[canana]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Actually there are some researchers that now advocate waiting until after one heat cycle....I have always advocated waiting until after all the growth plates are set, which usually happens around 8 months of age....you will do more "damage" by having the pup spayed prior to the growth plates being set, than you will by having one period under her belt before she is spayed. If you find you are encountering a heat cycle at 8 months of age, prior to having her fixed, that will not hurt her to wait until she is past per cycle...but you absolutely want her bones and growth plates set and matured before you spay....

Thanks Yorkiemom1! This is the advice I was looking for! I've been told by my breeder that sometimes the first heat is missed and that it can occur anytime from 6 months to 18 months. I definitely want to spay her after her bones and growth plates are set.

Just curious, are there any benefits to wait until 1 year, if she hasn't had her first heat yet? Or is it pretty much certain that by 8 months, her bones are fully developed and can/should be spayed regardless? If no benefit, I'll plan to schedule her spay for 8-9 months, if she's not in heat at that time.