[selzer]

Having many dogs and just me, if one or two or three bitches are in heat, they get to stay home. They are not "locked up" but they are in their kennels. Because I have the kennels and near field, and far field securely fenced, I can let them run while I am out there and not worry about them being molested by and scurvy mutt.

If I had just one or two dogs, it may be a whole other story, especially if I was training them for something like SAR. The down time, might be too much. They do not HAVE to stay down, but it does make it much easier with regards to suiters.

I have seen a guy walking his bitch with a baseball bat. Uhm, I will just leave mine at home for a few weeks, and no foul.

Lots of people with fewer dogs remark how theirs needs their walk every day. Mine have never gotten a walk every day so it really is not hard on them to wait until they are out of heat. I can see how it can be a real pain for other people, so I think spaying for convenience is a valid reason to spay. It seems that both ways there are risks involved, risks to spaying and risks to not spaying, which leaves it down to a personal decision.

I do not think anyone should be berated for not spaying or spaying. My only pet peeve is people using the "roaming dog/bitch" reason for getting a dog speutered, or for strongly encouraging everyone else to do so, especially when they get angry if you decide not to do so.