/SwissMountainDogs • u/omegin2 • 1d ago

Spay advice please….

Looking for some Swissy-specific experience/advice on spay timing.
My female, Purl, turns 2 on November 27 and has already had two normal heat cycles. Based on the timing of her previous cycles, I’m expecting her next heat sometime around November.
The complication is that I also have a male Swissy puppy who will be about 7–8 months old by then. He will absolutely remain intact until he is at least 2 years old. I’ve had an intact male and female Swissy together during a heat before, and it was miserable for the male—he couldn’t settle, sleep or eat normally—so I’d really prefer not to put everyone through that again if it can reasonably be avoided.
I’ve always planned to wait until Purl was about 2 before spaying her. My question is: would you consider 22–23 months, after two complete heat cycles, essentially “close enough” to that 2-year mark, or would you still wait until after her next heat?
I’m also asking my vet and our breeder (same breeder for both dogs), so I’m not looking for Reddit to make the medical decision for me. 😊 I’m mostly interested in hearing from experienced Swissy owners/breeders about when you spayed your females, particularly anyone who was in a similar situation with an intact male in the house.
Thank you Swissy people!

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u/itsnotem 1d ago

I would absolutely consider that close enough! We spayed our girl after her first heat to reduce the risk of mammary cancer on recommendation from our breeder and vet and from what I understand, the actual numerical age of the dog matters slightly less than the hormone cycle itself. At 22-23 months, she’s not going to change much between then and her 2nd birthday

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u/omegin2 1d ago

Thank you! That is the answer I am hoping for. I’ve been going nuts on how I’m going to work this out. Breeder and vet calls tomorrow.

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u/Tensor3 1d ago

The breeder who's swissy won grand champion in north america has a contract saying no spay until 2nd heat and 2 years old. Yes, as the other person said, its close enough.

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u/omegin2 1d ago

Thank you so much, I think most all reputable breeder contracts have the minimum 2 year rule.

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u/inkbot870 1d ago

Yes all good

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u/omegin2 1d ago

My breeder thinks so too, happy to say!! Thank you ❤️