If you do it before first heat then your dog will have remarcably less risk to have malignant tumors in mammal glands later on. BUT your dog will be more puppy-like her whole life. If you do it after first heat, your dog will have time to grow up more and will be more like adult. The risk for tumors will rise but not too much. If you do it later, your dog will be like adult, behave like adult. But there is no difference in risks. Plus the younger the dog is the higher is the risk to have incontience problems later (unable to control peeing - is able to control by hormonal therapy).
Up to you. If you just don't want to worry about heats but still want to work with your dog plus your idea isn't to reduce the risk of tumors, then I would suggest after 2nd heat. If you have family pet who will never be shown and who will not do 'serious' work, then I would say before first heat. Up to you.....
I have always been told that the best was to wait until after the first heat.
Besides many vets here in Belgium won't perform the surgery prior to the dog's first heat.
Saskia
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