Best Age to have a female puppy spayed

[Miss Ellie]

I would like to hear your thoughts on the best age to have a female pup spayed?  I have read so many articles and can honestly say I more now confused than ever.  I want to make the best decision and am hoping to get advice from others who have already been through this. Until recently I had always heard that it was best to do this around 6-7 months old...but the vet we are going to now does not want to do it until around 14 months of age. Please help!

[Sally S Miles]

I have always been under the same impression - generally at the age when they have ceased most of their growing and the platelets have slowed.  Large dogs often need more time for that to transpire.   When we got our girl last year I read up on delayed age, early spay, and all the way through it all.  I read European studies, UCDavis, and yes it confused the issue. There seems to be a vote on all corners.    I've met breeders who insist on a dog being past first heat prior to spay. I've met others who say six weeks old is fine.  My vet and I agreed that seven months was plenty for our standard size gal - if she had advised otherwise I probably would have sought other thoughts.  If you disagree with the vet then find another vet, I would certainly ask for the reasoning.

[Miss Ellie]

Thanks Sally...I appreciate your advice greatly!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A lot depends on the expected adult size of the dog. The smaller the dog, the earlier their skeletal growth is complete and the safer it is to spay or neuter in terms of possible orthopedic issues. 

Did your vet give you reasons as to why he/she wants to wait until your pup is 14 months old?

[Miss Ellie]

Thanks Karen.  She said it had something to do with growth plates.  Ellie is a smaller build doodle.  Her expected wait is suppose to be around 40lbs....at the maximum 50lbs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Far be it from me to disagree with a vet, lol, but her growth plates will be closed way before 14 months. Before her first birthday, in fact. 

[Miss Ellie]

My apologies everyone.  I seem to have posted this question twice on the main page in my attempt to edit a mistake.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Meg was spayed at 4 months before we got her.  Current vet just spayed Polly today (also 4 months), Meg is a large doodle and we expect Polly to get close to the same size but time will tell.

[Miss Ellie]

Wonderful...thanks Judy...hope Polly is doing well after her spay!

[Heather]

I spayed my Ellie at eight and a half months. The vet wanted to make sure the growth plates were closed, but wanted to do it before her first Heat. Good Luck~

[Miss Ellie]

Much appreciated Heather!

[Heather]

:)))

[Vicki innes]

Our breeder had Billie spayed at 6 weeks she has been breeding doodles for 10 years and spays all companion pups before going to their families,