Come tell me at what age your lab bitches came into heat

[ItsMeAndMyPuppyNow]

I can only get my puppy spayed at 7 months old, for various reasons.

Am scared shitless that she will come into heat before then. She spends time alone in the garden that a dog could conceivably get into if he wanted to jump down a 3-metre drop, so I would have to lock her indoors in August. I also cannot imagine how miserable she would be, and how much she would tear up my home, if she was kept from walks for 3 weeks.

So come and scare me some more with your tales or early puberty.

*of

any time from 6 months onwards for season. I would be more worried about your dog getting out of the garden rather than entire males getting in.

If you are careful it really isnt that bad. My bitch came into season when she was nearly 8 months and it was fine. All she wanted to do was stay near me and my boydog was fine with her. (he is 'done') I was always with her when she was in the garden and made sure she had exercise in the garden.

Do not take your puppy out and about when in season. That is a disaster waiting to happen, and yes some people do it.

I'd be more worried that your dog is alone in the garden. If a dog can get in then so can a determined burglar. An unspayed young pedigree bitch would be a gift for a puppy farmer or just for an unscrupulous reseller. You are also placing your neighbours in a potentially difficult position if she starts barking and howling, plus she may find it hot and uncomfortable on summer days.

Please reconsider this and keep her in the house, with regular toilet breaks. If you can't be with her then get a dog walker, neighbour, friend or relative to come in and give her regular toilet breaks, company and so on. A dog this young should be having company as part of the socialisation/training process.

Your reply is off-topic and I find it quite judgey, Scuttle.
A simple "8 months" or whatever would have sufficed for this particular OP.

The day I describe my dog's schedule, my neighbours' opinion of her, and my garden wall particulars in detail and canvas opinions on that, your post will of course be appropriate.

(what am I saying: Scuttle's post as it stands wouldn't be appropriate since all the things she has no information on and infers are wrong.)

I'd be more worried that your dog is alone in the garden. If a dog can get in then so can a determined burglar. An unspayed young pedigree bitch would be a gift for a puppy farmer or just for an unscrupulous reseller.

I couldn't agree more.

DOG THEFT IS RIFE - have a look here.

You've said your pup spends time alone in the garden. I think my inferences are therefore entirely appropriate and are based on concern for your dog. Believe me, dog theft is a very real issue. Take a look at www.dogtheftaction.com/home/ for an up to date picture of the national situation and security advice for dog owners.

Oh look, a WOHM/SAHM style bunfight!

Oh, who among us holds the gospel on The One True Way To Raise Your Dogs? I'm dying to bow down to it and base all my decisions on it.

Or how about this for a shocking proposition: I love my dog and am a damn good, well-informed, and responsible dog owner, as I am sure are you. She is happy and well-adjusted and well cared for, as I am sure are yours. Exactly how our respective dogs got to that state is our own damn business.

Now, do you have any Labrador bitches and how old were they when came into heat?

ItsMe, you appear to have taken offence where none was made. May I point out too that whilst it may be in my nature to piss people off without caring what they think of me if I think the are behaving unacceptably or dangerously wrt dogs, it isn't ScuttleButter's - at least not in the years that I've "known" her on MN.

Both ScuttleButter and I are involved in rescue and dog welfare campaigns from our respective parts of the Uk and as a result we encounter an awful lot of dog theft. I'm damn sure I can speak for ScuttleButter by saying that our concern is purely for the safety of your dog.

A 3 metre high wall is no deterrent to the determined thief, not when there's thousands and thousands of pounds to be made by breeding your dog from her first season and every 6 months thereafter and selling the pups... except one, which they will breed from and then sell her pups... except one, which they will breed from...

IT HAPPENS. Make no mistake about it.

I know how much the people in the doghouse care about dog welfare and I am one of those people too.

You know nothing of my exact location or circumstances. The reason I am not responding to the theft comments, or neighbour comments, etc is that they are not relevant to my dog's and my situation (...and also totally off-topic on this thread).

Seriously. I am not irresponsible. I just wanted to know when your Labrador bitches came into heat...

I would think it's unlikely your bitch will be in season before 7 months, possible but unlikely. As a general rule, the smaller the breed the earlier the season. As labs are large breed I'd guess around 9 months plus, but this is only a guess. Just like humans some reach puberty earlier than others so there is no way of acurately predicting it.

I don't have labs, but a similar size breed and it's never been earlier than 9 months for us. Of course other posters will tell you it was 7 months or 13 months and all will be right, it is just so varied, depending on exactly your bitches internal plumbing maturity!

I didn't suggest that you are irresponsible. Neither did ScuttleButter.

You're right, I know sod all about your location and circumstances - but like ScuttleButter I do know a hell of a lot about dog theft and abuse - most likely far more than you do, given your lack of basic knowledge about a Lab's first season - and that dog theft hits all areas regardless of location.

Unlike ScuttleButter I'm not particularly tolerant when a friendly warning is received with such unpleasantness. Your responses to ScuttleButter have been very touchy and aggressive and there really is no justification for being so bloody rude to her.

No wonder it's you and your puppy now.

My bitch was spayed at 9 months - no sign of a season .

I think the bigger the dog the later they start season.

I also would be worried about your dog getting out of the garden - I believe bitches in season will also want to find the opposite sex .

Off topic - if you mention things in your inital post then expect people to comment on them , if you dont what people to comment just ask the question required .

hang on, since when do people post on a public forum and dictate what people can and cant say. you dont have to agree with replies or follow any advice given but there was absolutely no need to be so rude to someone who was kindly taking the time to help your dog

"well-informed, and responsible dog owner" really? instead of listening to advice on dog theft and thinking about your dog's safety when she is left alone in the garden you decide to attack those seeking to help

Low blow, Dogsbestfriend, low blow.

I still call off-topic sanctimony where I see it.

My golden was 15 months . Vet said it wasn't that unusual although I expected it to be much earlier. We are having her spayed within the next 2 months (she will be 18 months then)