We do not plan to breed our female English Labrador and would like to know when it would be best to have her spayed. She is currently 6 months old.
My vet always said after first heat. I have had 3 girls, all done at this time with no problems. All lived to a ripe old age.
My girl is 10 months just had her first season and being done in January, as vet said wait until 3 months after first season. My other lab was done before her first season and is now 10, no issues
We are going through this with Jenny right now. She just started her first heat, and is scheduled for her spay in April.
I’ve had neutered dogs in the past but not neutered my current dog who is now 5. I wanted to work out what is best for her. She is terrified at the vets and I felt therefore I couldn’t give her an operation she didn’t really need. Our vets agree it would be very distressing for her. We can manage her season safely and just walk her on the lead where no dogs are off lead. She also copes very well with her seasons and is actually very sweet during them and it not agitated at all. There are benefits from letting your dog have a couple of seasons in terms of bone/ joint development and also a few other benefits . You do always have to keep the risk of pyometria in mind and be watching after a season. So let her become and adult and have at least one season and see what is right for her and you perhaps ?