Will Spaying an 8-year-old Female Change Her Personality?
By hofferp
@hofferp (4734)
United States
March 22, 2010 9:12pm CST
In October 2009, I lost my 8-year-old Sheltie, Reecie. It was too lonely for the remaining Sheltie, Sundance, and me, so I looked at the shelters and Sheltie rescue facilities thoughout the SW (USA). I finally got an 8-year-old Sheltie, Emily, who had been used for breeding, but was no longer able to breed. On Friday, I'm planning to take Emily in to be spay. I've heard if you neuter a male, his personality changes. I'm wondering will the same happen with Emily. She has such a sweet disposition, I'd hate it if she changed. Do you have any experience with spaying an older dog? Did her personality change? What can I expect, besides she's not going to bounce back like a puppy would? Thank you for your thoughts.
3 people like this
7 responses
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
23 Mar 10
Don't worry! You're doing the right thing by getting her spayed.
She will keep her sweet disposition. When I first got my cat I had to get her spayed and she was just as sweet after the operation. Same with my dog Sam--when we found him he was not fixed and he was EXTREMELY sweet. He is still just as goofy and lovable as ever! He was playing and running the same day of the operation.
She may or may not bounce back like a younger animal would, but (unless the vet says otherwise) she'll survive the operation easily and will feel better after it! Your young lady there may still have a good 5+ years in her, and this will "improve her quality of life."
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
23 Mar 10
Thanks, LilyoftheThorns. It's been bothering me whether I'm doing the right thing. But I had to do something, because Sundance isn't neutered (my next big decision) and Emily will be coming in to heat in the next two months. It's get one or both fixed or puppies. Thanks, again, for your comments.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
23 Mar 10
It's really better for all animals to get fixed because when they are in heat, they are SOOOO uncomfortable. Once they are fixed and no longer go through those uncomfortable times, they'd be soo much happier!
I applaud you for your decision! I wish more people would fix their pets and not breed them!
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Mar 10
I'm thinking she'll be extremely grateful! 
Seriously, it's been a lot of years, but I do recall getting our dog spayed after she had had a few litters, and I don't recall that her disposition changed. She wasn't quite as old as your dog though.
Seriously, it's been a lot of years, but I do recall getting our dog spayed after she had had a few litters, and I don't recall that her disposition changed. She wasn't quite as old as your dog though.
@Bad_Daddy55 (497)
• Canada
24 Mar 10
With a female dog that old the only thing that might happen is she will quiet down a bite. I had a Bouvier female spade at 6 years after her second litter and things stayed the same. She was just like she was before the operation.
To be sure check with breeders of Shelties by going to the AKC CKC and get in contact with them..
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
25 Mar 10
Mine isn't 8 but she is 2. I have recently had her spayed and so far she hasn't changed a bit. I have heard that it makes them gain weight and be lazy but when I discussed this with the vet, he said I shouldn't see a lot of difference in her. I hope not..I love her personality.
@nangisha (3495)
• Indonesia
24 Mar 10
I don't really think male dog will change his personality if sprayed, its only reduces his aggressiveness and likely go from home when heat to search for female. I better to spay your dog for they own safety and I think Emily has been breed for many time and now its good time to stop. My family vet say its better to breed female dog once before sprayed to avoid ovarian cancer.
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
24 Mar 10
Yes, Emily's had three litters that I know of, but she lost the last two. I think that's why the breeder stopped breeding her, besides she's getting rather old. I had heard the same thing about letting a female breed once, or at least go in to heat, before spaying. Thanks for your comments.
