Spay at 6.5 months

[Kim Fine]

Hi, Honey is scheduled to be spayed in a few weeks and she will be just about 6.5 months. Wondering if there's a chance of her going into heat before then. I know of course there is always a chance but I'm hoping she doesn't. When did your doodles get spayed and if they had a heat before then, how old were they for the first one? I've read the average is 6-12 months but that is a big range. Honey is about 35 pounds at 6 months. Thanks!
Kim 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Minis are usually going to have a first heat at a younger age than standards, as they reach sexual maturity earlier. I had a Miniature Poodle and a miniature Schnoodle, the Schnoodle had a first heat at 6 months old, the Poodle was spayed at 6 months and had not yet had a first heat. Since your girl is considerably bigger, i'd say she probably will not go into heat before her spay, but you never know. 

[Amy and Annabelle]

Annabelle is a 16lb mini. She was spayed at 6 months. I was so worried she would go into heat before her surgery. I live in the country, and had visions of her being in heat and us being attacked by every loose male dog within a 5 mile radius, while on our early morning potty walk. Luckily, it never happened. My vet at the time would not do spays before 6 months, and 1 year for large dogs.

[Haley, Yeti, and Phin]

Just curious why you want her spayed before her first heat? (Sorry if this is a stupid question lol)

[Amy and Annabelle]

I live out in the country. I would take her out for potty break in the early morning and late night darkness by myself. If she was in heat, we would be vulnerable to being attacked by male dogs and no one would hear us. I have heard they can smell a dog in heat for miles away. I have a dog, but I am still scared of dogs I don't know. Always have been, always will be. So for me, that was a huge issue. Where I live, most dogs are for hunting or protection and stay outside with no fence. It is scary anyway, without having the scent of a dog in heat drawing them in. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

I would guess 10 months to a year old.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

We had Charlotte spayed a week or two before she turned six months. This was at the recommendation of our vet and breeder, who both advised us to wait as long as possible, but to have the surgery done before her first heat cycle. I think that female dogs who are fixed before their first heat are less likely to develop breast cancer later in life. And waiting as long as possible before that heat avoids the risk of causing incontinence. 

[Rosie's Family]

Rosie is a year old and 53 pounds. She still hasn't had her first heat. She is going to be spayed next month.