Advice on when to get dog spayed

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

Our dog is 9 months old and has had one season. Vet says it's fine to spay her now. I'd suppose I'd just like some reassurance that it's the right time to do it. She is such a fabulous little thing, really lovely temperament and I'm anxious that this might change her. Should we wait a while longer? Or does it not really matter? First time dog owners so just feeling our way with it and looking for advice. Thanks

What size is she ?
As seasons are generally 6 months apart you really want to do it in the middle, about 3 months after she started a season.
Mine is a small dog and I let her have two seasons, but I would have been happy to do it after one.

And no, it didn’t change her.

I really don’t believe it changes them, my girls were done at 6 months, never had a season and were no different. I work in rescue and all dogs are done at 6mths if young.

What breed?

Small breeds are usually 9-12 months, large breeds need to have at least 2 seasons and giant breeds need to be over 18 months

Some breeds mature later than others, and certainly with larger breeds the advice is to wait until they've finished growing.

Although spaying protects against pyometra, it can predispose a bitch to urinary incontinence. Neutering also has a complex relationship with cancer and joint disorders.

My own approach is to let a bitch grow up first. Once her adult physique and personality have both stabilised, then I'm happy to have her spayed.

She is a smallish breed - Cavalier/Bichon/Shih Tzu mix. It's the possible change in behaviour I'm worried about (someone told me this but they're no expert! It just got me thinking)

There won’t be any change in behaviour.

In fact it can help especially if she normally suffers from phantom pregnancy

I now wait until fully grown and two seasons.

Thank you all so much for your comments (great to get quick replies!)

@Newfluff I think that's what I'd be more comfortable doing. She's never outside alone or off lead so we can deal with another season and do it after that.

All that changed with mine was her coat got fluffier (cocker spaniel).

Dog babygros are really good for this op. Just remember to unpopper then when you let them out. I forgot once, thankfully it was just a wee!

Thankyou, have read about those and will definitely get one before the op.

I have wondered about the change in behaviour too. Although I actually wonder if spaying before first season would be better from a behaviour point of view because they wouldn’t be subjected to the hormone changes of the first season

The consensus on this changes frequently and you will find that advice will vary even from vet to vet.

Pp are correct in saying that large breeds should wait as they mature later. This is true for male dogs also.

I certainly don't see the harm in waiting if that is what you are comfortable with but definitely have her spayed.

I am a vet nurse and have seen advice change in recent years. We definitely advise to spay after first season and the optimum time being three months post season. We don't like to spay during or just before season as everything is more friable and can bleed more, however, its done if there are issues.

It is quite breed specific and there has been a recent study collating data on various breeds but the general consensus is larger breeds are neutered later.

Unlikely to see behavioural changes. Your lovely girl will be your lovely girl just wont have risk of phantom pregnancy or womb infection. I think people used to say it quietens them down as it is usually done at a time when they naturally "grow up" as it were.

You may want to consider laparoscopic/keyhole spay which us considered to have faster recovery times and is less invasive. It usually comes with a hefty surcharge though and doesnt mean that a traditional spay is not good. Not all practices offer this though.

Best to have it done half way between seasons when the hormones are at their lowest & you need to wait till the skeleton has fully developed & so the growing plates have closed. This varies with size & breed.