Labs mature slower than smaller dogs -- our lab went into heat for the first time when she was almost a year old.

We had our first lab mix spayed at 5 1/2 months- and the vet said she was on the verge of going into heat. He did indicate that was a little unusual.

Our second lab mix we had spayed at 5 days shy of 6 months. That vet had no comment on her maturity or lack thereof.

If 6 months is the rule, aim for the earliest time they will accept her as 6 months old and hold your breath- there isn't much else you can do! You and Annabelle will get through this one way or another.

There's no reason to wait for 6 months. I prefer to get them younger as they recover faster. Also, if the estimate is wrong and she does have a heat cycle her chances of getting breast cancer later in life go from less than 0.1% to 12%, which is a pretty high jump in risk IMHO. I have no idea why some vets insist on waiting. There is no data to support it, and in fact a lot of data to support early spay/neuter.

I agree with Meghane. The American Veterinary Association has said for years that it is quite acceptable to spay as young as 8 weeks old. For males, neutering is as soon as the testicles have descended - approx. 8 wks old.

The recovery time for a younger pup is much much quicker. Most are up and playing the next day.

Heats also vary among every breed and WITHIN the breed itself. There is NO hard and fast rule.

Think of it like this: Remember in school when one girl would get her period way before the others her age? One girl may be 12 and another 16.

Dogs and cats are no different in that respect. One may go into heat as young as 4 or 5 months old, while another may not until they are nearly a year old. You do NOT want to take that chance.

I agree with everything that has been said to me BUT I can't make them spay her before they think they should.With that being said I'm using a mobile spay/neuter clinic from Fl that rolls into town and parks at the Tactor supply.It will be here 9-9 and she already has a appointment for that morning.Thanks!