Urinary incontinence, an uncontrolled urine leakage during the storage phase of micturition,is a common condition in female dogs. In intact bitches, the reported prevalence is only 0.2-0.3%,but in spayed bitches it varies between 3.1-20.1%. Most commonly, dogs with acquired urinaryincontinence suffer from urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. This condition seems tobe multifactorial, and although the exact pathophysiology remains unclear, potential risk factorsinclude gender, gonadectomy, breed, body weight, urethral length and bladder neck position. Indaily practice, the diagnosis of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence is usually made aftereliminating other potential causes of urinary incontinence. Incontinent bitches are primarilytreated with medications, such as alpha-adrenergic drugs, e.g. phenylpropanolamine and oestrogens.Surgery is recommended when patients become refractory to medical treatment.