At what age?

[MuleShack]

Do females start their first heat cycle?

My lab will be 6 months first week of November and that is going to be the ideal time (for us) to make an appointment to get her spayed. I remember the vet suggesting we get in by mid october because after the first cycle you loose a bunch of health benefits of doing it...not to mention the time until it can be done after the cycle.

The question is will I be pushing it waiting for another 2 weeks? I realize that not all dogs are the same, but what is the average age 6 mos, 7 mos?

[MNpurple]

All dogs can be very different and some may get it as early as 6 months but in general I would say that 8 month age range and beyond you could expect it at any time. Mine and my sisters labs are from the same parents just one litter apart. My dog was fixed at 13 months and had not gotten her first cycle yet and her dog was 7 months when it got its first cycle. In other words, to be safe, get it done ASAP.

[crothmeier]

i had mine done at 6 months, no cycle yet.

[YoMan]

My choc had her first at 8 months..

The weird thing is she got her second at 11 month, right before duck opener.. I sat out pheasant opener.. Im getting her fixed in the spring.

[rmkod]

I would wait until she goes through at least one heat cycle. Dogs spayed early are more prone to ACL injury's and incontinence. Vets are quick to tell you the benefits of spaying, but there are negatives as well.

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

[MuleShack]

Interesting read.

always something to worry about...

[rmkod]

Here is another interesting article

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf