Spaying

[YvonneM]

Megan our lab is 1 year old next week and we are seriously considering having her spayed At what age do ABs think is the best to have this done.. She has been in season just once

[Illyria54]

While a lot of people like to get their bitches spayed at around 6 months I always let mine (GSD's) have one season, wait 3 months or halfway between seasons and get your dog done then.

[jules77]

I agree with Illyria, if you let them have at least one season they get chance to mature. Although I am not in favour of having a bitch speyed as I believe why should we interfere if they are fit and healthy.

Having said that.........I have just had a bitch with a pyometra, and have had to have her speyed anyway, but I am concerned about a change in her behaviour, weight gain, and a change in her coat as in long haired breeds it can make the coat like 'felt', and difficult to maintain.

[lankeela]

I would have her spayed halfway between seasons, i.e. three months after she was last in. I have had bitches done at 6 months and various other ages without any problems.

I can understand what jules says about coats, but with a short coated breed there is not a problem, and it does make life a lot easier, without having to worry about unwanted litters, pyometra or mammary tumours later in life. Just watch her weight, as being a Lab she will no doubt eat for England anyway, and provided you keep her fit and active she should not put on any unnecessary weight.

[Illyria54]

I think that the coat thing happens if the bitch is spayed before maturing, my old aunt had her Springer Spaniel spayed before her first season and her coat was always fluffy like a puppies, my long haired GSD hasn't changed at all.

[YvonneM]

thanks everyone
Megan was 1st on heat in Feb so should be due about September . We have never had our labs done before but the last 3 all had pyometra Megan is trial strain which tend to be taller and leaner than show strain so hopefully controlling her weight should be less of a problem.
My husband is nearing retirement we have bought a touring caravan so we want to be able hook up and go Can't wait for her first trip to the beach my husband bought me a video camera at xmas (how sad) so that I can film her growing up